Meeting a number of Iraqi private sector representatives with the International Monetary Fund

BY NETWORK IRAQIS ECONOMISTS IEN EDITORS EDITORIAL BOARD- PUBLISHED IN 08/03/2017



Oman / Alantrcntantal Hotel (Sunday, 03.05.2017) met with a delegation representing some economic organizations and a number of businessmen as representatives of the Iraqi private sector with a delegation of the International Monetary Fund for the purpose of discussing a number of important issues, and perhaps the most important launch dues of contractors and suppliers late and peasants being reimbursed by the government Iraq and the ways to solve this problem and the approval of the international Monetary Fund for a loan to Iraq in order to pay outstanding dues the two sides have talked extensively the ideas and discussions surrounding all aspects of this important and vital and influential in the movement of the market and work in Iraq subject. Was attended by the International Monetary Fund by Mr. Christian coconut vice president of the Middle East Department , Central Asia, Mr. G.Maxime Noumo economic and Mr. Ritu Basu economist and Mr. Asim ascension Hussein , Deputy Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, Mr. Amjad Hijazi economic Mroue Alencah Representative resident and Mrs. Ellen Kirkspa economic expert

And on the Iraqi side , both by Mr. Majid Saadi head of the Iraqi Business Council in Jordan and Mr. Ibrahim Al - Baghdadi al - Masoudi head of the Iraqi Economic Council, Mr. Ali Fajrsnava president of the Federation of Iraqi contractors, Alsidsaad Mohsen Nagy , secretary general of the Iraqi Council of Business attended in Jordan and Mr. Mohammed Jawad Hadi al - Jubouri a member of the Federation of Iraqi contractors, and Mr. Maki Al - Fayez and Mr. Hussein teller a member of the board of Directors Business Council of Iraq in Alardn.uadd last of businessmen and businesswomen have Mr. Christian coconut deputy head of the international Monetary the Middle East and Asia Fund occur wondering about the possibilities that will increase state revenues and taxes direct and indirect taxes and taxes on non - oil products

He said formerly of customs duties between 5% -10% , and this method is not the correct way in which the revenues of customs rally, and it should change this way for up to 30%, the fastest gains and revenue comes from the organizing unit tax Almklvih This is achieved substantial revenue terms imposed on the slide big dealers . The second point hiring freeze to the presence of a civilian administration flaccid, because the high rate of staff in the civil service was a way to please others and employment without regard to efficiency, this system will lead to a deficit over the next 10 years, as there is still support for the share of the ration for all and must be limited to the poor . And that the electricity sold at less than cost, and must support petroleum products, which fell due to lower world oil prices reduced but when high oil prices will be reconsidered this support . As for the business environment in Iraq , it is more complicated for other countries and is slowing due to the lack of security and inadequate electricity and not to collect the dues and meet

There is a major problem in Iraq , a weak banking sector and to strengthen our business must Rafidain and Rasheed structuring and wide open space in front of the private banks must assess the weaknesses and put the right to combat laundering foundations points money and can resort to the Integrity Commission and to specialized organizations such as the IFC. There is an important element of the work by the government , a private Msaadhalqtaa. And pay late dues has been a report in Arabic and English on the IMF website

Entitled (What is the strategy to address the arrears to global oil and gas Basra, the Ministry of Commerce for procurement of wheat and the electricity sector, in addition to the dues in arrears Contractors) where you must Tdeghigahawaltokd of legitimacy Ola.oma that the government should do as there are 4 billion requires Sdadhahit will be paid 2 billion of the loan and the government pays billion order to ensure the receipt of each contractor 50% during the years 2017 through 2018 and the remaining .onched progress made by BSA in auditing transactions that have not been audited two months ago during a meeting in Baku

Listen now to the points that contribute to the upgrading of the economy and how you are going business compared to last year Did you see the sign for the economic recovery that we do not support the existence of two prices for the disbursement of the dollar and that taxes must be 30% have seen an exemption Jordan of this tax on imported materials as well as Iran and Turkey , how is to increase state revenues .

Then Mr. Majid Saadi spoke , saying that the State is the sponsor of the economy , and most traders dependent on the public sector and in the government was unable to pay dues has given it a negative message to the Iraqi and foreign construction companies and that there was no point of view logical requirement of paying dues at once if the fear of corruption , it gives impetus to complete the audit of transactions for the purpose of receiving benefits in addition to the presence of 10,000 contract entitlements between 2-4 billion How are repaid at once .

Mr. Ibrahim al-Baghdadi al-Masoudi then spoke, saying Distinguished ladies and gentlemen representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the beginning I must thank you for guiding us to the invitation to attend this important meeting, Mr. Christian coconut Prime esteemed Fund delegation, I have listened carefully and a large concentration to talking about the goals and visions of the fund and is based on scientific and professional large .. before asking a working paper which was attended specifically for this meeting, I would like to Jnabk Karim, from different point of view with Jnabk Quran in four misinformation touched her for the purpose to be your knowledge about Iraq's true, namely:

- First: that Iraq began levied customs tariff which has doubled its resources in some ports and points of customs to more than 30 times, for example, a yellowish center Alkmarki now levied Daily billion Iraqi dinars, while the total levied entire month to exceed the 700 million only,

The second paragraph (electricity) is also collecting electricity in Iraq has doubled to almost 20-fold in some cases. For example, the Babylon Hotel, a return to investors, members of us in the Council, one of the five hotels Starr in Baghdad, was to pay the electricity did not exceed the 20 million dinars, but now it has payment in one month last summer of 460 million dinars.

The third and Electricity Ministry has referred the collection of electricity international and Iraqi companies, under the investment contract, has started to show positive results clearly,

The fourth paragraph Vjnabk reported that the ration card are still available to the businessmen and the rich and the senior staff, assure Jnabk it blocked all the businessmen and industrialists men and even young in years traders, as well as government officials, who have his salary nominal more than 1.5 million dinars per month,

Now , allow me to start the paper, (( Iraq the only country in the world and throughout history, who fought during the 37 years only six wars long siege that lasted 13 years, Amaalaoly in 1980 when the first Gulf War with Iran , and that 8 - year war and the Second International War in 91 began to liberate Kuwait and the third hit the war brutally and abortion people uprising in 91 and then the siege , which began in 1990 after Iraq 's invasion of Kuwait and did not end until the year 2003 , and the fourth International war to eliminate the former regime in 2003 , and the fifth of Iraq 's war on terrorism baseband led by Zarqawi since 2005 and up to a year 2010 , and the sixth current war launched by Iraq against terrorism Aldaasha led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to liberate their land and holy places, which began in 2014 and up to now. every war which destroyed hundreds of educational and health institutions and water plants and sewage systems , bridges, schools and oil facilities and other was accompanied by the martyrdom and death of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis , which significantly affected the progress and development of Almwardalepeshrah development in Iraq, so we hope and expect from the world - friendly financial organizations discreet, particularly the international Monetary Fund and world Bank to put Iraq at the top of the list of countries that are providing care and financial and technical support to them, especially since Iraq fighting terrorism from the world, there are inevitably ratio is expected from the terrorists who are fighting in Iraq will go after their defeat of course to other perhaps than in Europe and America and the rest of the countries in the world, but the same this terrorist when killed or captured or injured seriously injured in front of our courage, the going rate of Bldn for the world to implement its objectives evil has become zero. This is paying the price of the blood of our children and the destruction of infrastructure for health, education and all other service centers, in addition Mabarv of Iraq 's money on this war and to house our people and provide relief to displaced people. Despite the financial crisis experienced by Iraq, my friends no matter what we talk about financial and administrative corruption that exists in my country , unfortunately, but we still have a number of ministries and institutions that have kept its name and integrity and professionalism for example, the Ministry of Planning and the Central Bank and the Financial Inspection Office and others, which is trusted by the Iraqi citizen, and the truth ladies and gentlemen , that the Iraqi government, suffers from many pressures. Perhaps the most important fight corrupt affected by the decisions of the government reform , bold , such as the collection of customs duties and raising Ajuralkahraba and referral levied for private sector companies, therefore , we have very much hope on hand and expect him to support Iraq financially and technically ,,, As for the delayed financial dues to the contractors, the government has promised to launch 40 % of them, but there is a condition of the IMF should be completed audit all transactions to be beyond all amounts launch, the payment of dues will lead to move the market wheel and handle cash squeeze in the markets, which affected the per capita income level and on small business and the sale of segregation and medium business. . also, there are many demonstrations many times in all Iraqi cities, including Baghdad, creating great pressure on the street and the government, and the payment of these dues gives the feeling of contractors others that there is hope to receive their dues , just like their colleagues, in this year or the year next .

Then Mr. Ali Snava spoke , saying that he bimonthly periodical meetings of the Fund equivalent to two years of problems for contractors . If you think that there are transactions where suspicion of corruption, Flaimkn fair to compare the number of transactions , because behind the corrupt people Tarian contracts on the profession and the contracts are fair to contractors who have a history and good reputation . Mr. Ali Snava has demanded the arrears of transactions , which have been audited by the Audit Court and sent to the Ministry of Planning, either for transactions that have shortcomings , he returned to the point of contract for the purpose of completion. He also noted that the Federation of Contractors includes 34,000 contractor in all parts of Iraq, also he noted that creating huge part suffering Contractors occur in the Tax Accountability stage because the amount of the tax deduction is reserved to the provinces and districts tax claim these amounts for the purpose of completing the tax settling accounts and ask for the party that will be launching bond is it the government or the international Monetary Fund .

Mr. Ibrahim al - Baghdadi , also praised the decision of the Prime Minister and the cell's own interest to stop the crisis from the government banks on loans granted to the contractors met and who have an entitlement to the state . He added that in Iraq there is a social fabric is different from other countries where there are tribal customs and traditions trace to claim rights and duties between people, within a specific piece of information and social norms .. and claim them to pay the debt owed to contractors. Where Adtrbed contractors to leave Iraq and sentenced to prison or others is his place of residence, in addition to the six contractors, unfortunately , they commit suicide .. Jaahm families and owners . With appreciation ..

Preparation Investment Development and Construction Center, Baghdad

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