News Articles For March 7th, 2016

Rafidain Bank in response to the Commission Starts to Pay (Updated)

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Monday 07-03-2016 | 8:59:36  sounds like a liquidity issue maybe???

Twilight News / Rafidain Bank on Monday denied reports that indicated deliberately military retirees pay the salaries under false pretenses delay, attributing the reason for non-payment of the salaries due to delayed retirement Authority to provide financial cover to the Rasheed Bank.

The general director of the bank on behalf Kamal al-Hassani said in a statement responded to the Twilight News, said that the main reason for non-payment of military pensions is delayed retirement Authority to provide financial cover to the Rasheed Bank and the failure of the Rasheed Bank converts the amount up to this day, to the Rafidain Bank, pointing out that they were promised that The amount will be converting on Tuesday.

The accused and the defense of parliamentary security committee yesterday Rafidain Bank intentionally delaying the military pensions under false pretenses, uncertain availability of funds.

UPDATE
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Rafidain Bank begins to pay the salaries of retirees 

Rafidain Bank announced on Monday, the start of payment of military pensions and the campaign of the smart card arrears to banks.

A source told the'madar News', said the Rafidain Bank began to pay the salaries of retired military campaign and the smart card after the bank delayed payment, adding that the delay is due to reasons of Rafidain Bank.

The source , who requested anonymity, said there was no truth to the news that dealt with some of the media.

 ENDIran, China to launch oil cooperation in Iraq

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TEHRAN, Mar. 07 (MNA) – NIDC managing director has announced the launch of negotiations with a Chinese company on joint implementation of oil projects in Iraq.

Managing Director of the National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) Heidar Bahmani described new plans for running oil projects in Iraq saying “for implementation of certain oil projects in Iraq, we have conducted talks with China, the winner of the Iraqi tender, in order to supply some required equipment.”

Bahmani also announced ongoing talks with some European companies present in Iraq in order to run join collaboration in Northern and Southern areas of the neighbor country; “moreover, negotiations are being held with Kuwait on carrying out joint Projects in the Persian Gulf littoral state.”

The official pointed out the provision of proper grounds for Iran’s presence in the international market commenting “we were not able to transfer drilling equipment to neighboring countries during sanction years while the issue has been completely resolved with the elimination of sanctions clearing the path for Iran’s more visible presence in Persian Gulf littoral states.”

Touching upon the dialogue with Italian firms, NIDC managing director explained “currently, an agreement is being sealed with Italians based on which the European side will undertake the investment portion while NIDC will carry out the drilling activities.”

“Furthermore, talks are being held with Singaporean firms on implementing offshore projects with Singapore providing finance and Iran offering equipment and facilities,” continued the official.

He also referred to plans to supply drilling rigs in the coming year asserting “certain Memoranda of Understanding have been inked with Chinese firms to supply rigs.”

“Since the Islamic Revolution, the number of drilling rigs in the country has risen from 6 to 75 while the figure will reach 80 in the next Iranian year (to begin March 20),” maintained Bahmani.

Stating that purchase of each offshore drilling rig demands at least $ 200 million, the official reiterated “we intend to increase the number of rigs with the participation of Iranian or foreign investors within the framework of lease-purchase contracts.”
END

Parliamentary Finance: raise taxes without providing services angers citizens
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AGHDAD / Economy News ...

 

 

Parliamentary Finance Committee stressed the need to restructure the functional system of the state before starting to impose new fees on citizens, calling for a fight against the corrupt and bring them to justice, while economists called for to sustain the service institutions of the collected money itself.

 

The Baghdad Provincial Council, revealed his intention to impose a fee on vehicles entering the capital from other provinces, a total of up to one billion dinars per day, while the Municipality of Baghdad that has shown to have a plan to bring Baghdad International Airport to invest Street as well as a group of "investment opportunities" Other .

She said a member of the Finance Committee Magda Tamimi in an interview, said that most of the civilized world depends on their economies to collect taxes to meet the multiple unparalleled views submitted to an integrated services to its citizens without discrimination, "he recalls.

She added that "most oil-producing countries began today forgoes its resources to meet activating investment and tax aspects that have averaged ratio of 70% of the budget of those countries." 

Tamimi explained that "the low performance and mismanagement of successive governments for years and contributed significantly to the waste of billions of dollars, which, if invested correctly contributed to building countries like Jordan and Syria."

He showed that "insisting on receiving losers and corrupt Mokhtlsa public money has bedeviled the local economy and treasury went bankrupt and therefore the infrastructure destroyed most of the basic services that are lacking citizen now."

Tamimi confirmed that "economic reform is not by imposing material fee borne by the citizens, but also the duty of the government to develop plans and in-depth studies of how to provide services on an ongoing basis and claim Bogeorha of citizens."

She continued that "pervasive in various aspects of the state of financial corruption prevents the provision of the most basic services, which will be wasted tax money to be collected in various ways."

And increased that. "Restructure the career system of the State and the fight against the corrupt and bring them to spend the first steps of reform."   

In turn, the economic expert on behalf of Abdul Hadi said in an interview for the "long", that "the financial crisis experienced by the country prompted the government to find alternatives to increase its financial resources by imposing some taxes to meet submission services to citizens."

He added that "the development of detailed plans for how to increase pre-tax aspects of the citizens would decode the confusion that gets between some local and central institutions."

He said Abdul Hadi said "the money collected be motivated by a regulatory rather than financial, that the aim of collecting the money should be allocated to sustain the infrastructure of the services provided and not to increase the public treasury money on the welfare of the expense of the citizen."

And that "many government institutions raced to the imposition of multiple taxes titles without a thorough study of the feasibility and the amount of money withdrawn would aggravate the discontent among the public in general."

Asked Abdel-Hadi, "Is there a law that regulates the multiplicity of the updated tax? And how the money is imposed by the government institutions that control?"

He stressed that "the overall financial controls to prevent institutions from the redistribution of collection money their own without reference to the Federal Ministry of Finance, which is her right to determine the priorities of the ruling in the exchange process."

He said. "Impose a $ 1000 dinars to the entrants to the capital Baghdad and the collection of the Ministry of Health for a specific amount of visitors to patients do not represent large sums of money without having stats Dqiqih total individual beneficiaries of the service and the need for concentration of funds to sustain the infrastructure of these institutions." 

 The head of the investment committee in the Baghdad Provincial Council Burhanuddin Ishaq said, Monday (February 15, 2016), the Council discussed the possibility of collecting money from vehicles entering Baghdad and to vote on it at next week's session. "

He Isaac, that "nearly one million vehicle entering Baghdad daily, and the collection of about one billion dinars, of which if imposed thousand dinars on each one of them, as they are working with many countries around the world," noting that it "can provide the funds needed to sustain the streets and implementation other projects, in light of the Council's budget reduced by half as a result of the financial crisis. "

For his part, said a spokesman for the secretariat of Baghdad, Hakim Abdul Zahra, that the secretariat is studying with the Department of Transportation, which is responsible for Baghdad International Airport, the possibility of collecting money from passing vehicles on the airport road, because they offer services in it, "adding that" the secretariat was still studying a group of other investment opportunities, and to identify suitable land for it. "

He said Abdul-Zahra, the "Projects Department in the Secretariat is working to end the private investment plan for capital actions, having announced by the misses them,"she returned to "new investment opportunities include surprise for the young and unemployed," without revealing details.

Iraqi Articles For March 6th, 2016

Iqbal directed the adoption of smart card regardless of employees' salaries
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BAGHDAD / ... the face of the Minister of Education Mohammad Iqbal, Sunday, the adoption of smart card "Ironing Card" in the personnel of all districts pay the salaries, between that the ministry is keen to protect the lives of its staff and take all means to prevent the theft of employees' salaries, particularly the adoption of electronic payment method.

A statement from the Office of the Minister of Education received the "Eye of Iraq News," a copy of the "blockbuster face of the Directorate General for Financial Affairs, authorize Messrs education administrators in Baghdad and the provinces, contracting with competent companies in this field in order to facilitate the receipt of their monthly salaries and protection is borne of thieves and criminals."

"The guidance Iqbal stressed that reputable companies are distinguished in the field of ironing card, with a focus on the opening of many centers in various regions in the province in order to facilitate the receipt of a private Salaries in remote areas."

He stressed "the need to spare the educational cadres state of targeting them and their paychecks operations," he said. "These measures come after repeated cases of theft, armed 

robbery, as happened in Basra and elsewhere."

Iraqi News for March 4th, 2016

Video .. proliferation of armed men in front of the gates of the Green Zone in Baghdad, chanting the name of al-Sadr

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You have to click the link to go to the video

J p

Twilight News / trading a number of activists on the pages of social networking sites on a video recording showed the number of people carrying guns and waving them up and chanting the name of the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr near the place surrounded by walls "concrete" was said to be the Green Zone, the fortified gates of Baghdad.

Watch the video:

Video Player

Articles for February 28th, 2016

S&P: REPUBLIC OF IRAQ 'B-/B' RATINGS AFFIRMED DESPITE LOWER OIL PRICE ASSUMPTIONS; OUTLOOK STABLE
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okay so they are affirming Iraq's rating maybe next I will get my rating for Iran hahah

On Feb. 26, 2016, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'B-' long-term and 'B' short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on the Republic of Iraq. The outlook is stable. The transfer and convertibility (T&C) assessment remains at 'B-'.

Iraq, February 28, 2016 Show Video | Download Video In mid-January 2016, Standard & Poor's lowered its oil price assumptions for Brent by about $20 per barrel (/bbl) over 2016-2019. We now assume $40/bbl in 2016, and an average of $46/bbl in 2016-2019 (see "Related Research" below). When we last reviewed Iraq in August 2015, we expected Brent oil prices to average $55/bbl in 2016 and $65/bbl in 2016-2019. Current prices for crude oilin spot and futures markets are about 70 per cent below mid-2014 levels, when prices began to slide. Iraqi crude trades at about a $5/bbl discount to Brent. Our rating on Iraq is constrained by its war with the so-called Islamic State (IS or Daesh), as well as by its political institutions, which are in an earlystage of development, and sectarian divisions between the Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish ethnic groups. The rating is also constrained by high fiscal and external deficits and, as a consequence, sharply rising debt. Iraq's rising oil production and massive oil reserves underpin our rating. Iraq has the world's fifth-largest proven crude oil reserves and is the second-largest oil exporter in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Oil dominates the Iraqi economy, contributing over 60 per cent of GDP, 90 per cent of government revenues, and more than 95 per cent of exports. In recent months, the Iraqi forces and their allies have retaken some territories that IS controls, such as Ramadi (west of Baghdad) and Baiji (the site of Iraq's largest oil refinery). IS previously controlled large areas in the country's north and east. Although it still controls Iraq's second largest city, Mosul, its territorial control of Northwest Iraq has shrunk significantly since our last review. Crucially, over 85 per cent of Iraq's oil fields and production are located in the south of the country close to Basra, the main port for crude exports. These are Shia-controlled areas at some distance from IS-controlled areas and the conflict. Within our rating, we assume that the federal government will remain in control of these assets. They are the key support for the rating. In 2014, faced by the then-rising IS threat, Iraq elected a new government. In September of that year, Haider Al-Abadi became prime minister. Mr. Al-Abadi isviewed as more inclusive and secular in his approach than his predecessor, which is easing ethnic tensions and improving relations with the U.S., one of Iraq's key allies. In August 2015, Mr. Al-Abadi announced reform measures, including cuts in the size of government, in response to escalating social protests across the country spurred by electricity blackouts and unsatisfactory social services. Many Iraqis believe that the government reforms have yet to bear fruit. After a 2.2 per cent contraction in 2014 and estimated 0.3 per cent growth in 2015, real GDP growth will by our projection likely rise to an average of 6 per cent in 2016-2019, assuming the government's expansion of oil production proceeds as planned. In January 2016, Iraq's oil production had already reached 4.1 million barrels per day (bpd), which was the target the government planned to achieve by the end of the 2016. This compares with targeted exports of 3.6 million bpd in 2016, up from 2.5 million bpd in 2014. We think that Iraq's oil output could reach 5 million-5.5 million bpd by 2019 (with exports of about 4.5 million-5 million bpd). We think that Iraq's oil output could reach 5 million-5.5 million bpd by 2019 (with exports of about 4.5 million-5 million bpd). We expect domestic demand will remain weak for at least two years, owing to the war against IS, internally displaced populations, and general social uncertainty. The internal and external shocks--the IS conflict and sharply lower oil revenues--that Iraq has faced since 2014 have hurt public finances. We project the general government fiscal deficit will rise to 18 per cent of GDP in 2015 and 14 per cent of GDP in 2016 from a deficit of 5.5 per cent of GDP in 2014. The widening deficit will result largely from falling oil revenues and high military and humanitarian expenditures. We think that the IMF's Staff-Monitored Program approved in December 2015, will help restore some order to public finances and pave the way to a possible IMF financing arrangement in 2016, which could include budgetary support. The drop in oil revenues is hurting the government's debt position. We understand that domestic issuance is the main funding source for the 2016 government financing requirement. We expect most of the debt will be taken up by Iraq's commercial banks, led by the two largest: Raffidain Bank and Rashid Bank. We expect that the banks will fund these purchases by incremental deposit growth and by repurchase operations with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). In addition, the government has indicated it is planning external financing from the IMF, the World Bank, and bilateral creditors, as well as from a possible Eurobond offering. We project that general government debt will average 78 per cent of GDP in 2016-2019, up from about 39 per cent of debt in 2014. Iraq's debt stock has benefited from an 80 per cent haircut that the government negotiated with its Paris Club creditors in 2003-2004. Iraq's current account has typically run a surplus thanks to the country's large oil exports. However, we expect the current account balance will turn to a deficit and remain in deficit until 2019 because of the sharp drop in the oil prices. We forecast Iraq's current account deficit will average 5 per cent of GDP in 2016-2019, compared with an average surplus of 10 per cent of GDP in 2011-2014. We understand that the current account deficits will be financed by a substantial drawdown of official foreign exchange reserves, as well as external borrowing.We forecast external debt, net of public and financial sector external assets, at about eight per cent of current account receipts during 2016-2019, and we estimate average gross external financing needs as a percentage of current account receipts and usable reserves at about 82 per cent. Inflation currently remains low, with consumer price inflation in the low single digits (approximately 2.2 per cent in 2014). We expect that the CBI will maintain the dinar peg to the U.S. dollar, albeit with minor fluctuations, unless financing conditions are more difficult than we currently expect. While the peg has helped control inflation, it limits the CBI's monetary flexibility. Moreover, although the liabilities and guarantees of the domestic banks appear high compared with the fair value of their assets, we view financial sector stability as a secondary issue compared with the country's security and the consequences of negative terms of trade. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that Iraq's large fiscal and external deficits will be financeable, and that its conflict with IS will be contained. It also incorporates our forecast of a return to strong growth from 2016 thanks to the increases we project in Iraqi oil production and oil exports. END Commerce Minister directs supermarkets company regardless of staff salaries urgently LINK more promises of people to be paid this week   Shafaq News / The Minister of Trade and agency Mohamed Xiaa Sudan on Sunday, the public company Central Markets regardless salaries of its employees quickly through coordination with the banks and the reason for the delay in the disbursement of salaries process. Sudan said in a statement, said the ministry is following the payment of salaries for employees of supermarkets company who delayed paychecks for reasons of administrative and financial procedures in the company's process itself We have drawn Directors resolving the matter and the distribution of staff entitlements fully and without delay. He added that the face of general manager of the company regardless of the employees' salaries urgently and without delay, after coordination with one of the existing private banks had deposits of the company mentioned. And on the same level Abdul Mohsen al-Rikabi said director of the company that employees' salaries will be spent this week in coordination with the National Bank and after the completion of the Office of the ministry and its distribution of salaries. END US APPROVES $350M BEECHCRAFT IRAQ DEAL LINK The US State Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Iraq for KA-350 [King Air 350] sustainment, logistics, and spares support. The estimated cost is $350 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on February 23, 2016. The Government of Iraq is requesting a five-year sustainment package for its KA-350 fleet that includes operational and intermediate depot level maintenance, spare parts, component repair, publication updates, maintenance training, and logistics. The Iraq Air Force (IqAF) operates five (5) King Air 350 ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and one (1) King Air 350 aircraft. The KA-350 aircraft are Iraq’s only ISR-dedicated airborne platforms and are used to support Iraqi military operations against Al-Qaeda affiliates and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) forces. The purchase of a sustainment package will allow the IqAF to continue to operate its fleet of six (6) KA-350 aircraft beyond September 2016 (end of the existing Contract Logistics Support (CLS) effort). Iraq will have no difficulty absorbing this support. The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States by helping to improve a critical capability of the Iraq Security Forces in defeating ISIL. The prime contractor will be Beechcraft Defense Company, Wichita, KS. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Iraq. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.  END

Iraqi News For February 24th, 2016

eServGlobal Launches Zain Cash Mobile Money Service In Iraq
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eServGlobal Launches Zain Cash Mobile Money Service In Iraq

Alliance News

eServGlobal Launches Zain Cash Mobile Money Service In Iraq

Tue, 23rd Feb 2016 08:53

LONDON (Alliance News) - eServGlobal Ltd said Tuesday its mobile-phone payment services have been launched commercially in Iraq under the name Zain Cash.
The payments company said it launched Zain Cash together with its partner, mobile-phone operator Zain Group.The service, which is offered by Iraq Wallet, a company authorised by the Central Bank of Iraq, allows customers make financial transactions using their mobile phones, linking their wallets to their SIM cards.
The service had its soft launch in Iraq in January.
"We are proud to be working with this innovation operator group as they roll out market-leading solutions across rapidly evolving markets," said eServGlobal Executive Chairman John Conoley.
eServGlobal shares were down 4.0% at 2.52 pence on Tuesday morning.
By Hannah Boland; hannahboland@alliancenews.com; @Hannaheboland
Copyright 2016 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Mobile Money Goes Live in Iraq With 'Zain Cash'

http://www.barchart.com/headlines/story/73630/mobile-money-goes-live-in-iraq-with-zain-cash

PRNW - Tue Feb 23, 1:05AM CST

BARCELONA, Spain , February 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
eServGlobal (LSE: ESG.L & ASX: ESV.AX) is pleased to announce the commercial launch of mobile money services with Zain Iraq. The service was soft-launched in January and has already attracted strong interest.
     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120730/552126 )
The service is called 'Zain Cash' and is offered by Iraq Wallet, which is an authorised company from the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). Through Zain Cash, customers can have a mobile wallet linked to their SIM card, enabling customers to make financial transactions easily and at any time (Cash-In/Cash-out, transfer money from one wallet to another, recharge for prepaid account & bill payment for postpaid account).
Scott Gegenheimer , CEO , Zain Group , said, "We are embracing the opportunity to launch new services that improve the livelihoods of the communities we serve, and through eServGlobal's solution, we will be able to offer life-enhancing mobile services and cement our position as a market leader in the mobile-money arena across our region."
John Conoley , Exec u tive Chairman, eServGlobal , said, "We are proud to be working with this innovative Operator Group as they roll out market-leading solutions across rapidly evolving markets. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Zain Group to launch mobile financial services across their operations."
eServGlobal has a framework agreement with the Zain Group to provide end-to-end mobile money and EVD (electronic voucher distribution for prepaid rechage) solutions across Zain Group's operations.
Mobile money, mobile financial services, mobile recharge and distribution are key elements in the Zain Group strategy. Through innovative product design and marketing strategies, Zain aims to maximise the benefit of mobile money, electronic recharge and distribution, giving customers new alternatives to financial transactions and account recharge. Zain Group coverage extends to more than 45.6 million customers spanningKuwait , Bahrain , Iraq , Jordan , Lebanon , Saudi Arabia , South Sudan and Sudan . Notably, in several of Zain's markets, over 90% of the population does not have access to banking facilities.
Zain's mobile commerce services have a transformational effect on unbanked populations as they open financial systems to formally excluded population segments. This kind of change is crucial in emerging markets where financial inclusion is key to economic development.
eServGlobal is showcasing their mobile money solutions at the Mobile World Congress inBarcelona , 22 - 25 February. eServGlobal will be hosting a live demonstration on its stand located at Hall 7 Stand i61.

Pictures .. Iraq Receives compounds [tactical] US
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[Where - Baghdad]
seventh Iraqi Army Division stationed received in Anbar province, a number of US military vehicles "tactical."

The US embassy in Baghdad, on the front page of the social networking site [Facebook], "The coalition led by the United States forces on February 13, to provide the seventh division of the Iraqi army in the al-Asad air base, a number of tactical vehicles medium light volume [ LMTV]. "
She explained," has been donated to these vehicles to Iraq by training and arming Iraq Trust Fund, which aims to strengthen the capacity of the Iraqi security forces, "Musharh that" the processing of this band, in addition to the exercises lead to the lifting partner capabilities, and enable the Iraqi security forces in war against Daash. "
END

DEFENSE CONTRACTORS ARE BACK IN BUSINESS IN IRAQ
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Iraq, February 24, 2016 Show Video | Download Video

The number of private contractors working for the U.S. Defense Department in Iraq grew eight-fold over the past year, a rate that far outpaces the growing number of American troops training and advising Iraqi soldiers battling Islamic State militants.

The sharp increase, disclosed in a recent Pentagon report to Congress, underscores the military’s reliance on civilians even for missions with relatively small troop presence.

“If you look at the size and the composition of the forces that have been deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, that’s changed markedly in the past year,” said Rick Brennan, a senior political scientist at the RAND Corp. and a retired Army officer.

As of January, 2,028 contractors were in Iraq, up from just 250 one year earlier, according to the Pentagon’s data. There are roughly 3,700 American troops there now, compared to 2,300 in January 2015.

That number of military contractors represents just a fraction of the contractors employed by the U.S. in Iraq. In addition to the 2,028 Pentagon contractors, another 5,800 are employed by other agencies, including the State Department.

In the 1980s, the U.S. military decided to hire contractors to work in support roles that had historically been done by troops. That includes jobs like food services, maintaining housing units, water purification and “all those those other things that go with maintaining troops in the field for a long time,” Brennan said. The plus-up in Iraq is likely for contractors in those types of roles.

“What’s occurred then is as you deploy more forces to theater, you have to provide increased total number of contractors,” Brennan said.

During the Iraq War, there was a little bit more than one-to-one ratio of contractors to soldiers, he said. Now in Iraq, more than 30 percent (618) of the contractors are working in maintenance and logistics jobs. Nearly 20 percent (381) are translators and 13 percent (263) are in base support positions, according to the data. 

Contractors are also working in security, transportation, construction, communication support, training, management and administrative roles.

Nearly 70 percent of the contractors are American citizens, 20 percent are third-country nationals and the remaining are local Iraqis. The number of contractors the Pentagon can employ in Iraq is not capped, according to Col. Steve Warren, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve.

Many of the contractors in Iraq and neighboring countries are from well known warzone companies like KBR, DynCorp, and Fluor Corporation, the three firms hired by the Army’s Logistics Civil Augmentation Program, or LogCap. The Pentagon awards individual “task order” deals to these each time it needs to support troops overseas.

“It makes tailoring a unit much more responsive to the needs of the commander because you don’t have to try to rip people [with a trade specialty] from other installations,” Brennan said.

KBR, in a November presentation to investors, said its LogCap services work in Iraq “grew in the period with further growth possible.”

Besides the LogCap contractors, the Pentagon can award independent contracts, according to Andrew Hunter, a former Pentagon official who now director of the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in Washington. In some instances, the Pentagon hires contractors already working for the government in order to speed up the process.

Even though U.S. troops withdrew fully from Iraq in 2011, many contractors stayed behind working at the American embassy or in logistical roles maintaining Iraq’s military equipment.

Congress ordered the Pentagon to provide detailed information about battlefield contractors following an incident in which private military contractors working for Blackwater USA killed 17 Iraqi civilians in Nisour Square in Baghdad in September 2007.

Not all contractors in the warzone are base guards, laundry workers or chefs. The CIA and other intelligence agencies still use contractors like the former Blackwater or $2.2 billion firm DynCorp and other for paramilitary services. The number of those contractors, some who are closer to the battlefield than the military advisors, is classified and unknown to the public.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, has sent Congress regular updates about the number of contractors being employed in Iraq and Afghanistan since August 2008. In July 2008, just following the 2007 troop surge, there were 162,428 Pentagon-funded contractors in Iraq, according to the data.

Iraq Economic News for February 23rd, 2016

Abadi meet with al-Sadr in Kadhimiya
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Special - balances News

Met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, on Tuesday, the leader Moqtada al-Sadr in Kadhimiya area.

It is said that the leader of the Sadrist movement has launched his reformist, last week, in which he focused on a number of different points, notably the political and economic system reform, as well as activating the role of the public prosecutor and the Supreme Judicial.

A source told / balances News /, that "al-Abadi met the chest in the Kadhimiya district of the capital Baghdad," noting that "the meeting dealt Search detainees in the" Mahdi Army "in prison."

He added, "it was discussed on the integration of the reform project submitted by the Abadi project with al-Sadr, who declared him", adding that "the talks also dealt with the study of the possibility of transforming the popular crowd Authority to national security establishment."

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that "the meeting discussed detect mistakes and Sadrist ministers in the current government."

And called for political blocs, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi choosing new ministers technocrats who intends to form their government within 29 Quadrha.anthy

By: Rami Al-S
END
Jubouri confirms the importance of activating trade and economic cooperation with China
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BAGHDAD - morning 
 as he emphasized Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jubouri, the importance of activating trade and economic with the People's Republic of China cooperation, discussed with the parliamentary bloc's »Union of Forces» ongoing preparations for the Liberation of the city of Mosul from the influence of gangs «Daash» terrorist. 
He stressed Jubouri during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Baghdad and Wang Yong on the occasion of ending his tenure, the need to create all favorable conditions in order to promote common interests through exchange of experiences between the two countries. He also reviewed with him bilateral relations between Iraq and China, and ways of developing them in order to ensure the interests of the two friendly countries, and the need to exert all efforts in order to sustain mutual cooperation at all levels, and also discussed with him the political and security developments in the region and the world. 
The eighth-Jubouri, China in support of Iraq positions especially in the face of terrorism, and its support for humanitarian displaced and displaced people, who contributed to the strengthening of relations between the two friendly peoples larger. 
for his part, the Chinese ambassador, for support of the Parliament and the government of his country to the efforts of Iraq in all fields, especially the economic ones and humanitarian relief. 
during his meeting with the «Union of forces» Search Speaker legislative, prepare an integrated plan «to post Daash» The return of services to all areas affected by the military operations and re-displaced people to their areas as soon as possible », as well as the ongoing liberalization of the city of Mosul preparations Conception terrorists Aldoaash. And it took place during the meeting, to discuss legislation and important laws required by the current stage, especially with regard to political reforms and change Wazzara.ooodh statement, that «the meeting confirmed their support for all the reform process taking place in the country in order to serve Iraq's supreme interest and out of the country from crises circle especially with regard to fighting terrorism and eliminating and promotion of economic reality, and build a real state institutions based on the separation of powers and protection of human rights and establishing the principle of citizenship and participation in the rights and duties principle
END

Daash fully cleared its jails in the city of Mosul
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2/23/2016 0:00  Mosul Sunrise Maher was quick to organize «Daash» terrorist evacuate the prisons in which put thousands of innocent men, women and children under the age of 12 years, after what elements have the fear and panic and terror by the military Althacadat continuous security forces in the outskirts of Mosul, reprisals and processes that goes on elements from inside Mosul . sources said from inside the city of Mosul, said «Daash» began to evacuate all prisons to coincide with the imminent announcement of a planned military operation to liberate Mosul from the grip of «Daash» fearing an uprising of prisoners against Aldoaash. The «Daash» may move the beginning of the month of August of 2014, dozens prisoners of officers, journalists and government officials in the province of Nineveh, and other departments building others from Badush compound was imprisoned and detained in buses carrying plates (Syria - Raqqa) and the fate of these prisoners is unknown even today «. , said one of the citizens« anonymity »that in his area six secret prisons, the regulation of the night detained citizens Friendly and put them inside these prisons, which is about the basements of the old houses, adding that the «people of the area heard the screams of torture made ​​by prisoners but fear the punishment of terrorists, referring to the Aldoaash evacuate these prisons over the past 24 hours quickly and the dead of night. for his part, Captain Ramsey Sheikh from Nineveh police «morning»: The «Daash» «Altesfarat also emptied the prisons and the Directorate of Nineveh police and anti-terrorism used by the previous Daash tortured innocent of Mosul«. He adds Sheikh that «princes« Daash »decided to evacuate the prisons full and trial prisoners within three own courts« fear of starting the process of liberalization surprise by military forces «after tents elements Daash and their leaders fear, anxiety and tension after the arrival of dozens of battalions band 15 Brigade 71 in charge of editing the northern city of Mosul to Makhmour camp in preparation for battle after big victories in the city of Ramadi and defeat Aldoaash inside ». for his part, he revealed a military official from the city of Mosul, Colonel Zakaria Yahya al-Hilali,« morning »for the so-called  b« Sharia Court Daash »issued a quick verdicts after the arrival of prisoners and detainees to three Daash courts included the killing of 90 percent of the prisoners and carried out criminal verdicts in different parts of Mosul «were released Aldoaash 10 percent after their families pay large sums for their release after being convicted on charges of malicious and ready. Sources from within the forensic forensics in Mosul refused to disclose her name confirmed to the correspondent «morning» received 143 bodies of young people in the prime of life, including military and elements of the local police with civilians was committed by terrorists medicine staff forensic not announced and conceal them as belonging to detainees from Mosul ». END

Articles for Iraq for February 20th, 2016

Rafidain Bank issued the smart card to the staff of the Directorate of Financial Affairs in the Ministry of Education

Twilight News

Saturday 02-20-2016  |  8:15:45

     Twilight News / Rafidain Bank announced on Saturday issued a smart card to the staff of the Directorate General for Financial Affairs in the Ministry of Education to receive their monthly salaries instead of manual cash.

     A source at the bank for Twilight News, that the latter issued a rate of more than 1,600 smart card to the staff of the Directorate General for Financial Affairs in the Ministry of Education. He pointed out that the system (ironing Card) is the practice a global system in most developed countries of the world and facilitate the smooth flow of the distribution of salaries and contributes to overcoming obstacles and shorten the routine.

     He stressed that the country Maishdh of security challenges in the face of terrorism is obligatory for state institutions to follow these methods in dealing paydays and is a means to cut the road in front of the phishers who try to tamper with the destiny of the country

TEHRAN, BAGHDAD SET TO EXPAND JOINT INVESTMENT PROJECTS
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Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met here on Thursday stressing deepening bilateral cooperation in industrial, commercial, and joint investment projects.

During the meeting which focused on ways of increasing bilateral trade, the Iraqi premier thanked Iran over its support to develop his country's industrial infrastructure.

Nematzadeh expressed Iran's readiness to transfer its experience on industrial development and help the government of Iraq through joint investment projects.

The Iranian minister, who arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday to promote bilateral relations, met Chairman of Iraq's Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq Seyed Ammar Hakim earlier on Thursday. 

He also met governor of Iraq's National Bank, and his Iraqi counterpart on Thursday and visited industrial projects including a factory assembling Iranian automobiles.