Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Tuesday that the international coalition’s mission in Iraq is about to end, while indicating that Iraq will deal with any new American administration.

Al-Sudani said in an interview with the American Bloomberg Channel and Agency: “Iraq is an important country in OPEC and OPEC Plus and is committed to reducing its oil production, and we are committed to OPEC’s decisions in a way that maintains oil prices and the equation between the interests of producers and consumers.”

He added: “We have two options regarding exporting oil through the port of Ceyhan, either amending the contracts, which was rejected by the companies contracting with the region, or amending the budget law, and this matter requires political consensus.”

He continued that “the justifications for the presence of the international coalition in Iraq have ended, and Iraq 2024 is not Iraq 2014,” noting that Iraq has shifted from a stage of wars to a stage of stability, and ISIS does not pose a threat to the Iraqi state. Al-Sudani continued:

“We have started a frank dialogue with the international coalition and formed a bilateral committee to arrange the withdrawal of coalition forces, and to announce the end of the coalition forces’ mission in Iraq soon,” indicating that “the end of the international coalition’s mission does not mean the end of the relationship between Iraq and the United States, but rather the opposite, we are engaged in Talks to build sustainable security relations and economic, cultural, social and scientific ties. He added: “We will participate in the international conference of the coalition against the terrorist ISIS.”

He added: “We respect the choices of the American people in choosing their president and we will deal with any administration,” stressing that “Iran supports the political process and Iraq’s efforts in combating terrorism.” Al-Sudani concluded that “Iraq is the only country in the region that has distinguished relations with Iran and the United States.”

************

Tishwash:  Iraq signs agreement to revitalize agricultural sector with Austrian Erste Group Bank

Today, Tuesday, Minister of Finance Taif Sami signed a loan financing agreement from the Austrian Erste Group  Bank to support the center pivot irrigation systems project for the Ministry of Agriculture, stressing that this comes within the strategy of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The ministry said in a statement received by “Mil”, “Finance Minister Taif Sami signed today with the Austrian ambassador to Baghdad a loan financing agreement from the Austrian Erste Group  Bank to support the pivot irrigation systems project for the Ministry of Agriculture, with a value of (262,155,298) euros, and implemented by the Austrian Power Company.”

She explained that “signing the agreement falls within the framework of the government’s efforts to enhance infrastructure and improve public services, and this funding is expected to contribute to revitalizing the agricultural sector, alleviating water scarcity, stimulating economic growth and creating more job opportunities.”

She added, “The agreement comes within the strategy of joint bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Iraq and the Republic of Austria, and in implementation of the ministerial program and General Budget Law No. (13) for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 and Cabinet Resolution No. 24630 of 2024, which focuses on adopting a governing vision for external borrowing for the benefit of investment projects with economic feasibility.”

The Minister of Finance stressed, according to the statement, “the importance of this step in enhancing economic cooperation between Iraq and Austria, and looking forward to more joint projects in the future.”

She pointed out that “the Austrian company Power will provide technical and advisory support to the Ministry of Agriculture during all stages of the project, including design, implementation, operation and maintenance.”

She explained that “the project represents an important step towards modernizing the agricultural sector in Iraq, especially in light of the challenges facing the sector due to water scarcity and climate change, in addition to the fact that this investment will achieve significant economic returns in the long term, by increasing agricultural production and reducing dependence on imports  link

************

PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani met on Monday a delegation from Apple Inc., accompanied by the Head of the Communications and Media Commission, Ali Al-Muayyad.

During the meeting, discussions were held around shared topics of interest as the PM highlighted the ongoing digital transformation in Iraq and the work of the Higher Committee for Digital Transformation, which he heads, alongside other committees working in this field, according to a statement by the PM Media Office – received by the Iraqi News Agency – INA.

He also mentioned Iraq’s evolving status as a ‘successful investment environment’, with many major companies operating in the country, which requires a rapid digital shift.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing the digital and technological capacities of Iraq’s youth, which would expand employment opportunities and support the government’s objectives of completing all transactions through a fully integrated digital environment.

The Apple Inc. delegation proposed initiatives to help develop the skills of young people, focusing on technology developers in collaboration with universities.

They also suggested working on registering devices that enter Iraq to “ensure competitive pricing,” acknowledging the significance of Apple’s products in supporting digital transformations in the economy and financial sectors

************

Tishwash:  Talabani calls on Japan to encourage its companies to invest in Kurdistan

Pavel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, called on Japan to encourage its companies to invest in the Kurdistan Region, stressing the provision of incentives and guarantees to ensure investors.

His media office said in a statement received by Al-Masry that “Talabani received in Sulaymaniyah today the Japanese Ambassador to Baghdad, Matsuo Moto, and the two sides discussed developing relations and expanding the circle of economic and trade coordination in a way that preserves the highest interests.”

Talabani pointed out during the meeting, according to the statement, to “the opportunities available in the Kurdistan Region, including Sulaymaniyah, for capitalists and investors,” indicating that “we provide all facilities to strengthen the economic structures in the Kurdistan Region,” expressing his hope that Japan would play “an influential role in encouraging its companies and businessmen to pump investments into the Kurdistan Region.”

According to the statement, “the two sides discussed developing cultural relations between the Kurdistan Region, including Sulaymaniyah, the capital of culture, with Japan.”

Mot:  .. I Say, I Say!!!

Mot:  . Because of Mary! — YOU can see better in da Rain!!!