Prime Minister: We opened corruption files that have not been revealed for 17 years

Baghdad: Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi said, The Anti-Corruption Committee has disclosed files that have not been disclosed for 17 years, indicating that corruption and terrorism are two sides of the same coin. General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, with the participation of ministers, heads of judicial councils and anti-corruption bodies in Arab countries and international figures.

Al-Kazemi added in his speech during the conference: “I welcome you, brothers, to your important conference on recovering looted funds due to corruption, as honorable guests in the land of Mesopotamia in Baghdad, which has suffered what it has suffered because of corruption, smuggling and looting of Iraq’s bounties over the past decades,” noting that “corruption Money smuggling is a serious disease that affects any society and any country if the risks of this disease are not dealt with seriously and responsibly, by taking measures to combat corruption and eliminate waste, smuggling and disregard for the capabilities of peoples.

He continued, “We admit that this disease has plagued our country for decades, as billions of dollars were stolen and smuggled during the era of the previous dictatorial regime, and unfortunately after 2003, founding mistakes allowed corruption to worsen in a more dangerous way, and some took advantage of the security chaos and legal loopholes to steal the people’s money. and transferring it outside Iraq,” he said, noting that “corruption and the recovery of the Iraqi people’s money smuggled out of Iraq are a priority for the current government.”

He added, “Corruption and terrorism are two sides of the same coin, and corruption and dissipation of the state’s capabilities and capabilities are explicit terrorism, and corruption paved the way for ISIS gangs to desecrate the land of Iraq,” explaining that “corruption was present when an attempt was made to plunge society into a false sectarian conflict, the first and last goal of which is looting.” money, and corruption was present in the weakening of state institutions, and in choosing the wrong person in the right place in all institutions, just as corruption was the twin gangs of ISIS and its backers as they oppressed Iraqis.”

Alsabaah.iq

Al-Kazemi: We have prepared the voting requirements and secured the elections on an exceptional basis

Baghdad – Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi confirmed, on Thursday, that the government has prepared all the requirements for the voting process, and to secure the elections on an exceptional basis.

Al-Kazemi’s media office stated in a statement, of which “Nass” received a copy, (September 16, 2021), that “the Prime Minister, during the regular session of the Council of Ministers, said: There are only three weeks left for the elections, and we have prepared all the requirements for the voting process, and securing exceptional elections.

Al-Kazemi added, “We have taken important measures to support the commission in the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers last Saturday, and we have provided all the requirements for it in various logistical and security aspects.”

He pointed out that “the government has fulfilled its obligations to support the Electoral Commission, set a date for early elections, and create the necessary atmosphere for holding them.”

He continued, “Yesterday witnessed the launch of the National Document for Electoral Conduct, which is a document of conscience designed to control and organize the electoral process’s tracks.”

He pointed out that “we entrust the Iraqis to march to the polls with the hope of a better Iraqi tomorrow,” noting that “by choosing the right candidate for Iraqis, a life away from corruption and spoilers begins, as any project that is free of corruption guarantees the luxury of peoples.”

And Al-Kazemi said, “Yesterday, we attended the conference to recover the looted funds from Iraq abroad, and we saw Arab and international seriousness in working to help Iraq recover these funds.

He stressed that “there is no controversy or favoritism in the rights of Iraqis and the people’s money, and the corrupt must be sure that the law will pursue them,” noting that “a few days ago we visited the Islamic Republic of Iran, and held talks with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Ibrahim Raisi, and a number of leaders, and they were fruitful discussions.

The Prime Minister stressed that “Iraq has strong historical relations with Iran in all fields, and we agreed to expand trade and economic exchange between the two countries.”
Al-Kazemi concluded, “Finally, we look forward to these fateful early elections, which we hope will change the fate of the Iraqi state for the better.”

Nasnews.com

The Central Bank: Financing projects is linked to their developmental importance

Economy News – The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed, on Thursday, that the process of financing project loans is related to their importance in the development of the Iraqi economy, and that the bank conducts a periodic review of lending mechanisms according to the requirements of economic and financial conditions.

An authorized source in the bank said, in an interview reported by the official newspaper “Al-Sabah” and seen by “Al-Iqtisad News”, that “the competent committee is setting up a mechanism for granting loans, directing the lending policy to support small, medium and large projects in a manner that serves the objectives of economic development in Iraq, and approving development projects. Lifted by banks, which aims to (reduce the import of goods and products, provide a greater number of job opportunities for young people and establish a developed local industry).

He added, “Our policy supports and encourages the establishment of industrial and agricultural cities to diversify sources of income in the Iraqi economy, and works to simplify the procedures for approving the establishment of projects subject to the approval of the relevant government agencies.”

He added, “This committee is also working on reviewing lending mechanisms and guidance on modifying them according to the requirements of the economic and financial conditions that the Iraqi economy is going through, and the committee has the power to host representatives from the private sector to participate in its meetings and form technical teams to discuss the implementation of loans.”

Regarding the priorities of granting the loan for strategic projects and whether the loans are limited to projects with an investment dimension, the source explained that “the priorities of the loan for strategic projects are summarized in the extent of the project’s impact on the economic development process and reducing unemployment by attracting various segments of society in various sectors to ensure acceleration.

Sustainable development for the economy to recover and the sources of income to be diversified, and project financing is not limited to the investment dimension only, but the financing goes to granting housing loans for the purpose of facilitating the requests of citizens wishing to purchase housing units inside and outside investment housing complexes.

Economy-news.net

Al-Kazemi’s full speech at the conference to recover the looted funds

Baghdad today – Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi confirmed, today, Wednesday, that the Anti-Corruption Committee has disclosed files that have not been disclosed for 17 years.

Al-Kazemi said in his speech during the conference to recover stolen funds from corruption, which I followed (Baghdad Today): “Corruption and money smuggling is a serious disease that affects any society, and any country if the risks of this disease are not dealt with seriously and responsibly by taking measures to combat corruption and eliminate outlets.” Waste, smuggling and disregard for the capabilities of peoples.

He added, “We admit that this disease has plagued our country for decades. There are billions of dollars that were stolen and smuggled during the previous dictatorial regime. Unfortunately, after 2003, the situation was not better. On the contrary, the foundational mistakes allowed corruption to worsen in a more dangerous way, and some took advantage of the security chaos. And legal loopholes and partisan strife in stealing the people’s money and transferring it outside Iraq in a way that causes pain to the conscience of any Iraqi citizen.”

He pointed out, “The holding of the conference on the recovery of looted funds is to confirm that corruption and the recovery of the Iraqi people’s money smuggled out of Iraq is a priority for the Iraqi government, and it is a priority for our people who squandered many of their capabilities and money in absurd wars, internal and external conflicts, while the corrupt invested in the conditions of Iraq’s private sector in the project of looting and smuggling the country’s money.”

He stressed, “Corruption and terrorism are two sides of the same coin. Corruption and dissipation of the state’s capabilities and capabilities are explicit terrorism, and corruption paved the way for ISIS gangs to desecrate the holy land of Iraq and occupy dear Iraqi cities,” noting that “corruption was present when an attempt was made to plunge society into a sectarian conflict.” Fake, his first and last goal is to loot money.”

He continued, “Corruption was present in weakening the institutions of the Iraqi state to be plundered by the bad guys, as well as choosing the wrong person in the right place in all institutions, just as corruption was the twin of ISIS and its back as it smashed the Iraqis.”
Al-Kazemi noted, “When we talk about the weak infrastructure in Iraqi cities, we refer to corruption, money smuggling and waste of resources, as is the case when talking about the spread of slums, unemployment, and the decline of health and educational institutions after Iraq was occupying advanced positions in health and education.”

He explained, “The path to a rational state begins with frankness with the people about the diseases that led to the decline of a great, historical and fundamental country in the region and the world, such as Iraq,” stressing that “the government set from the beginning its primary goal in fighting corruption, and a special committee was formed to combat it and carried out its duty.” With the Integrity Commission, the judicial authorities, the Ministry of Justice, and Financial Supervision, it revealed, within one year, corruption files that had not been revealed for 17 years, and recovered money looted from abroad.

He pointed out, “The committee was subjected to attacks and false accusations, the aim of which was to thwart it and thwart its work,” stressing by saying, “When you have a national duty, there is no place for frustration and retreat. Open legal cases against the parties involved, and speed up the process of returning funds to the Iraqis.

The Prime Minister called on “friendly and brotherly countries to help Iraq recover its money,” noting “providing the utmost levels of cooperation with all countries in this regard.”

He added, “There should be no safe haven for looted funds and thefts, and the corrupt and thieves should not feel that there is a shelter for the money stolen from any country, and the corrupt should be well aware that these funds will return to their owners no matter how long and how far away, and that they will face the law.” for the crimes they committed.

He concluded, “With our insistence on returning the smuggled money, and with your efforts, ideas and the brotherly responsibility that unites us, we will fight the scourge of corruption and money smuggling, and we will create a safe and fair environment for our peoples. stealing their money, and destroying their economies.”

This morning, Wednesday, the work of the international conference to recover looted funds from Iraq was launched in Baghdad, with wide international participation.
Our correspondent stated, “The conference was launched, under the auspices of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, with the participation of Arab League President Ahmed Aboul Gheit, ministers and heads of judicial councils and anti-corruption bodies in Arab countries.”

The Integrity Commission had announced that Baghdad will host an expanded international conference to recover the looted funds, on the fifteenth and sixteenth of this September.

Baghdadtoday.news

Iraq participates in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

On Thursday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein arrived in Riyadh to participate in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The media office of the Iraqi Foreign Minister stated in a statement that “at the invitation of the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; To participate in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

It is hoped that during the meeting, the ministers will discuss many issues that concern the region and the relations of the surrounding countries outside the council, in addition to discussing regional and international issues.

He pointed out that “the minister will shed light on the future dimensions of the Baghdad conference for cooperation and partnership, and the reflection of all of this on foreign relations and the political and security situation in Iraq, in addition to the early elections and their importance to Iraq and the region.”

According to the statement, “discussions between the minister and the Arab parties participating in the meeting will focus on economic and trade relations and the role of Gulf companies in investing in the various sectors in Iraq. The minister will also discuss the issue of linking with the Gulf electrical network and supplying Iraq through it with energy.”

He pointed out that the minister will meet with several ministers of the Gulf states in bilateral talks to discuss relations between Iraq and the countries concerned.

Alkhaleej.ae

The first comment on Baghdad’s hosting of an expanded international conference to recover the looted funds

Shafaq News / The former member of the Anti-Corruption Council in Iraq, the expert Saeed Yassin Musa, commented today, Tuesday, on Baghdad hosting an expanded international conference to recover the looted funds.

Moussa told Shafaq News Agency, “This conference is being held by the Arab League and the Iraqi Ministry of Justice for the period from 15-16 September, in the presence of the justice ministers of Arab countries, and Iraq is a party to the Arab Convention against Corruption and ratified it in 2013, and all Arab countries are parties to the Convention United Nations Anti-Corruption 2003”.

He added, “The importance of holding this conference comes to activate the mechanisms for recovering looted funds through international cooperation between Arab countries in accordance with the Arab Agreement and the exchange of legal assistance between Arab countries, leading to mechanisms for freezing, seizing and recovering looted funds and the accused.”

And Moussa indicated that “the implementation of this agreement is an opportunity for cooperation between the Arab parties to contain and prevent money laundering and smuggling between the Arab countries,” stressing that “Iraq needs international cooperation and for the first time it puts money recovery and corruption proceeds after 2003 on the decision and action table.”

He continued, “We hope that the Iraqi Ministry of Justice will conclude bilateral agreements to recover money and criminals, exchange information, experience, and legal and judicial assistance with Arab countries, and provide an opportunity for the Integrity Commission to pursue these looted and smuggled funds, expand cooperation in the field of money laundering and reduce transnational corruption crimes by limiting and prosecuting mafias and restricting them.” “.

And the former member of the Anti-Corruption Council in Iraq continued, “The task of promoting integrity and combating corruption in it is a multiplicity and integration of roles between public authorities, supervisory bodies and international cooperation with taking preventive measures that are enforceable and commitment, and then the prosecution process comes through legal assistance and cooperation with judicial authorities in Arab countries.”

Moussa concluded his speech by saying that “the conference to be held is a great opportunity for Iraq to pursue criminals and looted money and recover them.”
It is scheduled to start in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on the fifteenth and sixteenth of this month, the activities of the proceedings of the international conference to recover the looted funds.

The conference is held under the auspices of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, with the participation of Arab League President Ahmed Aboul Gheit, a number of justice ministers, heads of judicial councils and regulatory bodies, as well as a number of representatives of Arab associations and organizations, and legal, academic, and media figures.

Shafaq.com

IRAQ AND SAUDI ARABIA DISCUSS STEPS TO ACTIVATE TRADE EXCHANGE THROUGH “ARAR”

Baghdad / National News Center – Today, Iraq and Saudi Arabia agreed to take new steps to activate the process of trade exchange at the Arar border crossing between the two countries.

The Iraqi Border Ports Authority stated, in a statement received by the “National News Center”, that “the Committee on Transport and Border Ports headed by the Chairman of the Authority, Omar Al-Waeli and his accompanying delegation, held a meeting today at the Arar border port, in the presence of the Saudi ambassador in Iraq, with the Saudi side headed by the Governor.” To the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Chairman of the Transport Authority and the delegation accompanying them,” noting that “the meeting comes as a continuation of the Riyadh meeting.”

Al-Waeli confirmed, according to the statement, that “points have been established to resolve all obstacles facing the process of trade exchange at the port in order to increase them and facilitate the procedures for entering goods for both countries.”

He added, according to the statement, “It was agreed to open a special office to certify certificates of origin after the approval of the Ministry of Commerce and to give facilities and priority to Iraqi importers and exporters alike.”

The statement indicated, “visiting the trade exchange arena and urging workers to expedite the handling and exchange process and complete the required requirements.”
He explained that “the port administration has been assigned to develop tight plans with the security services and departments operating at the port to ensure the inspection of goods and prevent the passage of any materials outside the controls.”

According to the statement, the Saudi side called for “supporting the port, increasing trade and activating transit as soon as possible, and naming coordinators between the ports to complete the roads to be completed by them in a manner that ensures the smooth flow of entry and exit of trucks.”

Nnciraq.com

The President of the Egyptian Senate confirms to Al-Halbousi that Egyptian companies seek to invest in Iraq

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Muhammad al-Halbousi, accompanied by a parliamentary delegation, met today, Wednesday, the President of the Egyptian Senate, Abdel Wahab Abdel Razek.

In a statement to his office on the sidelines of the meeting, Al-Halbousi stressed that “the relationship between the two countries is progressing at an escalating pace, and that the House of Representatives is keen to increase the pace of cooperation between the two countries and seeks to remove all obstacles to the implementation of bilateral agreements,” noting “the importance of expanding cooperation between legislative institutions to empower my government.” The two countries will work to implement joint programs in all fields.

For his part, the President of the Egyptian Senate indicated that his country “supports cooperation and partnership between the two countries and everything that contributes to achieving political and economic stability for Iraq,” stressing that “Egyptian companies in the public and private sectors are urged to invest in a number of fields, including the field of renewable energy, the pharmaceutical industry and research centers.” “.

Dijlah.tv

The white paper seeks to fundamentally change the nature of the Iraqi economy

Finance Minister Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi confirmed that the white paper seeks to fundamentally change the nature of the Iraqi economy.

Allawi said in an article published by the Guardian newspaper, “Estimates indicate that poverty rates in Iraq doubled in 2020 due in large part to declining revenues Iraq We cannot allow the livelihoods of millions of families to continue to be dictated by the unpredictable fluctuations of the oil market.”

He explained that “correcting this will require policies and investments that enable oil and gas producing countries such as Iraq From directing capital and labor to productive industries in the future and contribute to empowering and stimulating the role of the private sector. In fact, this was one of the main motives behind the economic reform white paper, which seeks to fundamentally change the nature of the Iraqi economy, allow the private sector to play a greater role, and reduce the dependence of Iraq on oil exports and a commitment to economic renewal focused on environmentally sound policies and technologies.

Allawi continued that “Iraq It can play an important role by taking advantage of the huge potential to produce and provide clean energy, as oil and gas production accounts for up to 40% of the total greenhouse gas emissions and the continuous burning of natural gas in oil wells, which necessitates our commitment to reduce gas flaring and investing it,” stressing that “increasing energy efficiency will have other benefits as well, and this means that we will not need to spend huge amounts to increase the general level of electricity provision, and that the deficit Iraq Providing enough electricity to meet demand has cost the country nearly $120 billion over the past seven years.

He pointed out that “increasing energy efficiency will allow the creation of job opportunities in areas such as the construction and maintenance of energy-efficient green buildings, as a recently published International Energy Agency report showed that for every million dollars invested in energy efficiency, up to 30 jobs are created, and that this matter extremely important in a country like Iraq which is witnessing large population increases that will need job opportunities in the future.”

“The worst potential solar sites happen in Iraq On up to 60% of direct energy from the sun, and that this percentage is higher than the best locations in Germany But nevertheless, the solar power plants it built Germany To date, it provides two and a half times more electricity to all oil, gas and hydroelectric plants operating in Iraq combined.
” And he noted “and let him be able to Iraq To move towards clean energy, it needs the financial resources, expertise and policies that will transform its economy in an equitable and affordable manner, and this requires international support. Otherwise, heading towards net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 will be a distant dream.”

Alsumaria.tv

Reforming the private banking sector according to the central bank’s methodology stimulates the economy

Several months ago, the government issued the white paper, which is the roadmap for the desired macroeconomic reform for the coming years.

The white paper, on pages 56 and 57, identified the main objectives for reforming the banking sector in the medium and long term between 3-5 years, and it is in fact an accurate diagnosis of problems that have already been diagnosed. By the Central Bank and the World Bank, and it has already developed solutions and urgent and strategic mechanisms for it, as is clear in the Central Bank’s strategy (2016-2020) and strategic banking projects for the years (2019-2023). The paper focused on the basic objectives of
private banking reform , as follows:

First – Pave the way for private banks to take their role as levers of the economy and end the role of government banks as an arm of bank financing.

Second – Addressing defaults in banks and the forced merger of troubled banks and restoring confidence with the public.

Third – Providing the appropriate environment to encourage banks to lend to stimulate the economy. Practicing the real business and not relying entirely on the currency window, guarantee fees and other banking fees.

Fourth – Completion of the application of international accounting standards (IFRS) and the development of banking work using modern banking techniques.

Therefore, the reform goals were based on detailed diagnoses of the current problems and obstacles that banks suffer from, which stand in the way of achieving the goals of reform. Since the issuance of the white paper, the Central Bank has begun to take measures to reform the banking sector since November of last year, according to its plan based on its strategy for monetary policy applications for that. The Bank issued lending initiatives to stimulate the economic cycle and activate the financing of small, medium and housing projects and to move at a confident pace to move the banking business from the banking role to the developmental role.

The urgent procedures and solutions for banking reform can be identified
as I see them as follows:

First – making decisions on financial policy to restore balance between government banks and private banks in terms of capital, activity and tasks, and focus on starting the structuring of the Rafidain and Rasheed Banks, according to what was stated in agreement with the World Bank several years ago.

Second – Through an analytical view of the reality of the Iraqi economy and the challenges facing the fiscal and monetary policies, in particular stimulating and revitalizing the economy with bank financing requires clarity of financial policies and coordination with monetary policy in stimulating the economy.

Third – Taking immediate measures to redistribute the banking density of private banks in proportion to the actual need of the Iraqi economy and towards stopping the granting of new licenses to establish new banks, and starting to rehabilitate troubled banks and study the economic feasibility of continuing to work or merging them according to the merger guide issued by the Central Bank in 2019.

Fourth – that the nature of the activities of banks depends on the nature of the activities of other economic sectors, and as long as the economic activity is concentrated in trade (imports), the activity of banks remains focused on external transfer, and this means that the problem of the currency window is not in the supply of the dollar from the central bank, but rather the reason is the demand for the dollar. Therefore, unless other sectors (industry, agriculture, tourism and others) move, we cannot expect diversification of banking activity.

It is worth noting that without controlling imports, these sectors will not rise, because without support for the local product, the demand for the dollar cannot be reduced.

Fifth –  It is necessary to provide a legal environment and extend the authority of the law in order to eliminate the phenomenon of default in the repayment of loans, as the non-performing debts amounted to (5 trillion dinars), 70% of which are the debts of government banks and 30% of the debts of private banks, which constitute a large percentage of the total monetary credit granted.

Sixth – Activating the implementation of the decisions of the Council of Ministers and the Economic Affairs Committee in the Council of Ministers, which were previously issued to support the banking sector, in particular private banks, to open accounts for ministries and government departments, accept certified instruments, and open documentary credits to the government in the amount of 50 million dollars without going through the Ministry of Finance and the Iraqi Trade Bank and other decisions Concerning borrowing for investment projects, collecting taxes and customs fees, and settling salaries.

Because on the contrary, it will lead to obstructing the work and activities of private banks and greatly affect their liquidity, revenues and deposits, and delay the transition of banks from the role of banking to the developmental role as established in the white paper.

Seventh – Considering bad debts claims owed by customers in private banks are urgent cases and excellent debts, similar to government debts.

Eighth – Working to provide conditions and take measures to help private banks obtain the internationally approved credit rating, and thus strengthen international banking relations with correspondent banks.

Economy-news.net