Parliamentary Finance Committee calls for the formation of a revenue monitoring body.

Amid rumours circulating by malicious parties regarding the security of civil servant salaries, the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives, represented by its member, MP Moeen Al-Kadhimi, confirmed that salaries are fully secured and that the government is working intensively to boost non-oil revenues alongside oil revenues to ensure financial stability. He stressed the need to enact a law to establish an independent body responsible for monitoring financial revenues, with the aim of achieving transparency and protecting public funds.

In an interview with Al-Sabah, Al-Kadhimi said, “State employees’ salaries are secured until the end of the current year,” noting that “the government and relevant authorities are working to increase non-oil revenues alongside oil revenues to support the state treasury.” He denied rumors about salaries not being secured, stressing that they “will be paid on the specified dates.”

The Finance Committee member stressed the “need to enact a law to establish a specialized body to monitor oil and non-oil revenues,” explaining that “control of these revenues is currently distributed between the Ministry of Finance, within the Audit Bureau, and the Council of Ministers, which necessitates the existence of an independent body to directly monitor and control.”

He explained that “the Finance Committee presented the first amendment to the Law of the General Authority for Monitoring the Allocation of Federal Revenues No. (55) of 2017 to the House of Representatives,” stressing “the importance of this amendment in establishing a special authority whose mission is to control the state’s financial revenues and follow up on violations in government institutions, in a way that ensures the protection of public funds and the enhancement of revenues in an organized and transparent manner.”

On the other hand, member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, Ali Al-Bandawi, told Al-Sabah: “The Army Aviation College Law is one of the important laws that the Security and Defense Committee was keen to support, and it was presented to the House of Representatives for legislation during the current parliamentary session.” He pointed out that “the committee was able, during the past period, to legislate several laws that serve the security establishment, including the Intelligence Service Law and the National Security Law, in addition to the Popular Mobilization Law, which has made significant progress in the drafting stages.” Al-Bandawi stressed that “the Army Aviation College Law is a very important law and will provide real support to the security forces, including the Army Aviation and supporting forces, which reflects its essential nature in developing military capabilities.”

The House of Representatives has initially approved a draft law establishing the Army Aviation College, which aims to train male and female pilots, navigators, engineers, and technicians to bolster the armed forces’ capabilities in military aviation. The college seeks to develop specialized personnel capable of keeping pace with technological developments and reducing reliance on foreign missions.

The college’s objectives are to enhance the efficiency of the armed forces’ air force by providing specialized military and academic education and training in aviation sciences, including air command, navigation, maintenance, and technical engineering. It also works to provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge that qualifies them to handle the latest aviation equipment and technologies, thus enhancing air defense and deterrence capabilities at the national level.

Alsabaah.iq

The Iraqi government issues financial, agricultural, investment, infrastructure, and avia

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired the 37th regular session of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, during which the Council discussed the general situation in the country and issued a series of reform, administrative, financial, and service-related decisions.

According to a government statement, the Council agreed to oblige ministries, non-ministerial entities, and governorates not to dispose of tax collections, wages, and revenues for purposes other than those specified. The Council also rescinded all previous decisions that violated the resolution, and held officials accountable for any violations. The Federal Board of Supreme Audit and the Integrity Commission were tasked with monitoring implementation.

In support of the agricultural sector, the Council decided to postpone the payment of sprinkler irrigation system installments for farmers for one year, while granting an investment license for the project to construct a residential complex for the General Company for Communications and Power Equipment in Nineveh Governorate.

In the aviation sector, the Council approved the amendment and issuance of the necessary instructions, in accordance with the powers granted to the Civil Aviation Authority, in accordance with the requirements of the technical regulations and rules of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The Council also approved several service projects, as well as road, bridge, pumping and desalination projects, while increasing the reserve amount and the total cost of the projects, and amending some project names in accordance with the implementation developments, and exempting Basra Governorate from including water purification and desalination projects in six districts and sub-districts.

In the oil sector, the Council voted to amend the Ministerial Energy Council’s recommendation to allow contracting oil companies to implement work within their jurisdiction, provided that the contract does not exceed the estimated costs, for a period of one year starting from the date of the decision.

The Council also approved the allocation of a real estate building in Baghdad as the headquarters of the World Bank branch. It ratified the recommendations of the Baghdad 2025 Summit to support the institutional implementation of outcomes and enhance Iraq’s regional role. It also authorized the Minister of Finance to negotiate and sign a double taxation avoidance agreement between Iraq and the United Kingdom. It also referred the draft law on the statute of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s labor center to the House of Representatives.

Shafaq.com

Al-Sudani warns Iraqis against abstaining from participating in the upcoming elections.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani warned Iraqis on Tuesday of the repercussions of abstaining from participating in the parliamentary elections scheduled for next November.

In a speech delivered during the International Day of Democracy celebrations held in Baghdad, Al-Sudani said that elections are the primary mechanism for sustaining the democratic program through their implementation and the provision of all its requirements.

He stressed that the elections will be held on schedule, under the protection and auspices of the Iraqi state, adding, “We have provided full support to the Independent High Electoral Commission to conduct the sixth election in Iraq, and we will not allow anyone to disrupt this process.”

Al-Sudani also said, “We believe that a single vote is a trust, and the citizen stands behind it,” adding, “Abandoning this duty means the emergence of a bad alternative with its corrupt projects, in which personal interests take precedence over the interests of our people.”

Shafaq.com

Iraq is OPEC’s second-largest oil producer in a month.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) released oil production data for August 2025, showing that Iraq ranked second among the organization’s largest oil producers.

OPEC said that Saudi Arabia maintained its position as the largest oil producer among member states, with production reaching 9.709 million barrels per day.

Iraq ranked second, producing 4.015 million barrels per day, reflecting its continued prominent role within the organization in meeting global oil demand.

In third place, the UAE recorded production of 3.255 million barrels per day, followed by Iran with 3.218 million barrels per day, and then Kuwait with 2.492 million barrels per day.

Nigeria followed with 1.549 million barrels per day, followed by Libya with 1.299 million barrels per day, followed by Algeria with 940 thousand barrels per day, followed by Venezuela with 936 thousand barrels per day, followed by the Congo with 259 thousand barrels per day.

The report indicates that OPEC oil production has maintained relatively stable levels, with significant variations among member states due to differences in production capacities and production policies.

Oil remains a key factor in the global economy, directly impacting financial markets and energy prices. OPEC member states seek to balance production to maintain price stability in the international market.

Shafaq.com

“The world is in danger.” The International Energy Agency warns of a decline in oil and gas production.

The International Energy Agency warned on Tuesday that oil and gas production continues to decline at a rapid pace in exploited fields worldwide.

The agency revealed, in a report reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, an accelerating decline in oil and gas production from currently operating fields around the world, with investment limited to supporting current operations at best.

It also warned that the accelerating decline in production from existing oil and gas fields has significant repercussions for markets and global energy security.

The report continued: “Without continued investment in these fields, the world will lose an amount equivalent to the combined production of Brazil and Norway (5.5 million barrels per day) annually, representing an average decline of 8% annually over the next decade.”

As for natural gas, the report predicts that production will decline by an average of 9% annually without sufficient investment, or 270 billion cubic meters annually, an amount equivalent to Africa’s current total natural gas production.

He pointed out that this problem has worsened compared to the previous decade, as the expected decline in production without investments in 2010 was estimated at approximately 3.9 million barrels per day for oil and 180 billion cubic meters for gas.

The report attributed the accelerating decline in global production to increased reliance on unconventional resources such as shale oil and deep-sea projects, which have faster depletion rates than conventional fields.

He added that there is a worrying indicator that annual investments in the oil and gas sector since 2019 have been directed toward offsetting the decline in current production, rather than meeting the growth in global energy demand.

The agency concluded its statement by saying, “Global energy companies are making far greater efforts than before simply to maintain current production levels,” expecting that “investments in this sector will reach $570 billion this year.”

Shafaq.com

The Iraqi judiciary considers the budget delay a “violation of the constitution,” and Al-Sudani’s interrogation is approaching.

The Supreme Judicial Council sent an official letter to the House of Representatives regarding the government’s delay in sending the general budget schedules, considering that this delay constitutes a breach of the constitutional and legal obligations stipulated in Article 62/First of the Constitution.

The judiciary explained, according to a document obtained by Shafaq News Agency, that this failure gives the House of Representatives the authority to hold the government accountable in accordance with the oversight and constitutional powers granted to it. The court emphasized that failure to perform this duty constitutes legal grounds for questioning the Prime Minister, in accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned article.

The letter, dated September 19, 2025, and signed by Chief Public Prosecutor Judge Najm Abdullah Ahmed, indicated that the Public Prosecution submitted its report to the House of Representatives following an inquiry by MP Mustafa Khalil Al-Karawi, stressing that Parliament has the authority to question the government about the reasons for the delay in submitting the budget.

In the same context, MP Hadi Hassan Al-Salami submitted an official request to the House of Representatives Presidency to table the interpellation of the Prime Minister during the next parliamentary session, stating that the failure to submit the budget tables represents a clear breach of the government’s constitutional obligations.

Al-Salami explained, according to an official document that reached Shafaq News Agency, that the request is based on the provisions of Article (61/Seventh-C) of the Constitution, Articles (27, 29, 31) of the Council of Representatives Law, and Internal Regulations No. (13) of 2018, pointing out that the budget issue is one of the most important topics of the interpellation that the Parliament Presidency must set a date for a special session regarding it.

In this context, Al-Salami told Shafaq News Agency that the passage of ten months without submitting the schedules represents a “catastrophe,” impacting operational and investment expenses, in addition to the suspension of final accounts and the delay in disbursing bonuses, promotions, and appointments in ministries, departments, and state institutions.

He added that the Public Prosecution Office had sent an official letter confirming that the government’s delay in submitting the budget schedules constituted a “flaw and a lack of constitutional commitment.”

Al-Salami indicated that he had collected the signatures of members of Parliament to question the Prime Minister. The Interrogations Committee approved the inclusion of the interpellation on the parliament’s agenda, but the parliament’s leadership has so far refused to include the interpellation of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on the agenda.

Shafaq.com

Iraq signs seven investment contracts in partnership with the International Finance Corporation.

Shafaq News – The Iraqi government signed seven investment contracts today, Saturday, in partnership and financing with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

This came during an official ceremony in which the seven contracts were signed, as follows:

A $500 million contract was signed with Basra Gas Company to invest in associated gas and develop Umm Qasr Port facilities.

A $250 million financing and expansion agreement with Al-Muhaidib Group for the cement and lubricants production sector.

A $125 million financing contract for container handling equipment and a storage yard at Umm Qasr Port was signed with Al-Lorraine Investment Company.

The first phase of the Green Residential Real Estate Development Project in Sulaymaniyah was awarded to Hiwa Rauf Investment Company for $65 million.

A $10 million credit line financing agreement was signed with the Bank of Baghdad to finance international trade.

An investment partnership was concluded to establish sustainable agricultural and industrial projects with Sama Al Manar/Teriyaki Agro, valued at $120 million.

A partnership was signed with Captain Ship Holdings to establish a $250 million teaching hospital, and a partnership was signed with Al-Ula SME Finance Company for advisory services and investment attraction development.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani delivered a speech at the contract signing ceremony, in which he highlighted the importance of the partnership with the International Finance Corporation, given the distinguished capabilities of the private sector, which has demonstrated an effective presence in implementing reconstruction and development projects and has endured various forms of bureaucracy, corruption, and security challenges.

He explained that the government measures aimed at improving the business environment clearly led to attracting international companies to work and invest in Iraq, and the value of Arab and foreign investments reached (100) billion dollars in the volume of licenses and companies that have already begun implementing the investment.

Al-Sudani noted that attracting foreign capital has contributed to supporting the stability of the Iraqi economy and has encouraged other international financial institutions, including those from Germany, Italy, France, Britain, and China, to contribute to financing a significant number of development projects. He also noted that this has provided legal and administrative frameworks and removed red tape, creating more job opportunities.

Shafaq.com

Al-Sudani: Investments in Iraq reached $100 billion in two years.

Shafaq News – Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said on Saturday that the government he heads truly believes in restructuring the Iraqi economy, which has been damaged by the wars and conflicts the country has witnessed. He emphasized that the volume of foreign and local investments has reached $100 billion in the past two years.

In a speech during the celebration of the Partnership Day between the International Finance Corporation and the Iraqi government, Al-Sudani said, “Since the beginning of this government’s work, we have been keen to strengthen our projects by utilizing international consulting expertise in planning and consulting for various projects. This certainly does not negate our national competencies in planning, implementation, and consulting, as much as it requires support.”

He added, “Our government truly believes in restructuring the Iraqi economy. Iraq cannot continue to rely solely on revenues to support the annual budget. We live in a world of change across all sectors: economics, politics, security, and even citizen demands, which have become a determining factor in the stability of any regime or state. We cannot delay meeting citizens’ needs, especially after years of delays due to wars and conflicts.”

Al-Sudani continued, “Our partner in realizing this vision is the private sector. It is the supporting partner in realizing our vision of restructuring the economy and enhancing its capabilities. We proudly say that our country is distinguished by the presence of distinguished capabilities from the private sector, which has proven an effective presence in many projects, enduring various conditions represented by bureaucracy, corruption at times, and obstruction. He emphasized that the private sector was present even in the presence of terrorism.”

He pointed out that the government’s measures to support the private sector and improve the investment environment were clear and led to the attraction of many international and regional companies to work on various projects. He added that the volume of foreign, Arab and local investments, the licenses granted and the companies that have begun implementing these investment projects have reached $100 billion in the last two and a half years.

The Prime Minister concluded his remarks by saying that the private sector has jobs equivalent to two ministries, and as a result, we rely on the private sector to provide job opportunities in Iraq.

Shafaq.com

To boost its reserves, Iraq revives an oil well that has been absent for three decades.

Shafaq News – Sources in the North Oil Company, affiliated with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, revealed on Saturday that drilling operations had begun on the first oil and gas well in the Kifri A field, for the first time in more than three decades. This is a step that will boost the company’s crude oil and gas production capacity .

The sources told Shafaq News Agency, “The North Oil Company has started drilling the first new well in the Kifri A field after a hiatus of more than 30 years,” indicating that “the field is one of the company’s untapped assets and represents part of its discovered oil well stock .”

She added, “The company’s Projects Department has completed the first phase of opening the road leading to the field site, located on the Kirkuk-Baghdad-Diyala road, in preparation for securing the arrival of equipment. Housing sites will later be prepared for the technical and engineering crews that will oversee the installation of drilling rigs and commence implementation operations .”

The Kifri A field is classified as one of the “important oil fields in the region, and its operation is expected to contribute to raising the North Oil Company’s oil production rates in the coming years,” according to the sources .

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced in early June the signing of an exploration contract for the “Kafri A” exploration well, as part of a program to drill 15 exploration wells over several years, with the goal of maximizing Iraq’s oil and gas reserves .

According to the sources, the contract includes the Iraqi Drilling Company, the Oil Exploration Company, and the North Oil Company, and actual drilling operations for the well are expected to begin within about two months of the contract signing date .

She explained that “the goal of the (Kafri A) well is primarily exploratory, meaning to discover potential oil or gas at the site, and not simply to develop existing oil resources .”

The Kifri A field is expected to contribute to increasing Iraq’s oil and gas reserves, boosting production in the medium and long term if the presence of good hydrocarbon deposits is confirmed .

The signing of the contract comes within the framework of the Ministry of Oil’s strategy to maximize national production, utilize discovered but untapped resources, and enhance Iraq’s ability to meet the needs of the domestic and foreign markets for oil and gas .

In addition, oil expert Ali Abdullah said, “The commencement of drilling operations for the first oil and gas well in the Kifri A field will contribute to enhancing the production capacity of crude oil and gas in Iraq .”

Abdullah confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that “the field constitutes part of the discovered oil reserves and potential reserves in the region,” noting that “the goal of the exploratory wells is to discover potential oil or gas, and is part of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil’s plan to maximize oil and gas reserves in Iraq .”

The oil expert pointed out that “Kafri A field is considered one of the important fields, and its operation is expected to contribute to raising the North Oil Company’s oil production rates and enhancing oil and gas reserves in the medium and long term, if drilling operations result in good hydrocarbon reservoirs .”

This step represents part of Iraq’s efforts to maximize its oil and gas production, while leveraging the province’s existing infrastructure and supporting sustainable local energy development,” according to the oil expert .

Shafaq.com

Al-Abadi to Shafaq News: We did not boycott the elections and we support Al-Sudani’s second term.

Shafaq News – Victory Coalition leader Haider al-Abadi confirmed on Saturday that his coalition was not boycotting the elections, nor would it field any candidates. He also revealed his support for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to win a second term.

Al-Abadi told Shafaq News Agency, “The Victory Coalition did not boycott the elections, nor did it field candidates in the coalition’s name in the legislative elections. Some members of the Victory Coalition participated in the elections as part of the State Forces Alliance, and we will support them with votes.”

He added, “The legislative elections will be held on the scheduled date, and we are close to implementing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s directives and supporting him in securing a second term.”

He continued, “Al-Sudani is the first prime minister from within Iraq, not from abroad, and that he gradually rose to this position, from mayor to governor, then minister before becoming a member of parliament, and finally becoming prime minister.”

The Victory Coalition announced at the end of June that it would not participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, and would instead support the National State Forces Alliance. The coalition also considered the elections to be based on “political money and lacking in strictness in enforcing legal controls to prevent manipulation and vote-buying.”

Shafaq.com