Baghdad today – The Ministry of Planning approved the recommendation of the minutes of the Diwani Order Committee (31 of 2021) regarding studying the consequences of changing the currency exchange rate.
INA – BAGHDAD: The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mudhir Muhammad Salih, revealed the volume of Iraq’s remaining foreign debt, while stressing that it has decreased significantly.
“Iraq’s foreign debts have decreased significantly, and only less than $6 billion of the actual sovereign debt under the Paris Club Agreement (debts before 1990) remains,” said Salih in a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
“Payment methods include installment payment with interest until maturity at the end of 2028, accompanied by commercial debts that were scheduled after 80% were discounted in 2006 and the remaining amount is $2.7 billion,”
He explained that “the remaining amount has been scheduled and issued in a European bond to creditors since 2006 and was called (Iraq 2028), and it carries an annual interest of about 5.8 percent, as the bond will be ended,” “The European bond (Iraq 2028) is traded in the secondary capital markets where it is universally desirable in buying and selling as a result of its high guarantees,” he noted.
He pointed out that “the foreign debt does not exceed $13 billion, which increased during financing of the war against the terrorist gangs of Daesh after 2015, and there is a gradual payment mechanism for it, as allocations to extinguish it have been made within the annual general budget,” stressing “the allocation of more than 9 trillion dinars in 2021 budget to extinguish debt services, and this will be the case in 2022 budget,”
“Debts that have not been settled so far, date back to the era of the previous regime, and they must be settled under the Paris Club Agreement, as these debts belong to the four Gulf countries and 8 other foreign countries, as they are unclaimed pending due to their connection with the financing of the Iraq-Iran war in Iraq, back to 80s, amounting to about $41 billion,” Salih explained.
He went on saying that, “there are internal debts, estimated at about $50 billion, which are liabilities within the institutions of the government system, and all of them are between public finance, the central bank and government banks, that is, they are not obligations on individuals but rather within the government financial entity,” pointing to “preparing steps to end it without affecting the integrity of serving economic development or affecting the country’s financial sustainability,”
Baghdad / The Secretary-General of the National Producer Gathering, Jassem Al-Amiri, launched his electoral campaign for the early parliamentary elections scheduled for the tenth of next October, listing his step within the framework of “change” and a promise to reform the agricultural and industrial sectors and end the occupation of the Iraqi dinar.
Al-Amiri said in a statement, received by the National News Center, that “we have a few days to choose one of the two paths, the first is actual and practical reform, and the second is to keep the situation as it is now.”
He added that “the first path, despite its difficulty and rugged roads, is the approach adopted by the National Producer’s Association,” stressing “the determination of the National Producer Group” to achieve actual reform through the ballot boxes, and our plan in this is to develop the agricultural sector and for the Iraqi farmer to be the master of the land and its producer.
And he indicated that “the plan includes the development of the industrial and banking sectors, accompanied by a practical sovereignty of the national product,” pledging to “end the external occupation of the Iraqi dinar by certain and specific countries.”
Baghdad / Obelisk: The President of the Republic, Barham Salih, received the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, ministers of justice, heads of Arab judicial councils, representatives of organizations and legal figures participating in the work of the International Conference for the Recovery of Stolen Funds in Baghdad .
Saleh welcomed the guests in Baghdad and their attendance at the conference for the recovery of looted funds, where he indicated that Iraq is heading towards recovery and its presence is important in the region, and its absence for many years from playing its required role in the region due to wars and the conflicts of others is a cause of regret, and it reflected on the Arab countries and the region negatively, pointing out Until Iraq’s recovery and strength is recovery and strength for the entire region .
During the meeting, Saleh stressed the importance of the conference to recover looted funds, pointing out that the big problem facing Iraq and many of our countries is the problem of corruption that is eroding our systems, as it represents the political economy of violence and terrorism, noting that ISIS and other terrorist organizations have adopted a great deal. Corruption money to perpetuate itself .
He said that the Presidency of the Republic submitted a draft law on recovering the proceeds of corruption, which includes proactive and deterrent practical measures, and subsequent steps to recover corruption funds through working mechanisms based on concluding agreements with countries, enhancing cooperation with specialized international organizations and bodies, and benefiting from successful global experiences to curb this phenomenon .
He added that corruption is a phenomenon that transcends sects, nationalities and borders, and it is an interconnected and interdependent system, and a large part of the violence that afflicted Iraq is linked to financial corruption networks of smuggling and illegal trade, noting that combating extremism and terrorism and establishing the pillars of stability in the country can only be confronted with corruption as we have faced. to terrorism .
He stressed that the world is required to deal with the file of corruption and illegal wealth, just as the file of terrorism was dealt with militarily, explaining that one of the main reasons for what happened in Afghanistan is due to the corruption that afflicted the Afghan regime, which has lost legitimacy .
Saleh stressed the need for there to be consensus and Arab, regional and international work contexts in order to combat this dangerous scourge, expressing his hope that the results of the Baghdad Conference to recover the looted funds will turn into practical results and legal and actual procedures, pointing out that Iraq’s success in this endeavor will reflect positively on all region .
Baghdad – On Wednesday, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi announced that his government had succeeded in recovering part of Iraq’s looted funds from abroad.
Al-Kazemi said in a speech during the launch of the events of the international conference to recover the looted funds, followed by “Al-Iqtisad News”, that corruption and terrorism are two sides of the same coin, adding, “Corruption was present when society was plunged into sectarian fighting.”
He added, “The path to a rational state begins with frankness with our people about the diseases that led to the decline of a great country like Iraq.”
“We set from the beginning our main goal in fighting corruption,” he said.
He pointed out that “a special anti-corruption committee has been formed, which has done its duty with the Integrity Commission, the judicial authorities, and the Ministry of Justice and Financial Control.”
He noted that “the committee uncovered, within one year, corruption files that had not been revealed for 17 years, and recovered money looted from abroad.”
The Prime Minister indicated that “the committee was subjected to attacks and false accusations, the aim of which was to thwart it and thwart its work.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.
