TNT:
Tishwash: Iraq moves internationally from the “gray” to the “white” area
Economic experts expressed their support and optimism for the procedures of the competent authorities in the areas of combating money laundering and preventing the financing of terrorism, describing these measures as “good” and in line with international conditions, considering that on the basis of that, the name of Iraq was removed from the “most dangerous countries” area and moved from the gray area to white.
The Advisor to the Prime Minister for Financial Affairs, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, said in an interview with “Al-Sabah”: “Iraq has come a long way in combating the financing of terrorism and money laundering,” noting that “in the past year, the European Union raised the name of Iraq from the most dangerous countries and moved it from the list.” gray to whitelist.
He added, “The procedures practiced by Iraq in combating money laundering are good, although the conditions of trade in Iraq in the last 20 years took place through irregular financing in most of its paragraphs, and this raised the ire of international prospects, especially the prospects for compliance with the conditions of global institutions.”
And he indicated that “most of the foreign transfers made by Iraqi banks are supposed to be transparent, and on this basis (the central bank platform) was formed, which rejected thousands of money transfers because they do not use the correct mechanisms.”
Salih pointed out, “The central bank has an important lever that it launched to facilitate freedom of external transfer through the international banking system and financial institutions that are subject to compliance, and there is cooperation between Iraq and those agencies, especially the Financial Action Organization, so Iraq is complying with these rules and needs some time to change some things.” He explained that “international Iraqi cooperation continues and will reflect positively on the price of the Iraqi dinar.”
For his part, the economist, Dr. Qusai Safwan, stated that “the process of combating money laundering falls within the responsibility of the Central Bank of Iraq in detecting the army of money that enters the country’s banking system.”
He added, in an interview with “Al-Sabah”, that there are a set of conditions, and the owner of the Iraqi dinar is supposed to be asked (from where did you get this dinar?) for the purpose of entering the Iraqi electronic platform, “explaining that” the banking procedures were accompanied by many violations due to the system of dividing the coefficient into More than one customer and the process of moving accounts between customers, as well as the difficulty of knowing whether commercial companies are real or fake?”, Noting that “the problem is: Where does the Iraqi dinar come from?”.
Safwan pointed out that “those who trade in money laundering today have turned to the real estate market, gold, and the cash dollar that is outside the banking system, and certainly the Council of Ministers is required to open an office inside the real estate market, and open the files of foreign real estate transfers that took place in recent years to find out (where it came from). Iraqi dinar) through which many properties were purchased in neighboring countries and countries of the world with Iraqi money.
He pointed out that “the sooner the terms of the US Treasury are complied with in a quick manner and we encourage Iraqi banks to obtain documentary credits, we reconsider the issue of customs and taxes imposed on merchants for the purpose of import – especially in previous years because they are afraid to enter the auction for selling the currency for fear that they will incur previous debts and a discount.” Taxes and customs – all of this will contribute to lowering the price of the dollar.” link
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Tishwash: Within 30 minutes.. the Iraqi parliament discusses 9 laws
In a “historic” precedent, the Iraqi Parliament finished discussing nine laws within only 30 minutes of its session, which was held today, Thursday.
Today, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, inaugurated the work of Session No. (5) of the fifth electoral cycle, the second legislative year, the first legislative term.
The House of Representatives finished the first reading of the first amendment bill to the draft law supporting small income-generating projects, and it also completed the first reading of the draft law ratifying the investment promotion and protection agreement between the government of the Republic of Iraq and the government of the United Arab Emirates.
The House of Representatives also completed the first reading of the draft law ratifying the agreement on avoiding double taxation and exchanging information with regard to taxes on income and capital between the government of the Republic of Iraq and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the protocol attached thereto. The Seas in Case of Accidents Causing Oil Pollution of 1969 and the Protocol Concerning Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Pollution with Substances Other than Oil of 1973.
The House of Representatives also completed the first reading of the draft law ratifying the agreement to avoid double taxation and prevent evasion from paying taxes imposed on income and capital between the government of the Republic of Iraq and the government of the Republic of Turkey. To combat organized crime across national borders.
The House of Representatives also completed the first reading of the draft law on the accession of the Republic of Iraq to the agreement establishing the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the year 1990, as well as the first reading of the draft law ratifying the cooperation agreement between the government of the Republic of Iraq and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of maritime transport.
According to the media department of the Council, it also finished the first reading of the draft law ratifying the agreement to avoid double taxation in the matter of taxes on income on capital and to prevent tax evasion and evasion between the government of the Republic of Iraq and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to adjourn its session, which lasted only 30 minutes. link
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Tishwash: The 100-day achievements of the Sudanese government… Security, health, anti-corruption and foreign relations
(Baghdad Today) publishes a detailed report on the files completed by the government of Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani during the 100-day period since its formation.
The government has taken many decisions and steps in several files such as security, foreign relations, combating corruption, poverty, health and electricity, and (Baghdad Today) has obtained official and detailed information about them.
In the security and military file, the government issued 36 decisions targeting oil smuggling networks and drug dealers, withdrawing the army from cities, and deploying federal forces on the borders with Iran and Turkey.
In foreign relations, Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani participated in the Arab-Chinese summit hosted by Saudi Arabia and the strengthening of partnership within the (Belt and Road) initiative, in addition to participating in the (Second Baghdad Summit) for cooperation and partnership hosted by Jordan, and the tripartite (Dead Sea Summit). between Iraq and Jordan.
The government formed the Supreme Anti-Corruption Commission to open corruption files “without any red lines”, and directed the improvement of the ration card items, in addition to the implementation of the health insurance law, in addition to signing an agreement with the German company “Siemens” to develop the Iraqi electricity system.
The following is a detailed report obtained by (Baghdad Today):
(security and military file)
– The issuance of (36) decisions and directives for the security and military sectors, distributed between tracking down and dismantling oil smuggling networks in the governorates of Diyala, Kirkuk, and Basra, arresting (49) accused of smuggling operations, reviewing armament contracts, pursuing drug dealers, withdrawing the army from inside cities, canceling security checks for the citizens of the liberated areas, and redeploying forces Border guards to control the joint tape with neighboring countries, reconsider the numbers of officer protections, and agree with the Netherlands, Turkey, America, France and NATO to provide training and advice, enhance security capabilities, coordinate efforts and transfer expertise.
(Iraq’s foreign relations file)
– Consecutive visits to Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Germany and France to enhance cooperation with these countries.
The United Nations affirmed, through its Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, its keen interest in the priorities put forward by the government and its willingness to cooperate.
– Participation in the Arab-Chinese summit hosted by Saudi Arabia and strengthening partnership within the (Belt and Road) initiative.
– Participation in the (Second Baghdad Summit) for cooperation and partnership hosted by Jordan, and the tripartite (Dead Sea Summit) between Iraq, Jordan and Egypt.
– Receiving the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, in Baghdad and holding a round of talks for cooperation in agricultural, health, energy and infrastructure files.
The Turkish President’s affirmation to the Prime Minister, during a phone call, of securing Iraq’s water share and the participation of Turkish companies in construction and railway linkage projects.
– Receiving the White House Coordinator Brett McGurk in Baghdad and confirming the continuation of providing advice and training to the Iraqi forces.
– US President Joe Biden affirmed to the Prime Minister, in a phone call, his country’s support for a secure and stable Iraq, welcoming the visit of the Iraqi delegation, discussing economic opportunities, and maintaining communication in the coming months between the two countries.
(Anti-Corruption and Money Recovery File)
– Formation of the Supreme Commission for Combating Corruption to open corruption files without any red lines.
– Building effective tools to fight corruption within a period of (90) days starting from the date of formation of the government.
– Establishing a unified treasury account to control state funds and prevent their leakage.
– Follow-up on the issue of theft of tax deposits and the recovery of the stolen funds, including more than (325) billion dinars, in two parts.
– Issuing special instructions to facilitate the implementation of the Law of Revocation of Financial Privileges for State Officials.
– The confiscation of (1,782,000) liters of fuel, along with the confiscation of (66) tanks and the arrest of (121) suspects as part of the dismantling of oil smuggling networks.
(Social welfare and poverty alleviation file)
– Directing the Ministry of Commerce to take practical measures regarding the ration card and improve its quality in light of the high prices of foodstuffs in the global markets.
– Adding additional items to the food basket received by those covered by the Social Protection Law and the segment of the poor and those with limited income, which is a basket different from what the rest of the citizens receive, and it included an increase in sugar, cooking oil, tea, milk and zero flour.
Including nearly 5 million citizens in the food basket designated for those covered by the Social Protection Law, and starting processing after twenty days, as the measures aim to protect 10 million citizens classified below the poverty line.
(The medical section)
– Initiating the implementation of the health insurance law to improve the reality of health services, and the state’s sponsorship of treatment for the poor and medium groups.
– The opening of the dialysis center for patients with renal impairment in the Medical City with a capacity of (81) beds, and the opening of the Kawthar Center for Nuclear Medicine in Basra, which is the first center specialized in the production of radioactive isotopes for medical purposes.
– Re-opening Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital after completing the rehabilitation work in only 50 days, at a cost that did not exceed 3 billion dinars, and spreading its rehabilitation experience to 10 other hospitals.
(electricity sector)
Issuing a decision to contract with a specialized international consulting body for the purpose of developing a plan to implement the smart grid project within a maximum of 30 working days.
– The tendency to implement combined cycle projects in the production of electricity, which will provide 3,500 MW within two years, and will not cost the treasury any additional dollar of fuel.
– Signing an agreement with the German company Siemens, which included the formation of a work map for the development of the electricity system in Iraq in general, the establishment of new generation stations, maintenance and rehabilitation of operating units in Iraq established by Siemens. LINK