The Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Industry and Trade expected the vote on the economic reform law to be held in the coming few days, as the committee’s deputy chairman, Yasser Al-Husseini, stated that “the law reached the House of Representatives in general and the Economy Committee in particular months ago, and it includes all laws that include the economic aspect,” according to the official Al-Sabah newspaper.

He added, “The committee held many workshops at all levels, whether for businessmen or industrial and economic experts,” stressing that “the committee is proceeding with reading this law and working to vote on it during the next stage in cooperation with other specialized committees.”

Al-Hussaini explained that “there are comments, whether from the representatives or from the experts, and they will be included in a paper prepared alongside the law,” noting that “the committee is determined to vote on it with the available capabilities because it sees it as important in this law, which can bring about major reform in the economic reality of the country.”

He also stressed the “importance of the Industrial Investment Law for the public and private sectors, to accurately diagnose this partnership,” indicating that “the contracts concluded in accordance with this law will be beneficial and profitable for both parties, unlike some contracts whose negatives outweigh their positives in the industrial sector, and which oblige the state to long-term, impossible conditions.”

He added that “the committee is proceeding with voting on the industrial investment law, which is no less important than other laws, despite some objections that have prevented voting on it so far,” stressing that “the final stage of voting has been reached after consensus was reached between the political blocs objecting to its wording.”

Starting From Rafidain Bank.. Al-Sudani Stresses The Importance Of The Banking Sector Reform Project

 Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stressed the importance of banking reform in enhancing citizen confidence and cooperation with local and foreign investors.

The Prime Minister’s media office stated in a statement received by “Al-Eqtisad News” that “Al-Sudani chaired a special meeting on efforts related to developing the work of the government banking sector, in the presence of representatives of Ernst & Young for auditing and financial consulting.”

During the meeting, “a package of recommendations was presented by the company to proceed with the reform of Rafidain Bank, which included the new legal status of Rafidain Bank, its capital, its work strategy, and the new consultant who will work with the bank to meet the global requirements for modern banking. These recommendations will be presented to the Ministerial Council for the Economy, which will then submit them to the Council of Ministers for approval.”

He explained that “the subject of restructuring Rafidain Bank is the first step in the government’s banking reforms, which have been given special attention to follow up on all reports related to it, submitted by the relevant authorities, especially by the committee concerned with the restructuring process.”

The Prime Minister stressed “the importance of the banking sector reform project, which began with Rafidain Bank, pointing out the work to provide a bank with specifications and standards through which problems can be overcome and confidence given to citizens, in addition to enhancing cooperation with local and foreign investors.”

Oil Prices Stabilize Amid Expectations Of Slowing Demand And Easing Supply Concerns

 Oil prices stabilized on Wednesday near their lowest levels in two weeks after falling by seven percent over the past three days, driven by expectations of a slowdown in global demand for crude.

Brent crude futures recorded a slight decrease of three cents to settle at $ 74.22 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell by 0.3%, falling 19 cents and settling at $ 70.39 a barrel.

Crude prices have witnessed a successive decline over the past two days, closing at their lowest levels since October 2, due to weak expectations for oil demand.

On the global demand front, OPEC and the International Energy Agency lowered their expectations for global oil demand growth in 2024, with experts attributing this reduction to weak demand from China, which is a major factor in these expectations.

Iraq Stock Exchange: Trading Exceeds 18 Billion Dinars In October Week

 The Iraq Stock Exchange announced today, Thursday, that shares worth more than 18 billion dinars were traded during five sessions this week, which is the third week of October.

According to market indicators, the number of shares traded during this week exceeded 19 billion shares, with a financial value exceeding 18 billion dinars.

The ISX60 market trading index closed at 970.86 points in the first session of the week, while it closed at the end of the week at 988.86 points, achieving an increase of 2.80% over its closing at the beginning of the week.

The ISX15 market trading index also closed at 1060.47 points in the first session of the week, to end the week at 1074.75 points, achieving an increase of 1.33% over its closing at the beginning of the week.

During the week, 4783 buy and sell contracts were executed on the shares of companies listed on the market, reflecting a noticeable activity in  trading.

Central Bank Sells Over $269 Million In Auction Today

 The Central Bank of Iraq announced today, Thursday, its sales of hard currency, which amounted to more than 269 million dollars in today’s transactions, according to the official price of 1310.

The bank’s data showed that the total internal cash withdrawals amounted to $8,850,000, while the total amounts of transfers abroad, including remittances and credits, amounted to $260,460,587, while the total sales amounted to $269,310,587.