News for Iraq February 12th, 2016

High Russian delegation's visit to Iraq .. a big strategic shift in the region
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This is really interesting because Iran just made a swap deal with Russia today too see that here if you want

At a time when talk is sometimes all that Iraq is part of the American system in the region, and that it is linked to Iran, at other times, Moscow has surprised everyone a Russian delegation visited Baghdad large.

The delegation about the attention and expectations to a totally different direction ... The Deputy Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's largest delegation for years, accompanied by, came to Baghdad .. visit of the delegation, which consists of about 100 government officials and business sector came under Moscow's efforts to strengthen trade ties and security with Iraq, which some see as likely to undermine US influence in one of the most sensitive regions of the world.

Following the visit, the Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said that the discussions revolved around ways to provide military assistance to defeat al Daash that dominated the one-third of Iraqi territory in 2014 .. Jaafari said Iraq needs international support from various sources, whether in the context of the international coalition led by the the United States or abroad.

Rogozin, in turn, stressed that Russia is ready to sell passenger aircraft "Sukhoi Super Jet" for Iraq and continue the supplied military aid to fight Daash, referring to the hope that such aid is being used to enable Baghdad to restore the city of Mosul in the north and other areas controlled by the terrorist organization .. He suggested Rogozin hold the next meeting in Mosul; referring to the confidence in the ability of the Iraqi government to implement its pledge to restore the city this year.

Reuters STRINGER

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari

Signed agreements exceeded the limits of security frameworks to include a memorandum of understanding on boosting Iraq's production of electricity, noting that Russia has invested millions of dollars in the past in Iraq's energy sector.

Visions observers have differed about the Russian delegation's visit to Baghdad, especially as it coincided with the Munich talks on ways to push forward the Syrian settlement forward on the one hand, and with the mobility of a senior diplomat Gulf toward Russia on the other hand .. motionless was etcetera visit the King of Bahrain to Moscow, will be followed next month's visit by a Saudi monarch to Moscow. What many see as a convergence between the Gulf states and Russia on the part of the other side, which may contribute to resolving a number of crises that afflict the Middle East now.

It remains the timing and the size of Russia's visit to Baghdad very noticeable interesting, especially since most experts believe that the visit came after the frequent indications of declining Iranian role in Iraq after the nuclear deal, at a time when Washington reduces the ability of Iraqi forces to restore areas controlled by Daash and reluctant to support weapons .. means that Baghdad may be in need of a Russian role an actor can move more freely to achieve the goals they seek.

This is out of the question, especially as it coincides with the magnitude of Russia's role in Syria, which means that it can not a neutral observer, however, says that Moscow is moving to achieve the geopolitical balance in the region.

Finally, Moscow's economic ties with Baghdad remains a goal of the visit, Russian, and so at some point are also on the drawing of a new Iraq in which advanced economy and moderating the balance of regional and international powers, especially since the country is preparing for the return of the era of state absent since 2003.

Omar Abdul Satta
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The arrival of "Banstar 1" and "Almanbad" Russian to Iraq
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These are tanks and there are pictures click that link if you want to see them

Baghdad balances News

A military source said on Friday, the arrival of a new batch of Russian air defense systems "Banstar 1" to Iraq.

The source told / balances News /, that "a new batch of Russian air defense systems, medium-range type"Pantsir-s1 "missiles" Almanbad "short-term arrived today to Iraq."

It is said that the number of Nizmomat Albanstar who arrived to Iraq amounted to 20 out of 48 system contracted by Iraq.

He revealed for security and defense committee member of the parliamentary Majid al-Gharawi, for the imminent arrival of advanced Russian weapons to Iraq as part of agreements between the two parties contracts. Ended 29 

Kurdish soldier becomes Iraqi army hero for destroying 60 car bombs
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—A Kurdish soldier in the Iraqi army has been hailed as a hero for destroying 60 Islamic State (ISIS) car bombs in battle.

Mustafa Mandalawi, said that he personally targeted and destroyed 70 ISIS vehicles in different areas of Iraq 60 of which were packed with explosives and deployed as car bombs.

Iraq’s Defense Minister Khalid al-Obaidi visit Mandalawi in hospital on Thursday where he is being treated for injuries sustained in a recent battle.

In praise of Mandalawi al-Obeidi said "if he destroys 60 car bombs then he equals the Iraqi air force."

A journalist in the hospital ward asked the defense minister if he knew Mandalawi was a Kurd to which he replied, “I just learned this information, I do not know he is a Kurd or Arab, what matters to me is that he is a hero, he is Iraqi and from the Iraqi army.”


Thousands of Kurds serve in the Iraqi army which they joined after an agreement between Erbil and Baghdad in 2005. They participated in the battle of Ramadi last year.
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Iraqi News Articles For February 11th, 2016

Okay so it's Thursday and no RV so you know that means I am already fast forwarded to Tuesday. But you know I will be glued to the calls and the articles.  I hand't posted because there wasn't much to post.  but there are some things I will post today for Iraq, and Iran.
China is still closed for their holiday so not much news coming from there.

Germany to make available 500 mln euros in credit to Iraq
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million euros ($ 566 million) in credit to Iraq which is not earmarked for any specific purpose but the country needs investment in its infrastructure, said Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday after meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi .

"Germany is ready to do what it can .. to stabilise Iraq in view of the big security challenges and economic challenges," said Merkel, adding low oil prices were a big problem for the Iraqi budget.

"So today we have given Iraq credit of 500 million euros for unspecified purposes," she said adding the country's infrastructure needed to be rebuilt to give people hope and encourage them to stay. ($ 1 = .8837 euros) (the Reporting by vBulletin® Andreas Rinke; Writing by vBulletin® Madeline Chambers )
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Shahristani: my resignation in support of Ebadi in concerted efforts to make a change of government system
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Information / follow-up ..

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Science and Technology Hussain al-Shahristani said on Thursday that his resignation came in support of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in a concerted effort to make a change in the government system.

Shahristani said in a statement issued by the ministry and received / information / it is "aware of the need to complete the steps of reform called for by the reference and demanded by the Iraqis loyal support of the draft ministerial change that imposed by the current phase requirements announce our support for the prime minister's position by calling for concerted efforts to make a change in the government system." .

We Alchehrstanb according to the statement "Keep resignations at the disposal of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the interest of the Iraqi people."

Referred to the Higher Education Minister Hussein al-Shahristani is the first minister puts his resignation under Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi after the latter announced near the implementation of ministerial reforms he said it substantial. It ended 25
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Iraqi News for February 6th, 2016

Rafidain Bank will open an office in Erbil for the disbursement of the salaries of employees displaced from Mosul and Anbar

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Twilight News / Rafidain Bank announced on Saturday for the opening of an office in the city of Arbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region to direct and record the names of the employees displaced from the provinces of Anbar and Mosul to receive their monthly salaries.

An official source in the bank for Twilight News, that the latter and according to the instructions issued by the government and the Finance Ministry has identified an office in Erbil for the purpose of direct and record the names of displaced people and followers of the bank employees, who are in the province of Kurdistan.

The source explained that this step comes in the context of relieving the burden on their shoulders and the obstacles they face while receiving their salaries.

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Balutiqh..almalah deducted ten thousand dinars from ironing Card Holder

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Baghdad balances News

I got / balances News / on a document issued by Rasheed Bank, met included the amount of ten thousand dinars for the amounts withdrawn by the owners of the smart card outlets.

The document, "The management of the bank and based on the book of the Ministry of Finance decided to develop a new paragraph within the diversified banking services, so it will work to meet the amount of a commission of ten thousand dinars for the financial amounts drawn by the smart card holders in addition to the commission Alkadih amounting to 2500 dinars for each process Withdrawal".

The government had decided earlier in the deduction of 3% of the salaries of employees and retirees.

The government delayed payment of salaries of state employees while many of the Kurdistan region to cut employees' salaries by half.

Iraqi News for February 5th, 2016

Shabibi is Back?  or maybe never left is more like it but good article

Allawi suggests use of balshabibi and experts to solve economic problems

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 Follow mawazine news

The Chairman of national coalition Ayad Allawi, the Iraqi Government restore former Iraqi Central Bank Governor Sinan Al-Shabibi, hiring Committee of financial experts, and economic organ formation to save Iraq from the economic crisis.

Allawi called on reporters pursued/the balance of news on the Government to "restore using economists and finance, the formation of a body to save the Iraqi economy, steering compass Government from bankruptcy in order to get out of the financial crisis, Iraq intends to create free zones in four provinces, with Central Bank launch $ 6 trillion Iraqi dinar banks, agricultural, industrial, real estate and granted to citizens".

Allawi said that the Iraqi Government in bankruptcy, it must tend to get loans, and had tried, and Finance Minister Hoshyar Zebari discussed successfully securing loans from World Bank limits billion and 200 million dollars, and there are attempts underway to get $ 2 billion.

Iraqi Parliament Speaker was Selim Jabouri called, today, the World Bank, to support Iraq economically out of financial crisis.

The Finance Ministry has formed a Committee to raise non-oil revenues the State to confront the financial crisis, the country, after a drop in oil prices in world markets. Ended 29/d 24

Italy to open olive oil factory in Iraqi Kurdistan, train farmers
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HEWLÊR-Erbil, Kurdistan region ‘Iraq’,— Italy will train Kurdish farmers working in olive groves and open a plant in Iraq’s Kurdistan region to make olive oil, local farming officials told Rudaw.

Samir Ismael, an agricultural official in Kurdistan, told Rudaw that “the Italian government provided 789,000 euros for this project,” adding that the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) will monitor the process.

According to Iraqi government data in 2008, there are 169,400 olive trees in the Kurdistan region, but most are used for purposes other than producing olives for consumption.

Since the release of that data, Kurdish officials have imported more than 1.7 million olive trees from Syria, Turkey, Italy and Spain, providing an opportunity to 800 new Kurdish farmers to enter the farming sector to grow olives.

“According to the agreement the Italian team will establish the factory in the Kurdistan region in the next 90 days,” Ismael said, adding that experts from the company will remain until the company begins production of olive oil.

He explained that the factory will only to produce olive oil in the first phase, and that more factories will be needed to produce other commodities, including soap.

The factory will be managed by Kurdish olive grove owners, in an agreement with the Kurdish government.

Hashim Kamal, one of the land owners who will work with the factory, said, “We will run the factory with CIHEAM organization.”

After the Islamic State group took control of the Bashik olive factory, the Kurdistan region has only one factory, Mala Umara, for producing olive oil.

The new olive oil factory will be established in the Khabat neighborhood of Erbil. Most of the olive trees in Kurdistan region are in Erbil and Duhok provinces.
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Tomorrow .. Abdul-Mahdi and a group of experts to discuss activating the work of the national oil company
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BAGHDAD - scales News

Discusses the Oil Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, on Saturday, with a group of oil experts, the economy and the reality of the oil policy and activating the work of the national oil company.

According to a statement received / balances News /, a copy of which, "The Institute of the progress of the policy development in the Jadiriyah held tomorrow important seminar at the Institute's headquarters Bagadirah in Baghdad about the reality of the oil policy and activating the work of the national oil company in the presence of Oil Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and a group of oil experts and economists." .

The statement, that "the seminar run by MP Mehdi al-Hafez will be held at 10:30 on Saturday morning," .anthy 29/9

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Central believes the pillars of the protection of "electronic dinar" civil and banks confirms its readiness for use

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ong-Presse / Baghdad

The Central Bank of Iraq, said Friday that the e-dinar technology facilitates financial transactions and sings for the cash payment and its problems, noting that it has developed a lot of technical and regulatory foundations for the launch and insurance protection in collaboration with the companies "solid", while expressed Association of Iraqi banks, private banks ability to dealing with that technology, particularly that 20 of them have e-services currently.

A member of the Board of the Central Bank, Ahmed Rehn, said in an interview to the (long-Presse), said that "electronic payment (e-dinar) technical issue concerned with facilitating financial transactions to the public, and Ngnehm for cash payment, which cause a lot of delays and problems, as well as it reduces costs, "adding that" the Central Bank was attended by a lot of technical and regulatory foundations for the launch and insurance protection in collaboration with specialized and reputable companies. "

He added Rehn, that "private banks suffer several problems, including those related to liquidity, as a result of mistakes in the management of its financial resources and employ them," noting that "the private banks did not anticipate the risks, one of the most important banking controls, which expanded by about more than potential, but Zllk not It prevents them from exercising the electronic payment process of being separate from the availability of liquidity. "

He stressed Rehn, that "electronic payment is not the first step the central bank in the development of the banking system, as it worked since 2004 on the intraday settlement system (RTGS) in settling the high interest payment orders, where she has electronic trading taking place between the banks and the central bank on the one hand, and banks with each other hand, "pointing out that" the e-dinar step in a series of steps the central bank to develop banking business and to facilitate things citizens. "

For his part, Executive Director of the Association of Banks, Ali Tariq, said in an interview to the (long-Presse), he said that "a lot of private banks are able to move to electronic payment and dealing with the system," noting that "among those banks electronic services developed working on nearly a daily basis, in various dealings. "

Tariq said, "The 20 banks waged operate electronic payment cards for years," she returned to "electronic dinar service will lead to increased competition among private banks by about contributing to the development potential and mechanisms of its work."

In turn called financial expert, on behalf of Jamil Antoine, in an interview to the (long-Presse), to "educate citizens about the benefits of e-dinar, and improve the ability of the banking system and training to deal with the new technology which supports liquidity and reduce cash use of paper and the problems that accompany it," attributing it to "weakness of the banking sector the confidence of citizens."

He called Antoine, the need to "address the private banks problems, some of which are suffering serious problems," following the "worrying signs have emerged in 2012 on the development of banks in Iraq, as a result treated 11 percent with the Iraqis only with them, according to Central Bank statistics, and the small number of its branches and other negative indicators. "

And saw a financial expert, that there is "an urgent need to prepare the banks for dealing with electronic payment technology to ensure not get negative reaction on them," returned that "the reform of the banking business and the enactment of necessary laws to require, as well as tighter controls on banks."

The Central Bank of Iraq, announced in (the first of February, the current 2016), his willingness application of the electronic payment system and the launch of e-dinar, about contributing up to deal with the banks and reduce the problems of the cash deal, calling on government agencies to take advantage of them, while the Economic Commission parliamentary stressed importance of electronic financial systems in the fight against "corruption and bribes."

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Iraqi News for February 3rd, 2016

Sunday and Monday next couple .. Workers' pensions Exchange
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BAGHDAD / JD / .. of the Ministry of Labour and Social / retirement circle Affairs social workers and security called for creditors of campaign cards, the "Ki-Card" and "manual exchange" to receive pensions for the months of January and February will be held on the seventh and eighth of this February.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Labour Ammar Menem in a written statement / dinars / received a copy of it: that the workers pay of creditors of card holders of the "Ki-Card" will be on Sunday of next week (the seventh of February will), what would be the salaries of employees exchange (exchange manual) on Monday (February eighth of this).
Menem said that the amount of pensions turned to the General Administration of the Rafidain Bank for the purpose of distribution in accordance with the dates who identified above. / End / 22 /
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Iraqi News for February 2nd, 2016

An electronic system to simplify the procedures and the fight against corruption

http://www.alsabaah.iq/ArticleShow.aspx?ID=109650

love  that word activate!

2/2/2016 0:00 

Workshop government develop infrastructure levies and reduce costs
 BAGHDAD - morning
and placed a workshop governmental specialized, perceptions and mechanisms to activate the payment system and collection-mail to eliminate corruption and to reduce operational costs and financial exchange, said Governor of the Central Bank on the Keywords: that the intention is to deposit all salaries in banks government and private and connecting millions of citizens banking network, and stressed that the mechanisms to allow the organization of transactions and procedures away from the bureaucracy and corruption and exposing the money to the looting. 
He Keywords confidence b «the possibility of the government to go beyond the economic crisis this year by some of the measures that have been agreed upon, and one of them bond offering national and encourage citizens to acquire, as will achieve a good return for them instead of being money stacked have », adding that« the central put interest on those bonds comparable to what exists of external benefits, because Iraq needs the local currency and not to the dollar, which is received from oil imports ». In turn, the chairman of the economic and investment commission in the House of Representatives Jawad al disclosed that the parliament will put the plan to form a speeding channel to accelerate the legislation of laws in order to keep up with the reform steps undertaken by the state-sponsored institutions and with dedication.
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Iraq inches towards a modern economy
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I'm excited because Iran put out an article very similiar to this one too...

The availability of financial instruments and reform in the Iraqi banking sector are relatively new concepts. Andreas Meletiou, the CEO of Standard Chartered for Iraq operations, talks about some of the changes that are necessary for the development of a modern banking sector equipped to support the growth of the Iraq economy.

The banking sector in Iraq is in a state of continued development. A solid institutional framework and capital structures are only beginning to be put in place in the country now. For example, to finance large projects, whether in the hydrocarbons or infrastructure sectors, a robust legal framework is essential to attracting international investors and lenders.

FRAMEWORK: Project financing is not widely available in Iraq. Local banks are not well equipped to finance large projects, and international banks have limited appetite. The significance of funding from international lenders in project financing should not be underestimated, and availability of such funding requires the right framework to be in place.
An independent power plant, for example, would require equity investments by the developer, as well as the full support of the government through power offtake and fuel supply agreements. The participation of multilateral institutions, export credit agencies and established developers and contractors would also help to attract project financing from international banks to the country.

BANKING SECTOR MODERNISATION: A more level playing field between state-owned banks and private banks – both domestic and international – would also bring positive change, not only to the banking sector, but also to Iraq’s economy in general. A modern economy requires a modern banking sector. In turn, a modern banking sector cannot solely depend on state-owned banks.
While state-owned banks play a key role in an economy, a modern economy also needs strong private sector banks. The Iraqi government and the Central Bank of Iraq have recently introduced some welcome changes in regulations, partly allowing private sector banks to directly deal with ministries and state-owned entities. However, more work is needed in this regard, as moving away from historical practices can be challenging in itself.

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS: Iraq recently obtained its inaugural credit rating. While it is not a particularly strong one – Fitch gave Iraq a rating of B- in August 2015 – this is a positive step forward for the country.
The credit rating supports Iraq’s ambitions to tap the international capital markets after almost a decade. It also creates a baseline from which to bring about necessary change, highlighting key issues and creating a sense of urgency in addressing gaps and inefficiencies. The country has historically been the host of a centrally planned economy, dominated by its public sector.

PRIVATE SECTOR: A strong private sector will need to be developed in the country over the coming years.
While the transition from a centrally planned economy to a more private sector-led one will be a challenge, Iraq, just as any other nascent economy, will have to travel the path.
A strong private sector would be able to assist the government in rebuilding Iraq. The reconstruction effort depends solely on state finances, compressed by low oil prices.
The development of a strong private sector combined with a strong banking sector, would have better equipped Iraq to weather the challenges of the low oil price environment and would have been able to, at least partly, continue the country’s much needed infrastructure development programme.

Iraqi News Articles For February 1st, 2016

Dry: Bank of Iraq for the first trade electronically in Iraq
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I could have sworn banks were already doing things electronically but hey whatever

Our economy / Baghdad

Iraq Trade Bank Director Hamdiya dry announced that the bank is the first on the level of Iraq in the use of electronic services in financial transactions and providing service to customers and government departments.
She said dry in the statement summarized by the agency, "our economy" news that "Iraq Bank of Commerce was the first bank locally who committed the directives of the Central Bank of Iraq, which states reduce the use of cash in the transfer or other banking transactions and the adoption of electronic payment, and this is what action the bank was by her own father in electronic trading Batmayora global electronic payment cards such as Visa Card and Master Card. "
"The bank is the first to introduce information technology in his calculations and his dealings with depositors, the first who issued an electronic card and is today internationally recognized and used by many state institutions, ministries and bodies in the payment of salaries to its employees." 

According to this, the bank founded after the collapse of the former regime have already leading banks in Iraq in the use of modern technology in the financial dealings. 

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The central bank is preparing to launch the e-dinar recommends depositing the salaries of
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ong-Presse / Baghdad

The Central Bank of Iraq, on Monday, ready for the application of the electronic payment system and the launch of e-dinar about contributing up to deal with the banks and reduce the problems of the cash deal, calling on the government agencies to take advantage of them, while economic Parliamentary Committee stressed the importance of the electronic financial systems in the fight against "corruption and bribery ".

This came during a press conference held by Governor of the Central Bank and the Agency, on the Keywords, with a number of specialists economists, in the wake of a workshop payment system and collection mail in Iraq, which was held under the slogan (electronic payment methods starting point for financial inclusion), which was held within the region Green, in central Baghdad, and attended (range Press).

Keywords and said, "The central bank was prepared infrastructure for payment systems that allow the application of electronic payment for the collection or adjustments to the different agencies, including the state departments mechanism", noting that "the infrastructure done by the Bank will provide ample space to enter the collection and electronic payment and use the card systems e. "

He said the governor, that "the central bank will launch e-dinar soon to facilitate the payment of money by mobile phone," noting that "cash handling involves many of the economic and organizational problems, and that the electronic payment reduces bureaucracy and corruption as well as theft and assault."

Keywords said, that "electronic payment will go through a number of stages, the first of awareness of its advantages and apply optionally campaign," calling on government agencies to "take advantage of this service."

Said Governor of the Central Bank and the Agency, that "the Bank will recommend the government to deposit employees' salaries of all government and private banks during the next term in a move that will connect millions of new people to banks and get them used to the use of electronic financial services and take advantage of its benefits," pointing out that "ten percent of citizens only on relationship banking and financial institutions currently. "

For his part, adviser to the Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdul Hussein Al-Anbuge, during the conference, said that "the success of the payment of retirees and displaced salaries through the smart card, encouraged the expansion of the experience there to be a bank account for each employee experience," he returned that "it could be an employee who gets his salary that way from paying wages collection of the State or the purchase of goods and services. "

He said the head of the parliamentary economic committee, Jawad al-Bolani, in his speech during the press conference, "The House of Representatives is keen to legislation all the associated financial and economic matters," adding that "the Commission will accelerate necessary for the application of the electronic financial systems and legislation of laws."

Bolani stressed the importance of "electronic collection and e-dinar in the fight against corruption and bribery."

The electronic financial systems scattered in abundance in various countries of the world, including many from the Arab, unlike Iraq, which is still in its infancy in this area as a result of the difficult conditions experienced by.