Clare:  Putin announces the size of Russia’s investments in Iraq: $19 billion and 50 operating companies

10/10/2023

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed the volume of investments by Russian companies in Iraq, indicating that it amounts to 19 billion dinars, in addition to 50 companies operating in Iraq.

The Russian President’s statement came during discussions held Tuesday in Moscow with Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’a al-Sudani, who arrived in the Russian capital earlier today.

Putin indicated that Moscow and Baghdad are successfully coordinating work within the framework of “OPEC+” with the aim of achieving stability in global energy markets. He said: “We are coordinating work within “OPEC+” and we are doing so with great success with the aim of achieving stability of the situation in global markets, and I hope that we will continue. In working with this approach.

The Russian President added that the energy sector is a major area of cooperation between Russia and Iraq, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Regarding the size of Russian investments in Iraq, Putin said, “Our major companies operate in your country (Iraq) with great success. The total investments of our companies amounted to about 19 billion dollars. There are prospects for further development of cooperation.”

Moscow and Baghdad have strategic and historical relations, and approximately 50 Russian companies currently operate in Iraq, including Lukoil and Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of the Russian company Gazprom.

Russia is currently implementing a large project to rebuild and modernize a factory for the production of glass and ceramic products in the city of Ramadi in Anbar Governorate. A Russian industrial alliance has begun the practical implementation of this project for the benefit of the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.  LINK

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Clare:  Plasschaert: The Sudanese government has made important steps and Iraq is in a position to seize opportunities

10/10/2023

UN Representative Jeanine Plasschaert during her briefing at the Security Council on developments in Iraq:

The government of Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani made important steps and promising initiatives within a year of its formation

The Iraqi government has taken important steps in reforming the financial and banking sector

Iraq is in a position to seize opportunities

The Iraqi government has taken steps in the budget that allow for increased private sector investments

 Iraq has made efforts to secure its borders with Iran

We welcome the continued efforts to activate bilateral committees between Iraq and Turkey

 The Iraqi government has made clear beyond doubt its commitment to the principles of international law and its respect for bilateral agreements and United Nations resolutions

 Iraq is committed to its positive relations with its neighbors

The Iraqi government has made achieving water security its top priority  LINK

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Clare:  The Center for Banking Studies celebrates the participants in its training courses

October 10, 2023

Today, Monday, the Center for Banking Studies at the Central Bank of Iraq held a ceremony for participants in internationally accredited training courses.

The ceremony, which was attended by a number of officials from this bank, witnessed the distribution of approved certificates in the field of anti-money laundering and compliance to the participants in the training courses and those who passed the exam to obtain the (CGSS), (CAMS), (KYCS), and (CCM) certificates.

The Director General of the Center for Banking Studies at the Central Bank of Iraq, Dr. Bassem Abdul Hadi, indicated that obtaining this type of certificate for participants contributes to raising the ability of the banking sector in Iraq to confront the phenomenon of money laundering and terrorist financing and achieve international compliance requirements. Congratulations to the participants in these courses for the banking sector. The Iraqi.

It is noteworthy that the Center for Banking Studies of the Central Bank of Iraq provides dozens of training courses throughout the year in various banking fields, in addition to its cooperation with regional and international training centers.

 Central Bank of Iraq
Information Office
9 – October – 2023   LINK

Clare:  Similar to Iran, the Iraqi president hopes to sign a joint security agreement with Türkiye

10/10/2023

The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, expressed, on Tuesday, his hope that a joint security agreement would be concluded with Turkey similar to the agreement with Iran, which led to the disarmament of the Kurdish parties opposing the regime in Tehran and present on the territory of the Kurdistan Region.

The Iraqi presidency stated in a statement that Rashid received, at Baghdad Palace, the National Security Advisor, Mr. Qasim Al-Araji.

According to the statement, during the meeting, the latest political and security developments in Iraq and the region were discussed, as the President indicated the need to intensify efforts and enhance security in the border areas.

The statement added that Rashid appreciated the signing of the joint security agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran, stressing the importance of the agreement in enhancing security and stability.

During the same meeting, the President of the Republic expressed his hope to sign a joint security agreement with Turkey, and to limit the violations that negatively affect the nature of relations between the two countries.

For his part, Al-Araji provided the president with an extensive explanation of the current and future plans of the National Security Advisory, stressing that no effort would be spared to support the internal stability of Iraq and secure the interests and lives of citizens.   LINK