Parliamentary bloc: America prevents Iraq from joining the Chinese agreement

Information / Baghdad… The head of the Al-Sadiqoun parliamentary bloc, Habib Al-Halawi, confirmed today, Sunday, that America is pushing to prevent Iraq from joining the Belt and Road Initiative.

Al-Halawi said in an interview with the Maalouma Agency, “The United States of America is pushing to prevent and obstruct Iraq’s association with the Silk Road Economic Project, adding that Iraq’s association with the Chinese initiative represents a strategic opportunity to activate Iraq’s role within the Belt and Road Initiative.”

He pointed out that “America stands as an obstacle to the growth of the Iraqi economy and does not allow Chinese companies to invest in Iraq, stressing that there is a desire among the Iraqis to consolidate bilateral relations with China.”

Almaalomah.me

Sudanese issues 3 directives to internal oversight to combat corruption

Shafaq News / Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani issued three directives to advance internal oversight work in the anti-corruption file.

His media office said in a statement, received by Shafaq News Agency, “In continuation of the government’s approach in the field of combating and preventing corruption, due to the risks that corruption poses that negatively affect government institutions and public services provided to citizens, and in order to advance the work of internal control in government institutions and integrate their role.” With the role of the Federal Finance Supervision Bureau, the Federal Integrity Commission, and law enforcement agencies, the Prime Minister directed the following:

1- Strengthening internal control procedures and expanding the scope of their work by raising the administrative level of audit and internal control formations in all government institutions, and setting effective tasks for them to exercise all kinds of control over the disbursement of funds to achieve preventive control procedures, prevent the waste or loss of public funds, preserve them, and uncover corruption. Holding the corrupt accountable, taking legal measures against them, providing legal protection for workers in that field, and motivating them to continue exercising their role efficiently, effectively, and stably.

2- Disseminating the internal control manual prepared by the Federal Office of Financial Supervision to all government agencies; To provide supervisory controls for administrative units in a way that contributes to increasing their ability to achieve their goals and missions and prevent corruption.

3- Preparing a draft law for the Federal Internal Oversight Authority based on the provisions of Article (108) of the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq for the year 2005, to strengthen internal oversight in all government institutions and regulate previous preventive oversight procedures and subsequent follow-up and raise levels of responsibility, integrity and transparency; To protect public funds and all government institutions.

Shafaq.com

The Iraqi Central Bank confirms to Shafaq News the provision of five foreign currencies as an alternative to the dollar for merchants

Shafaq News / The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed that it has provided five alternative currencies to the dollar, for merchants to use in purchasing their goods from other countries using each country’s currency through the bank.

Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Ammar Hamad, told Shafaq News Agency, “The Central Bank provided other foreign currencies to Iraqi merchants, which are (the euro, the Chinese yuan, the Turkish lira, the Emirati dirham, and the Indian rupee).

He added, “These currencies have become available to merchants for the purpose of financing foreign trade. When a merchant imports goods from China, he can now pay the Iraqi dinar to the Iraqi bank, and through the bank, the amount will be paid to the Chinese company and factory in the Chinese currency.”

Last week, the Central Bank of Iraq’s total sales of hard currency in US dollars amounted to more than one billion dollars.

Shafaq News Agency correspondent stated that the Central Bank sold during the past week, and for a period of five days during which the auction was opened, one billion and 52 million and 796 thousand and 86 dollars, at a daily rate of 210 million and 559 million and 217 dollars, lower than what it recorded the previous week, when it amounted to one billion and 62. One million 587 thousand and 198 dollars.

Shafaq.com

The rate of inward investments into Iraq increased by 60% within 3 years

Information / Baghdad… Representative and member of the Parliamentary Services Committee, Baqir Al-Saadi, confirmed on Saturday that the rate of incoming investments into Iraq has increased by 60% over the past three years.

Al-Saadi told Al-Maalouma, “There are reasons that create successful investments, most notably security and political stability, and the provision of attractive opportunities for capital with flexibility in dealing with procedures,” pointing out that “Iraq represents an important opportunity for many Arab and foreign investors.”

He added, “The rate Incoming investments, Arab or foreign, have increased by 60% in the past three years, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, especially in the housing sector.

He stressed the government’s efforts to “create pioneering investment contracts with the start of laying the foundation stone for the construction of several new cities.”
He pointed out that “investments It leads to economic recovery and the provision of job opportunities, noting that “in the coming months, investments will be at higher levels with the start of implementation of the first phase of the strategic development path.”

Several governorates witnessed an influx of Arab and foreign investments in various sectors, most notably housing, medicine, and industry.

Almaalomah.me

Within a week, $896 million was transferred from the Iraqi Central Bank abroad

Shafaq News / The Central Bank of Iraq’s total sales of hard currency to the US dollar last week amounted to more than one billion dollars.

Shafaq News Agency correspondent stated that the Central Bank sold during the past week, and for a period of five days during which the auction was opened, one billion and 52 million and 796 thousand and 86 dollars, at a daily rate of 210 million and 559 million and 217 dollars, lower than what it recorded the previous week, when it amounted to one billion and 62. One million 587 thousand and 198 dollars.

The highest dollar sales were on Tuesday, amounting to 214 million 597 thousand and 79 dollars, while the lowest sales were on Monday, amounting to 206 million 555 thousand and 16 dollars.

The agency’s correspondent indicated that foreign remittance sales during the past week amounted to 896 million 586 thousand and 86 dollars, an increase of 83%, compared to cash sales that amounted to 156 million 210 thousand dollars.

He explained that the sales went in the form of cash and transfers abroad to finance foreign trade, while the selling price of the amounts of documentary credits and international settlements for electronic cards reached 1,305 dinars per dollar, while the selling price of the amounts of transfers abroad and the cash selling price reached 1,310 dinars per dollar.

Shafaq.com

Masrour Barzani discusses with a US Treasury official reforming the financial and banking system in Kurdistan

Shafaq News / The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, discussed on Friday, with the US Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, reform of the financial system and the banking sector.

A presidential statement received by Shafaq News Agency stated, “Barzani met with the Undersecretary of the US Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, and the two sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations and ways to support the reforms implemented by the Kurdistan Regional Government within the framework of the ninth ministerial formation.”

The statement added, “The two sides discussed reforming the financial system and the banking sector, in addition to discussing the (My Account) project and the digital transformation of public services.”

Shafaq.com

Iraq doubled its oil production to 4.7 million barrels during the past 10 years

Shafaq News / President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid said on Saturday that the Iraqi Ministry of Oil increased crude production to 4.7 million barrels during the past 10 years.

Rachid said in his speech during the seventh summit of heads of state and government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum – Algeria, “It has become clear that the world needs stability in the energy sector and confidence in this stability, just as it needs energy itself.”

He added, “Global efforts are still focused on achieving a balance between energy security and reducing emissions, and energy shortages are no less harmful than the effects of warming on human beings. There are nearly a billion people in the world who lack access to energy sources.”

Rashid also pointed out that “despite all the challenges, the Ministry of Oil in Iraq doubled its production to (4.7) million barrels during the past ten years, so that Iraq alone contributes to a fifth of the global increase in production achieved.”

He added, “We have launched projects complementary to the fifth round and the projects of the sixth round, most of which are promising gas fields,” confirming the Cabinet’s approval of the recommendations for establishing a liquefied gas platform in the Grand Al-Faw Port, which is the first of its kind in the country in order to enhance energy security and diversify its sources.

The President of the Republic continued, “We are also taking deliberate steps to exploit gas, and before the end of the year 2023 a gas project has been operated,” noting that “this year the Ministry is currently making great efforts to launch more than one gas project in multiple regions of Iraq.”

Shafaq.com

Iraq is looking forward to joining the World Trade Organization

Today, the Ministry of Commerce confirmed the government’s aspiration to join the World Trade Organization, especially after the Saudi representative in the organization, Saqr Al-Muqbel, was named to manage Iraq’s accession file, noting that his recent visit to Baghdad contributed to addressing a number of important files.

The ministry’s official spokesman, Muhammad Hanoun, told the official media, “Iraq joined as an observer in the World Trade Organization from 2004, and until 2023, this accession faced many problems and challenges, the most recent of which was the failure to pay the dues to join the observer organization, but after the announcement of the government program Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani began working again on the possibility of Iraq joining this organization, as two sessions took place and a dialogue was held with the organization by the Iraqi negotiating team headed by the Minister of Commerce, Atheer Al-Ghurairi, which included all the relevant Iraqi ministries and bodies.

Hanoun added, “The World Trade Organization assigned the Saudi representative to the organization, Saqr Al-Muqbel, to manage the file of Iraq’s accession, and he came to Baghdad on an important visit and met with the Iraqi negotiating team, and many issues were addressed, the most important of which were the files of goods and services, as well as the legislation that the Iraqi economic reform team in the Prime Minister’s Office would carry out.” By addressing it within the frameworks and legislation within which the World Trade Organization operates.”

He continued, “Joining will achieve many things for Iraq, most notably that it will support the file of Iraqi goods and facilitate their entry into global markets, and secondly, the harmonization of Iraqi laws and regulations with international laws and regulations,” pointing out that “Iraq has today become a major economic player on the world level and needs to harmonize Iraqi laws with international laws.” .

He stressed, “Minister of Trade Atheer Al-Ghurairi attended the third session of the World Trade Organization, which was held in the Emirate of Dubai in the UAE, and met with the Assistant Director-General of the organization. We believe that the meeting will achieve progress in achieving the government’s aspirations regarding accession in an accelerated manner,” appreciating “the Saudi efforts in overcoming many special obstacles.” Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

Almutalee.com

Iraq: The ruling coalition is disturbed by Barzani’s visit to Washington

The visit of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, Masrour Barzani , to the United States of America, which has been ongoing for 5 days, and which witnessed successive meetings with American officials, raises clear discomfort on the part of the ruling coalition in Baghdad, the “coordination framework”, especially since it came before the visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia. Sudanese to Washington, coinciding with the escalation of several controversial issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

Since last Sunday, Barzani arrived in Washington on an official visit, which the regional government said came at the request of Washington, as he held successive meetings with American officials.

Barzani’s meetings and the hospitality he received from the American side indicate the importance of the visit, especially as it comes at a sensitive time in relations between Baghdad and Washington, amid attempts to end the presence of the international coalition in Iraq, in response to pressure exerted by the Iraqi factions and forces allied with Tehran.

In this context, the official of the Information Department of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Jutiar Adel, confirmed in successive statements that Barzani is discussing important files with the American side, and that he is holding a number of meetings in Washington, where he discussed with American officials regarding relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and the necessity of supporting the federal system. And the rights of the region, as stated in the Iraqi Constitution.

He added: “Barzani met with a number of members of the US Congress, and thanked the United States for its support and assistance to the Kurdistan region. The focus was on the necessity of maintaining security and stability in the region, implementing the constitution, and ensuring the constitutional rights of the Kurdish people,” noting that “he was one of the most prominent Topics of the meeting: discussing the situation of Christians in the Nineveh Plain, and the violation of the rights of the Kurdistan sects by the Federal Court.

He stressed that “the two sides stressed the importance of protecting the rights of the components and developing a culture of peaceful coexistence among the various components in the Kurdistan region.”

Baghdad did not officially comment on Barzani’s visit, but officials in the Baghdad government confirmed that the government and the leaders of the ruling coalition, the Coordination Framework, were disturbed by the visit.

Barzani holds meetings in Washington: Controversial issues between Erbil and Baghdad
In this context, a prominent member of Parliament from the “coordination framework” told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, on condition of anonymity, today, Friday, that “political forces support summoning Barzani to Baghdad to discuss with him the reason for the visit and the files that were discussed in accordance with the federal authority granted to the government.” And the Iraqi Parliament.

He explains that “the program of the visit and the files that Barzani carried to Washington for discussion are not known to the Baghdad government, and that the government only learned of its events from the media,” noting that “the government and important political leaders are disturbed by the visit, and there is concern about the possibility of Barzani discussing sensitive files related to the main government, including The file for ending the role of the international coalition in Iraq, and files related to the relationship between Baghdad and Washington, as well as the decisions of the Iraqi Federal Court regarding the regional government.”

The source believes that “there are certain files that cannot be discussed with Washington except by the central government in Baghdad.”

The leaders of the “Coordination Framework” coalition did not hide their concern about the visit, but they dealt with it unofficially, through statements and blogs on “X”. In this context, the representative of the “State of Law” coalition led by Nouri al-Maliki, Alia Nassif, said, “Barzani’s visit to America is no different from any Hollywood movie in terms of scenario and direction…and why did the issue coincide with the ongoing dialogues between the Iraqi Prime Minister and And the American side regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq?!” She asked: “What is being planned behind the scenes?!”

For his part, the researcher in Iraqi political affairs, Mujahid Al-Taie, asked about Baghdad’s role, and said in his blog post: “The Foreign Minister, during his meeting with the Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, confirmed that the United States will continue to support flexible Kurdistan, as it is the cornerstone of American relations with Iraq in a way.” Shamil,” asking, “The Kurdistan region is the cornerstone… What about Baghdad?”

The visit comes days after the decisions of the Federal Court in Iraq, which undermined the region’s authority economically, financially, and politically, and the regional government did not comment on them, in addition to other files, including the file of Baghdad’s attempts to end the role of the international coalition in Iraq, which is what the Kurdistan Regional Government does not want.

Alaraby.co.uk

The White House issues a position on revenue sharing between Baghdad and Erbil

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed today, his country’s support for the security of the Iraqi Kurdistan region, and the sharing of revenues and budgets with Baghdad.

The White House said that Sullivan stressed, during his meeting with the Prime Minister of the Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, in Washington, the United States’ support for the efforts of the Kurdistan government and the Iraqi government to reach an agreement on revenue and budget sharing that enhances stability, good governance, and economic progress throughout Iraq and Kurdistan, according to media outlets. American flags.

Last month, the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court issued a decision requiring the Kurdistan Regional Council of Ministers to hand over all oil and non-oil revenues to the Baghdad government.

Alsumaria.tv