Iraq is on the cusp of a new economic era. Al-Sudani's advisor reveals the details.
Development Indicators Place Iraq on the Threshold of a New Economic Era
The Prime Minister's Advisor for Financial Affairs, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, confirmed on Wednesday that development indicators place Iraq on the threshold of a new economic era, noting that the gross domestic product (GDP) is pushing Iraq toward sustainable development faster than expected.
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Saleh told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Iraq's position as the third economic power in West Asia among Arab countries in terms of GDP, after Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is an indicator that extends in two directions. The first is the accelerated ability to achieve significant progress in development, confirming the unprecedented speed and development of our country in imposing the significant economic and political stability that Iraq has achieved."
He added, "The second relates to the GDP, and it also confirms, on the domestic level, that our country is an effective economic force in attracting investment opportunities in development areas. The great stability provided by the environment in recent years has helped support sustainable development at a faster pace than expected." He continued: "The urban renaissance and the launch of infrastructure and service programs are among the most important activities in the government's policy and economic program. Their success has not stopped, as they have proven to be successful in accelerating progress, so that our country can assume its geo-economic position as a promising path, indicated by high rates of economic growth."
He pointed out that "the positive indicators we see in Iraq's favor among the economies of West Asia have established a new economic era for Iraq, accumulating rapidly in development rates preceded by strong stability, which was a necessary condition for our country to occupy third place in GDP growth (as a sufficient condition) and with high cohesion."
The Prime Minister's Advisor indicated that "the foundation of this cohesion has remained the effective participatory and institutional role of the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and legal. This has helped overcome the experience of difficult years to achieve the desired progress towards securing the future and building a future of prosperity, stability, and development. This has undoubtedly given the current government program the ability to achieve its positive goals of achieving widespread economic success."
The Iraqi Stock Exchange joins the "Tabadul" platform in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
A memorandum of understanding was signed today, Wednesday, for the Iraq Stock Exchange to join the "Tabadul" platform, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
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During his participation in the signing ceremony, Faisal Al-Haimus, Chairman of the Iraqi Securities Commission, said, "Iraq's accession to the exchange platform represents a qualitative leap in the development of the Iraqi financial market infrastructure, strengthens regional economic partnerships, and opens new horizons for local and international investors."
At the end of 2024, the Authority's Chairman discussed with the CEO of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Group, Abdullah Salem Al Nuaimi, the signing of a joint cooperation agreement aimed at exchanging expertise and developing work mechanisms in the capital markets, according to a statement issued by the Iraqi Securities Commission.
Central Bank: We are committed to building a more inclusive and equitable digital financial system.
The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) emphasized on Wednesday the importance of the media's role in supporting financial inclusion and spreading financial literacy, while also underscoring its commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable digital financial system.
In her speech at the Ninth Scientific Conference (Third International) of the College of Media at the University of Iraq, under the theme "Artificial Intelligence in Media: Prospects for Innovation and Challenges of Cultural Dialogue," the bank's Assistant Head of Financial Affairs, Adhraa Taha Mohammed, said, "This conference reflects the bank's vision to promote financial inclusion, implement government directives toward the use of electronic payment methods, and the role of the media in spreading financial literacy."
She added, "Financial inclusion has become a pillar of economic and social development. It doesn't just mean individuals having access to banking services, but also empowering them to make smart financial decisions that contribute to improving their lives and supporting the stability of society as a whole." She emphasized that "the media's vital role is not limited to raising awareness, but extends to building a solid financial culture that enhances trust between citizens and financial institutions."
She explained that "the government's drive to promote the use of electronic payment methods has become an urgent necessity imposed by modern developments, which requires all parties, whether academics, journalists, or institutions, to work together to guide society."
She emphasized that "media colleges play a pivotal role in preparing media professionals capable of delivering financial messages in innovative and credible ways, bringing economic concepts closer to all segments of society, especially marginalized groups or those previously excluded from the traditional financial system."
She emphasized that "the Central Bank of Iraq is committed to actively participating in building a more inclusive and equitable digital financial system, and is opening doors to cooperation with universities, researchers, and all relevant parties to achieve this goal. This can be achieved by: organizing workshops and seminars within universities to introduce students to the concepts and importance of electronic payments, providing technical and cognitive support for university research focused on digital transformation and digital finance, encouraging financial innovation among students by urging the financial sector to offer financial products and services tailored to the student segment, and offering accessible digital solutions. It also aims to involve students in awareness campaigns as active contributors to spreading a responsible financial culture in society."
She concluded by saying, "This integration between the Central Bank and universities aims not only to increase the use of electronic payment tools, but also to create a financially and technically literate generation capable of leading the national economy toward greater progress and modernity." She emphasized that "investing in financial awareness within universities is an investment in Iraq's future and the best path to achieving true and sustainable digital financial inclusion."
News For TUE APR 22 2025
MP: The budget cannot be delayed and Parliament will discuss it next week.
State of Law Coalition spokesman MP Aqeel Al-Fatlawi announced that Parliament will discuss the budget law next week .
Al-Fatlawi said, "The House of Representatives will discuss the budget law in next week's sessions. The budget cannot be halted or delayed. Rather, there is sufficient time to approve it before the end of the current parliamentary session."
Last February, the House of Representatives voted on the draft law amending the first law of the Federal General Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal years (2023 - 2024 - 2025) No. (13) of 2023
Will the government resort to mandatory deposits for citizens? These obstacles
During his appearance on the "Free Talk" program on Al Furat satellite channel this evening, Al-Alawi pointed out that: "The most prominent problem lies in the lack of effective oversight of banks," stressing that "the Central Bank is in one valley, and the banks are in another, as the latter do not adhere to official instructions and operate according to special policies, which has caused the banking system to lose real control over it."
He added that "strict oversight represents the Central Bank's best weapon in controlling banking activity," calling for "a move toward a cashless economy despite a deep-rooted crisis of confidence among citizens in the banking system due to past experiences, including the seizure of funds in the 1990s and the subsequent bankruptcy or failure of some banks."
Al-Alawi stressed that "citizens cannot be forced to deposit their money in banks, even within the legal framework, because that would have negative repercussions." He pointed out that "persuasion must be achieved through incentives," revealing that "the number of shops and commercial companies registered with the Iraqi Chambers of Commerce is 1.2 million, while the number of unregistered ones is 2.8 million, bringing the total to approximately 4 million outlets."
He explained that "the mentality governing the Iraqi economy remains socialist, despite the official transition to a market economy following the 2005 constitutional vote," suggesting that "Iraq's budget is close to $100 billion or more, and was supposed to generate $12 billion from non-oil revenues."
Al-Alawi called for "a five-year tax freeze to regulate corporate operations and alleviate concerns about joining the financial system, which could bolster the state treasury by $17 billion currently missing due to dollar-selling mechanisms."
In the same context, Al-Alawi revealed that "the Central Bank has agreed with two international companies, one specializing in bank mergers and the other in private sector restructuring, to submit a comprehensive study next July on the struggling banks."
The Central Bank renews its warning against trading in withdrawn banknotes.
In recent years, this bank has observed the circulation of foreign banknotes from various countries, some of which are genuine and in circulation, others withdrawn from circulation, and some counterfeit. Such banknotes are used by unscrupulous outlaws to defraud citizens by luring them into exchanging them for Iraqi dinars at prices far exceeding their actual value. They claim that exchanging them offers them significant profits and rare investment opportunities.
Foreign banknotes withdrawn from circulation
Iran makes an "attractive" offer to American companies
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced the possibility of American companies playing a role in Iran's nuclear energy program, promising "tens of billions of dollars in potential contracts."
Araghchi outlined the strategy in a speech he was scheduled to deliver at the Carnegie International Policy Conference. The Iranian foreign minister posted the planned speech on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday after his attendance at the conference was canceled.
"The trillion-dollar opportunity our economy offers could be open to American companies. This includes companies that can help us generate clean electricity from non-hydrocarbon sources," Araghchi said, adding that Iran plans to build 19 nuclear reactors in addition to the one currently operating at the Bushehr nuclear plant, with the goal of "generating clean electricity from non-hydrocarbon sources."
The Iranian foreign minister continued, saying, "The Iranian market alone is large enough to revitalize the faltering nuclear industry in the United States."
Araghchi suggested that this system be subject to "strong monitoring and verification" to ensure the peaceful nature of the program, because "only this approach can achieve long-term stability and confidence."
He added that Iran “has never stood in the way of economic and scientific cooperation with the United States,” and blamed previous US administrations for “misconceptions and politically motivated narratives” that misrepresented Iran’s “peaceful nuclear program.”
“President Trump seems to be aware of the disastrous mistakes made by previous administrations, which cost American taxpayers trillions of dollars in our region, while achieving no gains for the United States,” the Iranian foreign minister said.
Both the United States and Iran expressed optimism after the second round of nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday. The first round was held in the Omani capital, Muscat, the previous week.
Technical talks between the two countries are expected to begin on Wednesday.
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Fouad Hussein: Our relationship with France is broad, and we support Syria's stability and the Iran-US negotiations.
During a joint press conference with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, Hussein said, "Iraq's relationship with France is broad, noting that France played a significant role in the international coalition during Iraq's war against the terrorist organization ISIS."
Hussein explained that "defense issues and the issue of purchasing weapons from France were discussed, stressing the importance of this cooperation in supporting Iraqi capabilities."
The Foreign Minister added, "Iraq supports Syria's stability in order to build a comprehensive political process, noting that the two sides discussed the growth of terrorism in Syria and ways to combat it."
He explained that he "discussed the Iran-US negotiations with his French counterpart, stressing the need to keep the region away from war." He emphasized that Iraq supports these negotiations as "the only solution to reach results and understandings peacefully."
Central Bank Prudential Policies to Face the Risks of Global Economic Crises
Samir Al-Nusairi
The global economic system has been experiencing complex economic, financial, and security crises for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, US and European sanctions on Russia, the Israeli aggression on Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria, and most recently, the US decision to raise tariffs on China and many other countries. Further complicating matters is the current struggle for leadership of the global economy between the US and China. These accumulated factors have led to confusion in the global trade map for food and energy.
The evidence of the current crises that have harmed the economies of major countries before smaller ones is what we are witnessing now with the rise of stagflation in some countries and expectations of a slowdown in economic growth and a decline in oil prices and a sharp decline in the US dollar by 9% compared to its levels in December 2025, which is its lowest level in three years. This has prompted countries to invest in gold, the value of which has risen to $3,500 and is expected to reach $4,000 in the last quarter of the current year.
Since economic stability is achieved through stability in the financial and monetary systems, the Central Bank's proactive precautionary policies, in anticipation of expected developments in upcoming crises and in confronting risks, rely primarily on building foreign reserves at a level that covers the local currency in circulation, imports, external debt repayments, and other international obligations. It is also important and strategic to work on diversifying reserves to include a basket of currencies, gold, bonds, and securities, and to take full advantage of the rise in gold prices to increase reserves to the highest possible level.
This is exactly what the Central Bank did last year, with its foreign exchange reserves reaching over $100 billion and 163 tons of gold. The World Gold Council announced that Iraq would rank 28th globally and 4th in the Arab world in gold purchases and reserves by 2025.
This confirms that the Central Bank is proceeding steadily to achieve the objectives of monetary policy in reducing inflation, controlling the general price level, controlling the money supply, maintaining the dinar exchange rate within the target rate for the public, and continuously monitoring and analyzing the interest rate set by the Central Bank. Thus, the Central Bank's policies have yielded results in confronting expected economic risks in the medium and long term.
This requires fiscal policy, key economic sectors, and the ministries responsible for them to work together and in clear and specific coordination with the Central Bank's management to achieve economic stability, overcome global economic crises, and mitigate their repercussions.
The Parliamentary Finance Committee rules out adjusting the price of a barrel of oil in the budget tables, and reveals the reason.
Committee member Jamal Koujar said in a press statement, "The price of a barrel of oil approved in the budget will not change, because any change requires a comprehensive revision to the budget structure, which means an increase in the deficit, which is already suffering from significant inflation."
Kocher explained that "reducing the price of a barrel would mean one of two things: either increasing the deficit, which is not possible under the current financial situation, or resorting to deleting many important items from the investment budget, which would harm development plans."
He added, "If the government adopts a price of $70 per barrel, it will justify Iraq's sale at less than the global price, which gives it flexibility in managing its approved expenditures."
Kocher pointed out that "the oil market remains unstable, and no one knows whether the negotiations being conducted by the administration of US President Donald Trump with Iran will lead to a revival of the oil market and a rise in its prices."
Within days, MasterCard services are expected to be suspended in Iraqi banks.
A financial expert and former official at the Central Bank of Iraq revealed on Wednesday that MasterCard cards will cease to be used by some banks at the end of April.
Mahmoud Dagher told Shafaq News Agency, "MasterCards from the sanctioned banks will no longer be used outside the country," noting that "use of these cards from the sanctioned banks has been extended until the end of the month."
Dagher added, "MasterCard cards of the sanctioned banks will only work in dinars domestically."
According to experts, Mastercard has decided to suspend transactions with some Iraqi companies and banks due to restrictions on dollar transactions, posing a major challenge to the Iraqi financial system.
Several banks operating in Iraq have been subject to US sanctions regarding dollar transfers outside the country, while the rise in the dollar exchange rate against the dinar has been attributed to some traders withdrawing funds from the black market.
Tehran describes new US sanctions as "arrogant and illegal."
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned, on Wednesday, the United States' imposition of new sanctions on a number of natural and legal persons linked to Iran's energy, oil, gas, and nuclear sectors.
Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said in a press conference today that "the continued imposition of sanctions on various economic and commercial sectors in Iran is an arrogant and illegal act, and clearly contradicts America's claim to dialogue and negotiation."
"These measures demonstrate America's lack of good faith and seriousness in this regard," Baqaei added.
On Tuesday, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced that the United States had imposed new sanctions on more than 10 Iranian companies.
The office indicated that "12 Iranian companies linked to the gas and shipping sectors, in addition to a number of Iranian citizens, were included in the new sanctions lists imposed on Tehran."*
The Public-Private Partnership Law: A Step Towards Diversifying the Economy and Reducing Reliance on Oil
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are a promising economic solution that many countries are seeking to adopt, especially in Iraq, which faces significant development challenges. This partnership represents a real strategic opportunity to overcome the country's economic obstacles. It allows the private sector to participate in vital projects that stimulate economic growth and create new job opportunities, directly contributing to reducing unemployment. It also contributes to enhancing economic diversification by reducing dependence on oil revenues and expanding the production base to include multiple sectors such as industry, renewable energy, and education.
Experts expect this model to contribute to alleviating the financial burden on the state and enhancing the efficiency of public services, which will positively impact citizens' standard of living.
Economic expert Ziad Al-Hashemi believes the primary goal of public-private partnerships is to boost economic growth and ease the financial burden on the state by involving the private sector in development projects. He explained to Al-Sabah that this partnership contributes significantly to reducing unemployment by creating new job opportunities and stimulating the labor market. It also helps ensure the protection of workers' rights by implementing international labor standards and enhancing social protection.
Al-Hashemi points out that this model is expected to reduce the demand for government jobs if decent jobs are provided in the private sector, with attractive salaries, training packages, insurance, and retirement programs. It will also enhance the attractiveness of the private sector and encourage young people to engage in these fields, contributing to supporting the labor market and stimulating the economy.
Al-Hashemi also believes that public-private partnerships could mark the beginning of the privatization of many public-sector companies, transferring their ownership and management to the private sector. He expressed his belief that this step will contribute to improving the performance and development of these companies by integrating modern technologies and enhancing operational efficiency.
For his part, academic and public finance specialist Dr. Ahmed Hithal asserts that economic trends in Iraq in recent years have increasingly focused on the role of the private sector as a key driver of economic development. Speaking to Al-Sabah, Hithal believes that the challenges facing the Iraqi economy, embodied by its heavy reliance on oil revenues, require radical transformations in how the national economy is managed. He attributes this to the fact that excessive reliance on the oil sector and the public sector cannot guarantee future economic growth. In this context, a top strategic objective is to enhance the private sector's contribution to non-oil GDP, a vital step towards achieving economic diversification based on multiple sources of income, according to Hithal. He emphasized that the development plans launched in Iraq aim to increase the private sector's contribution to more than 50 percent of non-oil GDP. He stressed the importance of raising this percentage from 7 percent to 38 percent of the country's capital formation, indicating that these figures are not merely ambitions, but rather part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at providing an attractive business environment for investment, improving legislation, and creating greater opportunities for small and medium enterprises, which represent the backbone of economies.
Modern.
Drawing on international experience, Hathal believes that many countries have already achieved economic growth by activating public-private partnerships. Experiences in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan, as well as in Asian countries such as Malaysia, India, and Turkey, indicate that this partnership can be a major driver of economic growth. These countries have focused on priority sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy, transportation, health, and education. Hathal points out that these countries have achieved remarkable success in these areas because they have invested in sectors that can diversify income sources, create new job opportunities, and contribute to reducing unemployment rates.
The Cabinet approved, in its session last week, the draft law on public-private partnerships and referred it to the House of Representatives.
Hedhal added that the enactment of this law represents a fundamental step toward involving the private sector in major economic and service projects. He explained that through this law, the private sector will be able to actively participate in implementing projects related to infrastructure, energy, health, and education, while ensuring a balanced sharing of risks and returns. This represents an important start toward alleviating the financial pressure on the state and expanding the base of the Iraqi economy.
Despite the encouragement of this type of partnership, Hathal emphasizes that the success of this model depends largely on creating an attractive institutional and investment environment. In countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan, which began adopting this model before Iraq, these countries were able to successfully implement public-private partnership projects due to a favorable institutional environment, as well as strong political will. Hathal points out that the biggest challenges Iraq may face in implementing this law are corruption, bureaucracy, and weak institutions. In order to effectively implement this partnership, he believes that genuine political will is required to implement deep and comprehensive reforms.
Hathal discusses the role of these reforms in enhancing Iraq's financial and social stability. He believes that shifting to an economic model based on public-private partnerships would achieve a qualitative shift in the Iraqi economy and contribute to the creation of diversified sources of income, away from reliance on oil, which is subject to uncertain price fluctuations.
For his part, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Investment Committee, Hussein Ali Al-Sa'bari, stressed the importance of proceeding with the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership Law, as a practical solution to address unemployment and harness the potential of youth.
Al-Saabry told Al-Sabah, "One of the most prominent goals of the partnership is to create job opportunities by operating idle factories and investing in the infrastructure, warehouses, and services available in the public sector, thus serving the private sector as well."
He explained that "the private sector's success in managing companies and institutions gives the public sector an opportunity to transform loss-making entities into profitable enterprises, reducing the burden on the state and maximizing revenues."
He explained that "the partnership will also contribute to reducing the outflow of hard currency, by operating local production lines with modern technology, and providing opportunities for engineers and workers."
"Youth".
Regarding guarantees, Al-Saabari stressed that "workers in these projects will be covered by the Social Security Law, in addition to the possibility of integrating a number of employees from existing factories into partnership contracts."
He emphasized that "the partnership does not represent a threat, but rather an opportunity to revitalize the national economy by bringing abandoned factories back to life and converting them into advanced production lines that will contribute to maximizing revenues rather than remaining a burden on the ministries that own them."
The Prime Minister's Financial Advisor, Dr. Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, emphasizes that public-private partnerships are a pivotal economic tool in the modern era for promoting economic diversification. He told Al-Sabah that these partnerships represent approximately 30 percent of economic activity in many countries, contributing significantly to overcoming government bureaucracy, which leads to resource waste and inefficiency, and enhancing transparency and governance in the implementation of economic projects.
According to Dr. Saleh, implementing this model in Iraq is a fundamental step toward stimulating the national economy, especially in light of the challenges the country faces as a result of its heavy reliance on oil. He added, "Therefore, it is imperative to activate public-private partnerships to achieve development and reduce reliance on oil market fluctuations."
He explained that this model involves leveraging the private sector's expertise in administrative, financial, and technical fields, while the government's ability to provide the appropriate legal and regulatory environment to ensure the success of joint projects. He continued, "Through this partnership, financing can be provided, the use of modern technology expanded, and economic productivity enhanced in the long term."
Iraq also needs an integrated and effective model for this partnership, particularly with the focus on implementing the "dual agency theory," which separates management from ownership, to ensure the highest levels of efficiency in joint projects, according to Dr. Saleh. He emphasized that the State-Private Partnership (PPP) Law is an essential tool for formally and effectively developing this partnership, while ensuring transparency in procedures and achieving a true partnership in ownership and management.
The International Monetary Fund expects a decline in the inflation rate in Iraq.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted in a report issued in April of this year the inflation rate for Arab countries, indicating that Iraq's inflation rate will decline slightly in 2025.
According to data reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, "the annual inflation rate in Iraq recorded 2.6% in 2024, compared to 4.4% in 2023 and 5% in 2022."
The IMF expects Iraq's inflation rate to decline slightly in 2025 to 2.5%, rise to 2.7% in 2026, and reach 3% in 2030.
According to the data, Bahrain is expected to experience the lowest inflation rate among Arab countries in 2025, at 1%, while Sudan will have the highest inflation rate, at 100%.
The International Monetary Fund's "gloomy" forecasts: Iraq leads the "economic decline" in the Middle East and Central Asia.
IssuedInternational Monetary Fund"Pessimistic" forecasts for the global economy for the current year 2025 as a result of the trade tariff war around the world, while it will beIraqThe Middle East and Central Asia are the countries with the most contractionary economies this year.
According to the data, Iraq will be the country with the most declining and contracting economy in the Middle East and Central Asia (-1.5%), followed bySudanWith a contraction of (-0.4%), while all other countries in the region are witnessing economic growth as expected during the current year
.International Monetary FundInternationally, all regions are expected to be negatively affected this year and next, and global inflation continues to decline, albeit at a slower pace, with inflation revised upward by 0.1 percentage points in both years. These trade tensions will significantly impact global trade, with global trade growth expected to fall by more than half, from 3.8% last year to 1.7% this year.
Four months' salaries paid to more than 1,600 new retirees in the Kurdistan Region.
A spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Retirees Union announced on Wednesday that the procedures for more than 1,600 new retirees in the region had been completed for the current month of April. He explained that they will receive their accumulated salaries for four months, while revealing details of the progress of the procedures and the obstacles facing their completion.
Sadiq Othman told Shafaq News Agency, "Recently retired individuals do not need to return to Baghdad to complete their paperwork or prove their presence. The regional government, due to the recent momentum, has asked its governorates to expedite the completion of retiree paperwork internally before re-delegating powers to the central government."
He added, "Before these powers were withdrawn, all transactions were sent to Baghdad for verification and identity verification at the Erbil Retirement Department."
Regarding the reasons for the delay in completing transactions, Othman explained that "there are several factors, the first of which is the mass retirement of a large number of employees at the same time, and the second is the lack of specialized teams and professional expertise necessary to follow up on transactions, which has led to a backlog of work and delayed completion."
He pointed out that "in Sulaymaniyah, for example, there are only 10 to 12 employees handling the files, while approximately 16,000 people have recently retired. This raises a realistic question: Can this small number of employees process the transactions of 16,000 people in just one or two months? In my view, the task is very difficult, especially since approximately 30,000 people have been retired."
Regarding whether it would be possible to complete all new retiree applications by the end of the year, the spokesperson explained, "If the process continues at the same pace we saw in the third month, the predictions that not all applications will be completed may be correct. However, we hope the situation improves, especially in light of the significant pressure exerted to complete this file."
Othman confirmed that "the transactions of approximately 1,600 new retirees have been completed so far for the month of April, and their delayed salaries from January through April will be disbursed in one installment."
He continued: "I don't know whether it will be possible to complete all the retirees' transactions by next May or not. There are approximately 30,000 people who have been referred to retirement, and their transactions were not all completed until April. This means they haven't received their salaries for five months. There have been many complaints and pressures on them, and we don't know whether the reason for the lack of completion is a lack of authority or the weakness of the relevant departments."
"When retirees in Kurdistan are registered on the official lists, Baghdad sends their salaries through approved channels," Othman added.
Talabani calls on Japan to expand its investments in the region.
Pavel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), received Akira Endo, Japanese Ambassador to Iraq, in Sulaymaniyah.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to problems. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation and bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and Japan at all levels.
According to a statement from his media office, Talabani spoke about the active participation of Japanese companies and investors in the Kurdistan Region's markets, expressing hope that Japan would expand its investments in the Kurdistan Region to strengthen infrastructure and provide job opportunities.
Convergence of values and interests: Barzani receives an American delegation on National Prayer Day
Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received an American delegation today, Wednesday (April 23, 2025), headed by the US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor official, Riley Barnes.
A statement from the regional government received by Baghdad Today stated that "the meeting was attended by US Consul General in Erbil, Steve Bittner, where the delegation expressed its happiness to participate in the National Day of Prayer in Kurdistan."
He added that "the two sides discussed the conditions of peaceful coexistence and religious freedoms in the Kurdistan Region," noting that "the two sides also emphasized the importance of expediting the formation of the new ministerial cabinet of the regional government and resuming oil exports as soon as possible."
MP: The budget included changes to some of its provisions, and Parliament is still awaiting its schedules.
Representative of the Coordination Framework, Ahmed Al-Rubaie, confirmed today, Wednesday, that the three-year budget included changes to some of its provisions after the new understandings between Baghdad and Erbil regarding oil costs, noting that the Council is still waiting for the budget tables to arrive from the government.
Al-Rubaie told Al-Maalouma Agency, “The Council of Representatives is still waiting for the budget tables to arrive from the government in order to proceed with the legislative matters related to these tables, although the government has not set a time for sending them to the Council.”
He added, "The budget tables will relate to issues of expenditures, revenues and other expenditures, and today the state is proceeding with the disbursement of funds, as they will not be greatly affected by the delay in sending the budget tables.
Foreign Ministry: Iraq supports Iranian-American negotiations as the only solution to avoid war.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed on Wednesday the purchase of defensive weapons from France, while noting that Iraq supports Iranian-American negotiations as the "only solution" to keep the region away from war.
During a joint press conference with his French counterpart, which was monitored by "Cor," Hussein said, "Our relationship with France is broad," noting that "France played an important role in the international coalition during our war against the terrorist ISIS."
He added that "defense issues and the purchase of weapons from France were discussed," noting that "Iraq supports the stability of Syria to build a comprehensive political process," noting that "the two sides also discussed the growth of terrorism in Syria and how to combat it."
The Foreign Minister continued, "I spoke with my French counterpart about the Iran-US negotiations and the need to keep the region away from war," stressing that "Iraq supports the Iran-US negotiations."
He stressed that "negotiations between Iran and America are the only solution to reach peaceful results and understandings."
Parliament: This year will be without a budget
A representative of the Shiite Coordination Framework criticized the delay of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government in sending the amended budget tables for the years 2024 and 2025 to Parliament, considering this delay a violation of the 2023 Budget Law.
MP Ibtisam al-Hilali, 9th floor, said, "The government did not abide by the provisions stipulated in the 2023 Budget Law, which obligates it to send the amended tables for the years 2024 and 2025 for approval by Parliament, and this is considered a violation of the law."
She explained that "the government's delay in sending the budget led to the suspension of transfers, promotions, and bonuses for employees, in addition to stopping the disbursement of dues to various segments of society, including farmers."
Al-Hilali added that "the Ministry of Finance is currently working on paying employee salaries only, without adding any new allocations or project funding, due to the unavailability of the 2025 budget tables."
Al-Hilali warned that "if the government does not submit the budget schedules to Parliament in the coming period, the current year will be without a budget, and all entitlements, job promotions, and project funding will be transferred to the 2026 budget."
Paris salutes Al-Sudani's efforts to keep Iraq out of regional wars
We support Baghdad's return to its status."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Wednesday that France supports the efforts of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to distance his country from the wars and conflicts in the region, noting Iraq's will to exercise its full sovereignty. He also indicated Paris' support for the Baghdad conferences, explaining that they bring together neighboring countries around Iraq, consolidate Baghdad's return as a center of stability and balance, and consolidate its position in the region. He also noted that they establish new regional cooperation, during a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Baghdad.
French Foreign Ministry: Iraq has regained its role, and we commend Al-Sudani's efforts to distance the country from regional conflict.
Electronic payment: a white revolution against red tape and corruption
With the digital transformation sweeping across the world, electronic payment has become an essential tool for achieving transparency and enhancing economic efficiency.
In Iraq, the transition to digital payment systems is accelerating. This shift has become an urgent necessity to improve financial services and reduce reliance on cash transactions. Dr. Safad Al-Shammari, Chairman of the Baghdad Foundation for Digital Communication and Media, believes that electronic payment is not merely a technical option, but rather "a fundamental gateway to restructuring the economy and achieving development." He noted that "adopting this mechanism will reduce reliance on paper money and limit administrative and financial corruption by documenting transactions digitally, making them difficult to manipulate." Al-Shammari explained that the system contributes to "stimulating investment in financial technology and expanding banking services, which enhances economic justice and reduces the gap in access to financial services." For his part, financial expert Mustafa Akram Hantoush points out that "electronic payment is an effective tool for rationalizing cash use and providing accurate data that contributes to more effective monetary policy formulation." He explains that "the system increases the efficiency of cash management and reduces the cost of printing currency, which directly reflects on reducing inflation rates." Economist Duraid Al-Ghazi criticizes the limited implementation of the system, stressing that "the lack of adequate infrastructure in a number of governorates, weak coverage of electronic payment (POS) devices, and the lack of community education are all factors that hinder the generalization of the experience." He points out that "a large percentage of citizens, especially in the outskirts, do not possess even the minimum level of knowledge about using these systems."
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