The Iraqi government announces the establishment of a $150 billion development fund and sets a date for the end of the weapons collection campaign.
Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi announced on Wednesday that the cabinet has decided to establish a development fund project with international guarantees and contributions amounting to $150 billion to achieve economic stability through investment. He also revealed that the timeframe for implementing the plan to restrict weapons to the state ends by next September, coinciding with the withdrawal schedule of international coalition forces from the country.
Al-Aboudi said during a press conference attended by Shafaq News Agency in Baghdad that the government based its management of its files on a national vision supported by the mandate and confidence of the House of Representatives, stressing its determination to commit to restricting weapons completely to the hands of the state according to the timetables specified in the ministerial program, which ends next September, coinciding with the end of the tasks of the international coalition.
The government spokesman added that the Cabinet, under the direction of the Prime Minister, approved the formulation of a “program budget” in coordination and joint cooperation with the World Bank and the Parliamentary Finance Committee to advance economic reform in the country.
In response to a question from the agency’s correspondent, Al-Aboudi explained that the Development Fund represents an investment vehicle completely independent of the state’s general budget, and is based on international contributions from Iraq’s friends with guarantees ranging from $100 billion to $150 billion, with the aim of promoting sustainable stability.
Al-Aboudi indicated that the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to the United States will resolve many issues, mainly related to economic aspects, stressing that Iraq adopts balanced and parallel relations with all countries.
Regarding the relationship with the Kurdistan Region, Al-Aboudi stressed that the Prime Minister directed the oil companies operating in the region to work on increasing oil production, with the aim of reaching financial outcomes and radical solutions that are directly related to securing the salaries of the region’s employees and getting out of the current crises.
Shafaq.com