Our relationship with America will become stronger with an initiative that Al-Sudani will announce soon.. Expectations of his advisor
"The business landscape in the country has changed"
Farhad Alaa Al-Din, the Prime Minister’s advisor for foreign affairs, confirmed in an article published in the English-language Emirati newspaper “The National” that Iraq offers great opportunities for American companies in the energy sector, confirming that there are discussions with several companies, including Exxon Mobil and Chevron. He also said that the projects allocated to American companies in the coming years are estimated at tens of billions of dollars, while he expected Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to announce a pioneering financial initiative that he said could change the business landscape in Iraq and strengthen its relationship with the United States.
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The advisor stated that according to the Trading Economics Company, US exports to Iraq in 2023 amounted to $2.26 billion, recording an increase of 230% over 2022, and 280% over 2021, while total agricultural exports alone reached $357 million, which is more than double the figures for 2022 and three times the figures for 2021.
With the change of administration in Washington, many observers expected uncertainty regarding US policy in the Middle East, especially towards Iraq. US President Donald Trump’s priorities clearly focused on domestic issues such as immigration, economic reform, and corporate repatriation. However, his appointment of strong leaders to key foreign policy positions indicated a continued focus on maintaining US influence abroad in general, and in the Middle East in particular.
Mr. Trump and his team have demonstrated their commitment to de-escalation, and their role in helping to broker a ceasefire in Gaza was essential even before the president took office. Mr. Trump has long been engaged in the fight against ISIS, and one of his main campaign promises was the total defeat of the terrorist group.
In a March 2024 interview, he proudly noted his leadership role in the fall of ISIS, saying he “got rid of it.” While the group has been largely physically eliminated in Iraq, where it once held vast territory, it remains a threat in remote areas and now poses a risk of resurgence in Syria, particularly after the collapse of the Assad regime. Clearly, a complete and lasting defeat of ISIS, beyond any chance of recovery, will require, and indeed will be essential, strong cooperation between Iraq and the United States.
Iraq and the United States can share many security, political, and economic issues for mutual benefit. Regionally, Iraq stands out as an anchor of stability and an important player in diplomacy. Under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s “Iraq First” policy, the country has adopted a moderate and inclusive approach that prioritizes shared interests. This position enhances the country’s influence in the region and underscores its importance as a partner for the United States in maintaining stability.
The strong and thriving U.S.-Iraq relationship promotes stability and prosperity in the region, but the U.S.-Iraq relationship extends beyond military and security cooperation, encompassing sectors as diverse as energy, agriculture, education, and economic development. Al-Sudani is currently leading Iraq through an ambitious reconstruction effort, with funding exceeding any allocation in the past two decades.
Iraq offers significant opportunities for U.S. companies in the energy sector, with discussions underway with major companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron, along with initiatives involving General Electric, Baker Hughes, KBR, and Halliburton. Overall, projects for U.S. companies could be worth tens of billions of dollars over the next few years. Financial institutions, including the Export-Import Bank and the International Monetary Fund, have expressed interest in supporting these efforts. Notably, the prime minister is expected to announce a major financial initiative that could change the business landscape in Iraq and further strengthen its relationship with the United States.
American companies are increasingly drawn to Iraq, as evidenced by the growing activities of the US-Iraq Business Council, while the events of the American Chamber of Commerce in Iraq now attract more American companies than ever before.
According to Trading Economics, a data and forecasting firm, U.S. exports to Iraq reached $2.26 billion in 2023—a significant 230 percent increase from 2022 and 280 percent higher than 2021. Agricultural exports alone totaled $357 million, more than double the 2022 figures and three times the 2021 figures. These figures are expected to rise significantly in 2024 and 2025, and U.S. farmers, in particular, will benefit from this burgeoning trade relationship.
In addition, the Iraqi government has approved a program to send 5,000 students abroad for master’s and doctoral studies, with approximately 3,000 students to study in the United States. American universities will benefit greatly from this initiative, along with collaboration with institutions such as the American universities in Baghdad, Duhok, and Sulaymaniyah.
Al-Sudani described relations with the United States as “strategic” and “institutional,” emphasizing the depth of this partnership in his recent media appearances, and in particular, in an interview with Elaph in London, hours before Mr. Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the prime minister said that Iraq “is ready to cooperate with the new administration.” He stressed that this relationship is based on the joint strategic framework agreement between the two countries, “as well as our partnership in the international coalition to fight ISIS.”
A strong and prosperous relationship between the United States and Iraq promotes stability and prosperity in the region, benefiting the interests of both countries and their people. Through strategic cooperation in security, economics, and diplomacy, this partnership has the potential to shape a more stable and prosperous Middle East.
The Finance Committee: Our priorities are to chart a new course for managing the financial situation
The head of the Finance Committee, Atwan Al-Atwani, confirmed today, Wednesday, that the committee has placed at the top of its priorities the development of a new path for managing the financial situation.
A statement by the Finance Committee received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated that "the head of the Finance Committee, Atwan Al-Atwani, met with the delegation currently visiting the United Kingdom, Lord Baroness de Sousa and the Director of the Oversight Unit in the British House of Commons, Alex Knight, each separately, in the presence of specialists from the International Partners Foundation."
He explained that "the discussions were held on the prospects of joint bilateral cooperation between the Finance Committee in the Iraqi Council of Representatives and the specialized committees in the British House of Commons in terms of legislative and oversight work and the exchange of expertise in all fields, in a manner that serves the interests of the two friendly peoples."
The statement continued, "After reviewing the structure of the British House of Commons and the House of Lords and the role of each of them, Al-Atwani stressed the need for the Iraqi Council of Representatives to establish permanent specialized formations of experts and specialists whose mission is to chart the course of legislative work and complete the requirements for enacting laws and consolidating legislation in a manner that achieves the country's supreme interests and is consistent with development plans and service programs."
He pointed out that "strengthening the work of the legislative authority with these specialized formations would mature the laws and assess the government's actual need for the legislation to be enacted, away from personal interpretations."
During his discussions, Al-Atwani reviewed "a number of files and topics of common interest," noting that "his committee has prioritized charting a new path for managing the financial situation in the country through a gradual transition to relying on non-oil revenues, especially since Iraq has financial revenue outlets that can be pillars of building the budget, including customs, taxes, investment of state assets, communications, and other government services."
Fox News Discusses “The Fate of the Factions”: “Iraqi-American” Security Cooperation Will Be Impossible
The American Fox News channel discussed what is happening inIraqFrom attempts to "integrate or neutralize" the armed factions, while indicating that the government's failure to do so will lead to the "impossibility" of implementing a formula for security cooperation betweenIraqAnd the Trump administration.
“Many of these resistance factions have also registered brigades under the umbrella of the state-recognized Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF),” she added. “The question for policymakers remains how to neutralize these elements and mitigate the risk of both the PMF and the Iraqi state being drawn into an ill-timed geopolitical escalation.”
“While Iran’s proxies have been significantly weakened since October 7, pressure has intensified in light of reports that Israel may retaliate against groups inside Iraq,” Rudolph noted.
“The fact that there is significant security sector reform in relation to the PMF at this time represents Iran’s weakened role in the country and an urgent need among more moderate powers, as well as the United States, to capitalize on this and create momentum,” said Caroline Rose, a senior analyst and head of the Power Vacuums Program at the New Lines
Institute. Fox News says that “many observers of the region believe that the attempt toIraq"Reining in the armed factions at this moment is a sign of Iran's declining position in the region," she said, noting that "elections are scheduled to be held inIraqThis fall, the Sudanese prime minister is trying to negotiate an acceptable form ofcooperation“Bilateral security cooperation with the United States, including the position of American forces inside the country,”
she added. “Observers of the region agreed that ifIraqUnable to demonstrate its ability to rein in armed groups, the sustainability ofcooperationSecurity relations with the United States, especially under President Donald Trump, may be impossible.”
Oil prices continue to decline, affected by the increase in US crude inventories
Oil prices continued to fall on Wednesday, giving up some of the previous session's gains, weighed down by rising U.S. crude inventories and easing concerns over Libyan supplies, but potential U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico limited losses.
Brent crude futures were down 18 cents, or 0.2%, at $77.31 a barrel by 05:48 GMT.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 15 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $73.62 a barrel.
“At a time when markets are dealing with demand pressures, the easing of supply tensions is impacting oil prices,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, market analyst at Philip Nova in Singapore.
"Markets are under pressure due to US President Donald Trump's plans to increase US oil production and are awaiting more clarity on his energy policies," she added.
Trump began his second term last week by issuing several executive orders that make it easier to license energy infrastructure and boost oil and gas production, which has already risen to record levels.
Crude oil and gasoline inventories rose in the United States last week, while distillate stocks fell, market sources said on Tuesday, citing data from the American Petroleum Institute.
The Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy, is scheduled to release its weekly data at 15:30 GMT on Wednesday.
Easing concerns about supplies from Libya also added to selling pressure, said Chiyuki Chen, chief analyst at Sunward Trading in Tokyo.
These concerns subsided after Libya's state-owned National Oil Corporation said on Tuesday that export activity was continuing normally at all oil fields and ports, after communicating with protesters who demanded a halt to loading at one of its main ports.
The White House said Tuesday that Trump still intends to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Saturday.
It is not yet clear how any new tariffs might affect oil imports from these two countries to the United States.
According to data from the US Energy Information Administration, Canada supplied the United States with about 3.9 million barrels per day of oil in 2023, nearly half of the United States' total imports that year, while Mexico supplied about 733,000 barrels per day.
Trump's Middle East envoy also visits Gaza
Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel on Wednesday. Witkoff's visit aims to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
As scheduled, Witkoff will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to discuss developments in the agreement and ways to ensure its continuation.
Witkov's visit will reportedly include a field tour of the Gaza Strip, in order to ensure that militants do not return to the northern areas of the Strip, and to ensure the successful implementation of the first phase of the agreement, paving the way for the second phase, which focuses on returning the remaining Israeli hostages.
Oil prices threaten Iraq.. The government has no plans and expectations of returning to change the dollar exchange rate
A “serious” financial crisis is looming, as Washington talks about its efforts to reduce oil prices, which directly threatens Iraq, according to representatives and observers, who confirmed that the government does not have any current or future plan to confront these challenges, stressing that any decline will increase the deficit and put the state in front of limited options, most notably returning to changing the dollar exchange rate.
Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Hussein Mounes, said in an interview with “Al-Alam Al-Jadeed” that “the Iraqi government does not have any current or future solutions if oil prices, which represent the majority of the revenues funding the budget, decrease.”
Mounes added, “We must move towards leaving the rentier economy and achieving stability, through non-oil revenues and strictly controlling border crossings,” expecting that “the government will resort to raising the dollar exchange rate again if oil prices fall, to cover the difference that will occur in financing.”
He added that “these current developments and talk about oil should lead to a disciplined amendment to the 2025 budget to avoid any unforeseen events,” indicating that “Iraq is losing 6 trillion out of 9 trillion dinars in taxes due to the failure to control border crossings or implement the automation system properly, in exchange for dollar sales that have increased significantly.”
He points out that “the current financial crisis is clear and the shortage of revenues is clearly visible, with all government agencies entering a period of tension at the end of each month, and looking towards the Ministry of Finance, which pays salaries,” noting that “if the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar is raised by the government to confront the decline in the price of oil, this will lead, for example, to a decrease in salaries, for example, someone whose salary is currently $700 will become worth $500.”
US President Donald Trump had explicitly called a few days ago at the Davos conference to lower oil prices. He added: “If prices go down, the Russia-Ukraine war will end immediately. Prices are high enough now for the war to continue. You have to lower the price of oil.”
The US President's statements affected the price of a barrel of oil, which fell after recording an increase before Trump's speech, and the decline continued until Wednesday, when it recorded $76 per barrel, after it was nearly $80.
The Prime Minister's Advisor for Economic Affairs, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, had previously confirmed that the three-year budget estimated the price of a barrel of oil at $70, and that the average price of a barrel of oil in 2023 was $84, while last year it was $74, stressing that oil will remain stable in the next budget at $70.
In addition, Kazem Al-Tawki, a member of the Parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee, stated during an interview with “Al-Alam Al-Jadeed” that “the US President’s statements about a plan to reduce oil prices will certainly have repercussions if they are achieved.”
Al-Tawki added, “Iraq depends on the largest portion of its revenues on oil exports, and therefore any change in prices will lead to a decrease in monthly and annual funding, because the economy is rentier and does not depend on non-oil revenues such as ports, trade, agriculture, and others.”
He explained that “the annual revenues are formed by oil revenues to a very large extent, and any decrease in the price of oil will lead to a corresponding decrease in the annual revenues in the budget, which causes problems,” indicating that “the US administration’s orientation towards this oil method since the beginning of its work will push Iraq into a financial and economic crisis because it has relied for years on oil alone to finance its financial budgets and has not diversified those revenues.”
Iraq depends entirely on oil revenues, despite the existence of items in the federal budgets to enhance non-oil revenues, such as border crossings and tax collection, but all of them were not implemented properly, and their revenues remained small and do not constitute a significant percentage.
It is noteworthy that OPEC+ decisions have been heading towards reducing production for more than two years, and in June 2024, it was agreed to extend production cuts by 3.66 million barrels per day until the end of 2025, with another 2.2 million barrels per day of voluntary cuts being gradually reinstated starting in October 2024.
It is noteworthy that Iraq's budget for this year exceeded 226 trillion dinars, after it was approved by Parliament, which is higher than last year's budget of 198 trillion dinars.
For his part, academic and economic expert, Ahmed Saddam, explained during an interview with “Al-Alam Al-Jadeed” that “if we assume that the price of a barrel of oil drops to $70, the budget will be estimated on the basis of $65 per barrel or $60 as a reserve.”
Saddam explains, “If the situation for the budget in 2025 is the same as last year’s 2024 budget, which is around 200 trillion dinars, then in this case the deficit will become very large, around 80 or 85 trillion dinars,” indicating that “according to the above, the government will be forced to abandon or postpone many investment projects in the budget, and focus primarily on operating expenses. As for the world, the drop in the price of oil to $60 will make Iraq face a financial crisis after the middle of this year, 2025.”
It is noteworthy that Iraq had previously reduced the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar, during the government of former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, which sparked great controversy at the time, before the current government returned to adjust the exchange rate, and it also appointed hundreds of thousands of graduates, whose salaries amounted to about 65 trillion dinars.
Araghchi: We have not received any message from Trump regarding negotiations and we feel mistrust towards Washington
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed in a press statement that "his country has not received any message from US President Donald Trump regarding the negotiations" on the nuclear agreement.
The Iranian minister's statements included:
- "The state of mistrust still exists and persists in our relations with the United States."
- "We reached an agreement before and implemented it, and the other party is the one who violated it."
- “Mistrust will not be removed by positive statements and we need practical measures and specific policies.”
- "Our talks with European countries continue and we are waiting for the other party to determine its policies."
He also explained that "the dialogue with Europe is ongoing and we are waiting for the positions of the other side."
At the same time, according to Tasnim, Araghchi stated that confidence in the negotiations was not expressed in good words, and "we need to see the performance." It is also not yet clear what Trump's position is on the nuclear talks initiated by the administration of former US President Joe Biden, who pledged a more escalatory approach and a close alliance with Israel, which contradicts the agreement.
German Ambassador: We have great cooperation with Iraq in many fields
German Ambassador to Iraq, Christiane Hohmann, confirmed on Wednesday that she would submit a report to her country's government on Iraqi achievements, while pointing out that there is great cooperation with Iraq in many areas.
Hohmann said, in a dialogue session during the Iraq Energy Conference, which was followed by "Al-Eqtisad News", that "one of the problems facing investors is electricity in Iraq," indicating that "the environment in Iraq is different from our country."
She added that "the embassy's work is to prepare a report to our government," noting that "we submitted a report on the achievements in Iraq."
She pointed out that "there are Iraqi businessmen investing in Germany, and not only Germany investing in Iraq," explaining that "Iraq has many German companies working in the electrical sector, and there is a factory in the Najaf Governorate for producing glass and a pharmaceutical factory, and there is great cooperation with German companies."
She stressed, "We want Iraq to succeed on the national and international levels, as Iraq is a young country with young energies and job opportunities must be provided for them," explaining that "everything is based on history and Iraq likes to focus on the past to build the future."
She pointed out that "the presence of embassies here is to provide advice and investments, but the work will remain for the country."
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The Council of Ministers intends to link the work of the Insurance Bureau to the Central Bank
Through legal legislation
This came in a statement by the Council of Ministers,
As part of the financial reform measures, the Council approved the preparation of a draft law stipulating that the work of the Insurance Bureau be linked to the Central Bank of Iraq, as the Bureau is one of the non-banking financial institutions that works to regulate and supervise the insurance sector, in a way that ensures its development and secures an open, transparent and financially secure market.
Introduction
About the Directorate
Iraq on the threshold of an economic renaissance".. Al-Sudani's advisor reveals plans for the next stage
Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, the economic and financial advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, revealed today, Tuesday, the expected economic situation of the country during the next stage.
Saleh told Shafaq News Agency, "Iraq has high economic capabilities, as it witnesses a cohesion between a renaissance in infrastructure on the one hand, and strategic development thinking on the other hand, most notably the development path that will attract local and international investments, in addition to the effective government contribution, which will constitute an unprecedented renaissance in the country, especially in the residential construction sector and new cities that have launched their projects and will not stop, and they are the best way to economic prosperity on the one hand and raise the level of employment in the country on the other hand."
He pointed out that "Iraq also enjoys unprecedented price stability, as the annual price growth rate did not exceed 2.9% compared to a 6% increase in GDP growth, which makes Iraq move on the path of sustainable economic development at a steady pace, and all governorates are witnessing remarkable progress."
Saleh continued, "The National Development Plan for the years 2024-2028 seeks to enhance the industrial sector's contribution to the gross domestic product to about 2.2%, after it remained less than 1.8% in previous years," indicating that "this launch will come through diversifying the industrial sector, both private and governmental, with a focus on moving from crude oil production to petroleum derivatives production and the petrochemical industry."
Saleh stressed that "Iraq is the ninth country in the world in terms of natural resources, as its lands contain more than 16 trillion US dollars worth of these resources in terms of market value," noting that "investing in these natural resources and manufacturing them will increase their added value several times, whether for the purposes of national industries or export."
He explained that "the National Development Plan indicates efforts to rebuild the foundations of the manufacturing industry through real partnerships with the private sector, where the state contributes 85% of the financing of manufacturing industries, while the private sector bears 15% of the financing."
Saleh added that "the financing strategy includes industrial projects on five levels, foremost of which are projects related to construction and housing or those related to development road works, then pharmaceutical industries, with a focus on the government's economic philosophy based on a partnership between the state and the market with broad social security. This vision moves away from economic liberalism and its risks."
He added, "Riyada Bank was established to provide small and medium-sized loans to young people, following the Prime Minister's Riyada Initiative, which paved the way for providing thousands of loans to youth sectors and mobilizing their innovations and initiatives. This shows that 60% of the workforce is absorbed in small and medium-sized industries, in addition to continuing in strategic national industries such as petrochemicals and digital."
Saleh concluded his statements by saying: “This is an important shift in the face of sustainable unemployment conditions, as unemployment rates have fallen to about 14% currently, and are expected to continue to decline to normal levels of no more than 4% of the total workforce, which is what we are looking forward to providing about half a million new job opportunities for people of working age, who are able and willing to work.”
Information Security organizes a workshop on the phenomena of electronic blackmail and ways to combat it
The workshop addressed the phenomena of electronic blackmail that have spread with the development of technology in the last two decades and ways to combat it through the importance of raising awareness among various segments of society.
It is noteworthy that these workshops come within the decisions of the Supreme Council for Women's Affairs affiliated with the Prime Minister's Office, which include "holding national women's seminars to highlight the importance of women and enhance their participation in the government sector."
Media Office
January 28, 2025
Minister of Finance: Iraq provides an attractive investment environment based on advanced infrastructure
Finance Minister Taif Sami confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq provides an attractive investment environment based on advanced infrastructure.
The Ministry of Finance said in a statement, seen by "Al-Eqtisad News", that "Minister of Finance Taif Sami received today the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Iraq, Jan Schneidaov," indicating that "the prospects for joint cooperation in the economic and investment fields were discussed."
The minister stressed, during the meeting, that "Iraq provides an attractive investment environment based on an advanced infrastructure," referring to "the opportunities available to foreign investors, especially in the banking, energy and manufacturing sectors."
She stressed "the Iraqi government's commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Czech Republic in the fields of finance and reconstruction and benefiting from Czech expertise in developing the financial and banking sector."
For his part, Ambassador Jan Schneidaov expressed "his country's desire to strengthen the economic partnership with Iraq," stressing "the readiness of Czech companies to invest in the Iraqi market, especially in the fields of technology and industry."
He stressed "the importance of expanding trade exchange between the two countries and strengthening financial cooperation channels."
Al-Sudani calls on the heads of parliamentary blocs to vote on the budget as received from the government without change
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called on Parliament today, Wednesday, to approve the budget amendment without change.
The Prime Minister's media office said in a statement received by / Today's News / that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani hosted a meeting at the government palace today, which included the heads of parliamentary blocs, in the presence of the Speaker of Parliament Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, and his deputies Mohsen Ali al-Mandalawi and Shakhwan Abdullah."
The statement added that "the meeting witnessed a review of the progress of the implementation of the government program, and the importance of supporting government steps in completing service and economic projects that have direct contact with citizens' lives, as well as ways to enhance cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities to achieve development goals and priorities."
He continued: "Based on the role of the Federal General Budget Law as a fundamental pillar for implementing the obligations contained in the government program, and in a manner that takes into account the supreme national interest, the latest amendment submitted by the government to the law was discussed."
Al-Sudani stressed "the commitment to this text that addresses the issue of the cost of producing a barrel of oil, which was approved by the Council of Ministers in its 45th session on November 5, and was confirmed in the letter of the government representative in the House of Representatives, No. 15, sent to the House of Representatives on January 23, which is the same text that was voted on within the Parliamentary Finance Committee."
He pointed out "the necessity for the House of Representatives to approve this amendment without change, to complete the development plans, in accordance with the economic interest of Iraq, and the vision adopted by the government program approved by the esteemed House of Representatives."
For their part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, his deputies, and the heads of the parliamentary blocs expressed their support for "the adoption of the government text sent to amend the Federal Budget Law."
They stressed "supporting the government's plans and programs in a way that achieves the supreme interests of Iraqis everywhere."
Al-Sudani hosts a meeting of heads of parliamentary blocs in the presence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani hosted a meeting today, Wednesday, at the Government Palace, which included the heads of parliamentary blocs, in the presence of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Mr. Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, and his deputies, Mr. Mohsen Ali Al-Mandalawi and Mr. Shakhwan Abdullah. The meeting discussed the progress of implementing the government program, supporting steps aimed at completing service and economic projects that directly affect the lives of citizens, in addition to enhancing cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities to achieve development goals.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of the Federal General Budget Law as a fundamental pillar for implementing the government program’s commitments, taking into account the supreme national interest. The latest amendment submitted by the government to the budget law, which addresses the issue of the cost of producing a barrel of oil, was also discussed. This amendment was approved by the Council of Ministers in its forty-fifth session on November 5, and confirmed by the government in its letter sent to the House of Representatives No. 15 on January 23.
Al-Sudani stressed the need for the House of Representatives to approve this amendment without change, to ensure the completion of development plans in accordance with the economic interests of Iraq and the vision adopted by the government program approved by the House of Representatives.
For their part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, his two deputies, and the heads of the parliamentary blocs expressed their support for the government text submitted to amend the budget law, stressing the importance of supporting the government’s plans and programs to achieve the supreme interests of Iraqis throughout the country
Expert warns against changing the exchange rate: A bigger mistake than the last adjustment
Al-Mashhadani told {Euphrates News}: "There is talk about the idea of changing the official exchange rate and returning it to 145,000 dinars per 100 dollars," warning that "this measure will be a bigger mistake than the last amendment."
He stressed that "the dollar exchange rates in the parallel market have stabilized for a long time at the threshold of 151,000 dinars per 100 dollars," noting that "this difference has nothing to do with the 2025 budget schedules, as it will not differ much from the 2024 budget."
Al-Mashhadani pointed to "a desire to stabilize the price of a barrel of oil at $60 with a move to reduce investment expenditures, due to the large and ongoing financial deficit in the budget," adding that "the gap between the dollar in the parallel market and the official rate will remain as it is."
He explained that "the dollar exchange rates will not stabilize due to a gap in demand, as Iranian goods constitute a large part of the market, and imports continue at a rate ranging between $25 and $35 million per month, with these funds being financed from the parallel market instead of Central Bank transfers."
The economic expert concluded by stressing that "the exchange rate between the parallel and official market will remain the same unless trade is regulated and included in the Central Bank's transfers."
MP Sajjad Salem: We will challenge the constitutionality of the (one-basket laws) session next Thursday
Will the failure of the two independent MPs, Nour Nafeh and Sajjad Salem, to recognize the legality and constitutionality of the vote on the personal status laws, general amnesty, and confiscated properties, which took place under the dome of Parliament on January 21, 2025, lead to the session being repeated and the laws being voted on individually and not within what was called the “single basket”?
MP Sajjad Salem revealed to Rudaw Network today that they will file an appeal to the court regarding the constitutionality of the session, and consequently the constitutionality of the laws that were approved.
“We will submit the appeal next Thursday, although we do not expect to find supporters for us in the House of Representatives,” he said, noting that “each party or bloc in the parliament supports its interests from the three laws, so the blocs within the Coordination Framework will be keen to pass the law amending Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959, and the Sunni blocs will be keen to ratify the general amnesty law, and the Kurds will support the confiscated real estate law, without any bloc caring about the harm these laws cause to the Iraqi people.”
MP Sajjad Salem insisted that "the session of the basket of three laws is unconstitutional, and that is why we insist on challenging its legitimacy."
Regarding their expectations regarding the Federal Court’s opinion, Sajjad said: “As long as there is a political agreement to pass the three laws, the appeals will be rejected and the laws will be implemented even if they contain legal violations. This is the legal norm in Iraq, and the judiciary always follows the political agreement. There is a political agreement that governs the laws, and if not, they will not be passed. We know the political dimension of the issues.”
He explained that "appealing decisions has many details. There is a procedural appeal, a formal appeal, and a substantive appeal, and its legal details are many. We must appeal regardless of our preconceptions, and we will present our proposals for appeal to the other representatives and we will see."
Regarding whether there is a bloc of independents within the House of Representatives that supports this trend, MP Sajjad Salem said: “There is no bloc of independents or independent MP in the House except for colleague Nour Nafeh and myself, and the majority are from political Islam, the Coordination Framework and the Sunni blocs, and they implement the directions of their blocs, so how can we form a bloc of independents in these circumstances? The independents have been dissolved by the other blocs, due to personal interests and each member has his connection to a party.”
MP Sajjad Salem held the Shiite and Sunni blocs responsible for the obstacles to passing these laws, and said: “The deal of marrying minors and canceling Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959, which is considered one of the best personal status laws in the Arab world, is politically and morally borne by the Coordination Framework, while the Sunni blocs in the House of Representatives bear moral responsibility for the general amnesty law that will bring back to the forefront the corrupt, such as Nour Zuhair and others, and the terrorists, as we all heard about the bombings that took place in the Tarmiyah area on the day of voting on the package of laws to pressure Parliament to pass the general amnesty law.”
Regarding their intentions to reduce the harm caused by the “one-basket” laws, Salem said: “In our meetings with human rights organizations, embassies, and parliaments of countries that support democracy and civil society, we are trying to clarify the danger of the legislation that is being passed, which violates human rights and civil and personal freedoms. We demanded a position from diplomatic missions that guarantees Iraq’s commitment to international human rights conventions and stands against religious and sectarian extremism in the enactment of laws.”
MP Sajjad Salem concluded, "We are waiting for the draft laws. Parliament voted on titles, not laws, and the draft laws will be studied and discussed."
Kurdistan oil...an American card to weaken Baghdad and plunder Iraq's
The Kurdistan Region's oil file has long been one of the most contentious issues in the Iraqi political scene, as the region has continued to operate separately from the federal government in exporting oil and its revenues, bypassing the national company “SOMO” responsible for Iraqi marketing oil.
Despite repeated agreements between Baghdad and Erbil, the region has not committed to supporting the federal budget with oil revenues, which deepens the financial and administrative differences between the two parties.
But the issue is not limited to internal disputes; Rather, it takes on an international dimension, as the United States plays a hidden role in fueling this division, exploiting the gap between Baghdad and Erbil to enhance its economic and political influence in Iraq, through its companies operating in the region, which continues to Export oil outside the control of the federal government.
Illegal oil export and violation of the constitution
According to the Iraqi constitution, oil and gas are the wealth of the Iraqi people, and their revenues must be included in the state budget, but the Kurdistan government deals directly with foreign companies, and exports oil through Turkey away from Iraqi government supervision, which leads to
Wasting Iraq's wealth and transferring revenues to regional accounts,
And creating a financial gap in the general budget as a result of not delivering the due shares of oil revenues,
In addition to weakening the authority of the central government and reducing its ability to control the country's strategic resources.
The American role in deepening the crisis
For years, the United States has provided political and economic support to Kurdistan, not only through strong diplomatic relations, but also through major oil companies, such as ExxonMobil and Chevron, which have signed direct contracts with the regional government despite Baghdad's opposition. The American goal is to:
1. Weakening the Iraqi government's control over oil, giving Washington the ability to control its exports.
2. Undermining the unity of Iraq by strengthening the financial and political independence of the region.
3. Benefit from Kurdish oil at preferential prices, away from official Iraqi controls.
4. Keeping Iraq economically dependent on Washington, by creating divisions that prevent Baghdad from achieving financial stability.
The Iraqi government and the responsibility to impose autonomy
Faced with this reality, Baghdad must take strict steps to regain control over its national wealth, through:
• Obligating the region to hand over oil to the federal government in accordance with the laws and the constitution.
• Preventing foreign companies from dealing directly with Kurdistan without Baghdad's approval.
• Imposing sanctions on parties that facilitate oil smuggling.
• Strengthening border control and export ports, especially with Turkey.
• Internationalizing the issue diplomatically to limit foreign interventions that hinder Iraq's autonomy over its resources.
Economists point out that Kurdistan's continued export of oil independently, with American support, is a threat to Iraq's unity and autonomy. Unless the central government moves decisively to regain control over oil exports, Washington will continue to exploit this issue to weaken Baghdad and strengthen its dominance over Iraq's wealth.
Iraq Nears KRG Oil Export Resumption Ahead of Parliament Vote
Iraq is nearing a breakthrough in resuming oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, as a general understanding was reached in a meeting between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and Kurdish parliamentary faction leaders to pass an amendment to the budget law, a senior Kurdish lawmaker said.
Vian Sabri, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) faction in the Iraqi parliament, told Kurdistan 24 that Sudani urged faction leaders to support the amendment, which is already in parliament. “There is only a vote left to resume the region’s oil exports,” she said.
Sabri added that Sudani emphasized the economic damage caused by the suspension and called on lawmakers to cooperate in approving the amendment. She said about 200 members of parliament from Kurdish, Sunni, and Shia factions had agreed to the proposal, and a vote is expected to be scheduled for Sunday.
Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have been halted since March 2023 after a Paris-based arbitration court ruled that Turkey had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to export oil independently since 2014. The suspension has cost the Iraqi treasury an estimated $15 million.
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