Al-Zaydi: American concerns about dollars reaching the factions have affected cash supplies.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said on Friday evening that American concerns about dollars reaching the factions have affected the volume of cash supplies, while noting that the Iraqi government aims to obtain payments of up to $2.5 billion to address the exchange rate gap. ReadDaily News

Al-Zaydi added in an interview with Al-Iraqiya channel, which was monitored by Shafaq News Agency, that “the Iraqi government has increased the supply of cash dollars from 140 million to half a billion dollars per month, and is working to increase shipments of American cash dollars to more than one billion dollars per month.”

He stressed that “the government is working to bring the dollar exchange rate back to 155,000 dinars or less,” noting that “previous reductions in the dollar exchange rate did not benefit the citizen, and the differences went to speculators.”

The Prime Minister explained that “the high exchange rate supports the industrial and agricultural sectors and enhances the competitiveness of Iraqi products,” noting that “some neighboring countries are flooding the Iraqi market with their surplus production, which weakens the ability of local products to compete.”

In the oil file, he said that “there was one million barrels being sold to the Ministry of Oil at a price of 5,000 dinars per barrel, and this matter contributed to creating loopholes for corruption. The price of locally supplied oil was re-evaluated, which provides the treasury with about 20 trillion dinars annually.”

He added that “80 trillion dinars in revenues are expected within four years of changing the pricing of local oil,” noting that “the government has imprisoned those involved in corruption in the Ministry of Oil contracts and subjected the contracts to auditing.”

He explained that “oil exports fluctuate between halting and exporting due to regional conditions, and we are working on a pipeline network to export oil so that Iraq does not remain hostage to the Strait of Hormuz. We also seek to reactivate the Ceyhan route and diversify oil export outlets.”

The Prime Minister stressed that “the Hormuz crisis deprived Iraq of benefiting from the rise in oil prices.”

Regarding fees and taxes, Al-Zaydi pointed out that “the government waived revenues from fees and taxes to bring in basic goods at lower prices,” explaining that “the exemption decisions included fruits and vegetables, most food items, medicines, and solar energy equipment and systems.”

The Prime Minister concluded that “the government is thinking about the citizen’s interest and is seeking to alleviate the economic pressure on him.”

Regarding the relationship with Washington, Al-Zaydi confirmed that “American companies have begun working with Iraq and have started implementing projects within the areas of joint cooperation,” noting that “the United States was chosen as a strategic partner based on its technological and economic capabilities.”

He added that “the partnership with Washington and the development of the energy sector will make Iraq’s influence in the region and the world different from previous years,” stressing that “increasing oil production will enhance Iraq’s position as one of the influential countries in the global energy market.”

Al-Zaydi stressed the continuation of visits to other countries to strengthen political, economic and investment relations, explaining that “developing Iraq’s foreign relations is an essential part of the state-building project.”

On the other hand, Al-Zaydi said that “the four deputy prime ministers do not receive salaries and we have not appointed new employees for them,” adding: “I asked my deputies to be field-oriented and to visit the governorates, ministries and departments to find out the needs of the people.”

He revealed that “the government terminated the work of 72 advisors and created four positions for deputy prime ministers without additional costs,” noting that “the three new ministries did not add any job burdens to the budget.”

Regarding the challenges facing the government, Al-Zaydi revealed that he had been exposed to “threats and dangers during the past five months,” stressing, “I will not back down, we will not abandon our responsibilities, and we will continue to perform our duties until the last moment of the government’s term.”

Al-Zaydi also revealed that he had refused to take over the position twice before, adding: “I am confident that whoever comes after me will complete the project of building the state and the nation.”

He believes that “building national identity is the responsibility of the government, political forces, and community institutions,” stressing that “the government is working on a project to build a strong and stable Iraqi state.”

He added that “the government faces a great national responsibility concerning the fate of about 50 million people,” noting that “demonstrating is a constitutional right and we will listen to all the demands of the protesters.”

Shafaq.com

Al-Rafidain Bank sets installments for 5 and 10 million dinar loans and suspends “Super Key” due to high demand.

An informed source revealed on Saturday that the monthly installment for the 5 million dinar loan granted by Al-Rafidain Bank is 108,000 dinars, while the repayment period is up to 60 months.

The source explained to Shafaq News Agency that the monthly installment for the 10 million dinar loan is 216,000 dinars, with a repayment period of up to 60 months as well, indicating that the loans include employees and retirees, according to the approved regulations and instructions.

He pointed out that the “Super Key” electronic application stopped due to the large volume of applications it received for loans, which put pressure on the application, noting that the turnout reflects the size of the demand for these financial services.

An informed source reported yesterday, Friday, that Rafidain Bank has launched loans for employees and retirees in amounts of 5 million and 10 million dinars, with an annual interest rate of 6%, to be repaid over five years.

Shafaq.com

Washington warns of attacks in Iraq and Baghdad’s “inability” to protect Americans

The U.S. State Department warned on Saturday of possible attacks in Iraq, confirming that it would maintain its highest level of travel warning, advising citizens not to travel to Iraq for any reason due to what it described as Baghdad’s “inability” to guarantee the safety of Americans.

According to a statement from the US State Department, translated by Shafaq News Agency, the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of American citizens in the event of a sudden outbreak of violence or armed conflict.

The ministry explained that US government employees working in Iraq are required to live and work under strict security protocols due to serious threats, noting the possibility of further adjustments to employee conditions, depending on security developments.

She noted that US government employees need special approvals to travel to Iraq because of security risks.

The ministry warned of the increased risk of violence and kidnapping facing American citizens in Iraq, noting that anti-American armed groups pose a threat to Americans and international companies.

She added that terrorist groups, including Iranian-backed factions and ISIS, encourage attacks against American people and interests in Iraq, and have carried out attacks using improvised explosive devices, indirect fire, and drones in several areas, including major cities.

The US State Department recommended that its citizens prepare a plan to leave the country that does not rely on US government assistance, develop a personal security plan in coordination with their employer or host, and review security reports on Iraq and travel guidelines for high-risk and terrorist areas.

Shafaq.com

Source: Lack of financial liquidity is behind the delay in paying Iraqi employees’ salaries for October.

An informed source attributed the delay by the Federal Ministry of Finance in disbursing state employees’ salaries for this month to the lack of necessary financial liquidity.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that funding for ministries and state institutions for the current month of October has not yet been provided due to the lack of necessary financial liquidity, which has led to a delay in the payment of salaries.

He explained that the disbursement of salaries is still pending the completion of funding procedures and notification of their release from the relevant authorities, noting that the disbursement date is linked to the completion of the necessary financial procedures.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zaydi directs the regularization of all contracts and temporary workers on permanent staff and the creation of 120,000 new job positions.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed that all contractors and daily wage workers be made permanent employees, and that 120,000 new job positions be created on a contractual basis.

The Prime Minister’s office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Al-Zaidi chaired a meeting today to discuss the details of the federal budget for the year 2027, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Tamim and Finance Minister Falih Sari.

The statement added that Al-Zaydi directed during the meeting to make all contractors and workers permanent employees, in addition to creating (120) thousand new job positions on a contractual basis within the 2027 budget, which includes all segments, and are divided fairly among the governorates according to population ratios, with the opening of a special platform for appointment to ensure fairness among applicants.

According to the statement, Al-Zaydi indicated that the government will work to secure the necessary allocations to implement the decision, ensuring the continuation of the regularization procedures and the creation of new job grades in accordance with the approved regulations and contexts.

He explained that this comes within the framework of the government’s keenness to provide job opportunities for young people and enhance job and living stability, despite all the challenges and financial pressures facing the country.

Last month, Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh Sari announced that a provision to permanently employ contract workers would be included in the draft federal budget for 2027.

Shafaq.com

Oil revenues exceed $37 billion

Oil revenues exceed $37 billionThe Eco Iraq Observatory announced that the value of Iraqi crude oil exports reached approximately $37.39 billion, compared to the export of 533.46 million barrels, including 25 million barrels from the Kurdistan Region.

The observatory said in a press release that an official document issued by SOMO and addressed to parliament included data on oil exports and their financial amounts from January to September 2026.

He explained that “this document showed that the total exported quantities amounted to 533,459,327 barrels, with an estimated value of $37,388,384,828.

The observatory added that the amounts deposited in the account of the Central Bank of Iraq amounted to $33,511,194,387 for the same period.

He pointed out that “the quantities of oil pumped through the Turkish port of Ceyhan during the same period:

– North Oil: 50,757,644 barrels, with a daily average of about 188,000 barrels.

– Kurdistan Region oil: 25,095,454 barrels, with a daily average of about 93,000 barrels.

The observatory stressed “the importance of enhancing transparency in publishing data on oil exports and revenues, in order to ensure that the exported quantities match the financial revenues.”

Burathanews.com

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi in a special interview on Al-Iraqiya News

The program (Special Meeting) will host Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, in a dialogue that addresses the most prominent issues of the next stage, and to talk about restricting weapons to the state, the exchange rate and its repercussions on the market, the livelihood of citizens, the housing file, and the course of government reforms. The meeting will be tonight at nine o’clock on the Iraqi News Channel and will highlight the government’s priorities and the challenges of the stage, and its vision for addressing sovereign, economic and service files.

Burathanews.com

What will the budget look like if the price of a barrel of oil is calculated at more than $60?

Economic expert Dr. Safwan Qusay explained what could be achieved in the budget if the price of a barrel of oil were calculated at more than $60.

Qusay told Al-Maalouma, “The minimum price of a barrel of oil in the budget should not fall below $60. With exports exceeding 3 million barrels per day, this would be sufficient to cover public spending on items governed by permanent laws, such as salaries, welfare, pensions, and the food basket.”

He added, “The aforementioned price per barrel and export volume provide the necessary funds to finance the remaining operational expenses, amounting to approximately $5 billion in next year’s budget. There is also the possibility of financing the investment budget with the remaining amount.”

He clarified that “if oil prices rise to the $60 per barrel mark for Iraqi oil, the Central Bank’s reserves can be replenished to their previous levels, and domestic debts can be paid with this surplus. However, if prices and quantities fall below $60 per barrel, Iraq will continue to rely on domestic borrowing and in-kind spending to compensate for the liquidity shortage or to cover expenses governed by laws.”

Almaalomah.me

Rafidain Bank launches loans for employees and retirees up to 10 million dinars

An informed source revealed on Friday that Rafidain Bank has launched loans for employees and retirees in amounts of 5 million and 10 million dinars, with an annual interest rate of 6%, to be repaid over five years.

The source explained in an interview with Shafaq News Agency that applications for loans are available electronically through the “Super Key” application, as part of the move towards enhancing digital banking services and simplifying procedures for employees and retirees, enabling them to submit their applications without needing to visit bank branches.

He pointed out that this step comes within the efforts of Al-Rafidain Bank to develop its banking services and expand the scope of electronic services provided to citizens, which contributes to facilitating access to financial services and reducing bureaucratic procedures.

Shafaq.com

40 billion dinars will restore the Kirkuk railway line to the Iraqi railway network.

Ali Hamadi, the advisor to the governor of Kirkuk for investment and reconstruction affairs, revealed on Friday that the railway line linking the governorate with Salah al-Din needs about 40 billion Iraqi dinars to rehabilitate it so that it can be used to transport goods and oil derivatives. Dinarinvestment guides

Hamadi told Shafaq News Agency that “Kirkuk is one of the important oil-producing governorates on the production and export map, and that restoring the railway line between it and Salah al-Din will reconnect the governorate to the railway network throughout Iraq, which will contribute to reviving rail transport and enhancing its economic role.”

He added that “the Kirkuk Governorate administration has officially requested on several occasions that the project be referred and its implementation begin, and the Ministry of Construction and Housing has included the project in its plans and cost estimates, as it needs about 40 billion dinars to rehabilitate it, especially the Al-Fatha Bridge, which was damaged during the previous years of war.”

He explained that “the governorate administration has asked the coordination committee between the governorates and relevant authorities to include the project in the projects schedule, given its strategic importance in linking Kirkuk to the Iraqi governorates, reaching Basra via the railway network.”

Hamadi pointed out that “the rehabilitation of the line will allow it to be used for transporting goods, as well as the possibility of using it to transport oil and petroleum products, which would support economic activity and reduce pressure on land routes.”

For his part, Hussein Jalil, a former employee of the Kirkuk railway line, told Shafaq News Agency that the Kirkuk railway line represents an important part of the railway transport network map in Iraq, due to its economic and strategic importance in linking the governorate to the southern ports and the rest of the governorates. However, its suspension for many years and the absence of serious steps to restart it have deprived Kirkuk of benefiting from its great potential.

Jalil added that “there is a clear neglect in restoring life to this vital artery, despite the economic and service benefits it could bring to the province and Iraq in general, especially since Kirkuk is one of the important areas in oil production, and needs advanced and low-cost means of transport to and from it.”

He explained that the rehabilitation of the line will contribute to the development of commercial transport, especially the transport of goods and commodities coming from the ports of Basra to Kirkuk and the northern governorates, as well as the possibility of using it to transport crude oil, oil derivatives, raw materials and various commercial and industrial needs.

He pointed out that reactivating the line will alleviate pressure on land routes, reduce transportation costs and fuel consumption, and could open up new economic opportunities and provide a better environment for trade between governorates. He called on the relevant government agencies to expedite the inclusion of the project among reconstruction priorities and allocate the necessary funds for its implementation, in order to ensure the restoration of its role in supporting the national economy.

The Kirkuk-Salah al-Din line is one of the important routes that could enhance the province’s connection to the Iraqi railway network, but parts of it were damaged during the years of war, including the Fatha Bridge, which led to the cessation of traffic on it.

Before 2003, the railway line linking Kirkuk to Salah al-Din extended along the transport and trade routes towards Syria and Turkey, and contributed to the transport of goods and passengers, before traffic on it stopped as a result of disputes and political circumstances that prevented its continued operation, according to information circulating about the history of the line.

The history of railways in Kirkuk is linked to the 1940s, when rail transport was one of the important routes for the movement of goods and passengers. The governorate administration is currently seeking to include the rehabilitation project within the reconstruction plans and the development of transport infrastructure, which will allow it to regain its role in the future in the movement of trade and the transport of oil products between the Iraqi governorates.

Shafaq.com