Wednesday, July 3, 2024

LATEST FROM PAULETTE, 4 JULY

 Paulette 

 Question: "Iraq is supposed to join the WTO this 18th of July, is that correct?"  

 the 18th is the next meeting of the Steering Committee...the Full Assembly would have to vote to allow Iraq full accession...they are not scheduled to meet until early 2026...It would be extremely uncommon for a Steering Committee to only meet with a country 2 times after the initial meeting.  4 to 7 is the usual...this only the second meeting of the Steering Committee for Iraq.

--

Paulette 

 Community Reminder ["He pointed out that the new currency entry does not mean the destruction of ancient coins, but will continue to trade for about ten years, pointing out that this period will enable the central bank to withdraw the old currency in accordance with the dynamics and mechanics in order to preserve liquidity In the market" This 2016 article says.They will coexist with 10 years.] 

 Exactly! And, this was further clarified that active trading in the Market Place will be upwards of two years while through the banks it would be at least 10...This is what I believe will be told to the citizens when they bring out the Fils and lower notes...IMSO, it won't be a week or 90 days or even 180...Nor will they be cancelling the 3-Zero series for at least 10 years...They are currently following the Dr S plan to a "T"...

---

It is great to see more articles regarding the "Float"...I strongly believe this is the early stages of the last push by the CBI to educate the Citizens prior to implementing the "Delete the Zeros" project...Patience all...this is slowly coming together.

If you go back and read articles after 7/1/23 you will see that Iraq is still under US/(UK) guardianship (receivership) ...There were calls then for the UN to lift this guardianship but [4/10/2024 Article "Our agency publishes the text of the request of the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, to permanently end the work of the United Nations mission in Iraq."] may now be the first "Official" call that I have seen...The corrupt in the US do not want this to change.....The good news is that IMSO, their days are numbered...

 Iraq's WTO Accession Package will likely not be submitted for adoption until MC14 which will be held in early 2026... It clearly was not submitted for adoption at MC13...I anticipate that by then we really won't care.

-----

 Community Comment: "Iraq on May 9 ascends to FULL membership in the WTO"   I hope you are correct regarding the WTO.  However, the documentable facts and articles regarding this issue would say otherwise.  Don't misunderstand, the documentable facts and articles are EXTREMELY positive.  Iraq, under Sudani appears to be serious about becoming WTO members, opening the country to International trade, moving from a Rentier Economy to a Market Economy and finally implementing the Delete the Zeros Project.  Everyone should be excited even if it takes months more to accomplish...FOR READ MORE: https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2024/05/rv-update-by-paulette-14-may.html

----

Al-Sudani and Saleh discuss the country's situation and economic and financial reforms

 Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed, on Tuesday, with former President Barham Salih, the general conditions throughout the country.

The Prime Minister's media office said in a statement received by / Al-Maalouma /, "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani received former President of the Republic Barham Salih.

The statement added, "The meeting discussed the general conditions in the country as a whole and the government's measures to implement the priorities of its executive program, which aims to provide services to citizens and implement economic and financial reforms, the results of which are reflected in general development projects."

He pointed out that "the meeting touched on supporting the holding of legislative elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, scheduled to be held on the twentieth of next October."   link

'IRAQ WILL BE FULL MEMBERS OF THE WTO ON JULY 18TH" BY CLARE, 4 JULY

 Clare  

Question: "Iraq is supposed to join the WTO this 18th of July, is that correct? 

IT WAS REPORTED ON IRAQI TV...THAT IRAQ WILL BE FULL MEMBERS  OF THE WTO JULY 18TH.

--

 Clare  

Article: "Dinar Explainer 1: Why Iraq has Two Exchange Rates

Quote:  "On a recent webinar organized by the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC), Professor Frank Gunter of Lehigh University explained the causes and effects of Iraq's dual exchange rate..."

 1.  Excessive Demand for US Dollars Internationally:...  2. Internal Demand for Dollars...  3. De-Dollarization Efforts by the New York Fed:  The New York Federal Reserve has restricted dollar transfers to reduce dollar flows to Iran and Syria. They have also excluded over two dozen Iraqi banks from transactions, which has increased the complexity and demand for dollars in Iraq.

--

Clare  

Article:   "The President of the Republic approves a number of laws, including the 2024 budget schedules"  

Quote:  “The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, ratified a number of draft laws, which are the schedules of the Federal General Budget Law for the year 2024...The laws were sent after their approval by the President of the Republic for publication in the Iraqi newspaper Al-Waqae' to enter into force."

 Article:  "Parliamentary law challenges the '2024 budget tables' and the federal government is waiting for an answer within 15 days

  Quote: "the appeal was submitted “on the pretext that the numbers mentioned in the budget items will change, and thus this is considered a change to the law and requires the implementation of a new law with a first and Second reading, and final approval.

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2024/06/analysis-of-iraq-news-by-clare-28-june.html

Holding the “Swords of Justice,” Iraq continues fight against ISIS

 Shafaq News/ Security forces in northern and eastern Iraq are striving to eliminate the remaining pockets of ISIS, whose elements are scattered in rugged and semi-mountainous areas, particularly those between the governorates of Kirkuk and Saladin, extending towards Diyala governorate.

Where Is ISIS Hidden?


The prolonged conflict with ISIS has had severe impacts, including mass displacement, loss of life, and destruction of infrastructure. Despite its defeat in 2017, the terrorist organization still has remnants in Iraq.


Some ISIS pockets are active in the valleys of the Daqouq district, the Zarga area in the Tuz Khurmatu district, the Zghitoun area in the Rashad subdistrict of Kirkuk, and the border strip between Saladin and Diyala. These areas are exploited by ISIS elements to sustain their activities, moving intermittently. They also use the rugged border strip between Kirkuk and, specifically, from the Al-Shay Valley towards the Zarga area in Tuz Khurmatu district. This valley is considered a wide area with diverse terrain, including canyons, mountain ranges, and dunes, as well as bodies of water that contribute to making these areas uninhabited, rugged, and difficult for military units to penetrate.


To the northwest, starting from the Mame Mountain range in the Dibis district (70 km northwest of Kirkuk), this strip continues towards the Alton Kopri subdistrict northwest of Kirkuk, connecting to Erbil governorate, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and links with Nineveh governorate. ISIS uses all these locations to move and create security issues, targeting security forces and even civilians.


Kirkuk is a key oil-producing region. Saladin includes the important city of Tikrit due to its strategic location between Baghdad and northern Iraq. Diyala, bordering Iran, has historically been a hotspot for insurgent activities. The rugged terrains and dense cover in these regions make them ideal for guerrilla warfare and hiding spots for ISIS remnants.


Extensive Operations


The Joint Operations Command announced the launch of the seventh phase of the "Swords of Justice" operation.

The Security Media Cell stated that "this operation aligns with the leadership's vision and strategy to pursue the remnants of ISIS terrorist gangs and maintain pressure on their defeated elements as part of the proactive approach adopted by our security forces in various responsibility sectors, preventing the enemy from accessing geographically complex areas."


Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji, the official spokesperson for the Joint Operations Command (JOC), told Shafaq News that "JOC launched extensive security operations in five military commands: West Nineveh, Kirkuk, Saladin, East Saladin, Al-Anbar, and Diyala. This preemptive operation sends a message to ISIS gangs that our military units can execute and strike their hideouts in high temperatures, mountains, and valleys."

He confirmed the operation's complete success, highlighting the destruction of ISIS hideouts, seizure of weapons, and elimination of additional locations.


Al-Khafaji emphasized the military's comprehensive understanding of ISIS's use of mountainous and desert terrain. "The air force and army aviation have played a crucial role," he said, "conducting successful strikes that neutralized numerous ISIS terrorists and destroyed their hideouts in areas surrounding Kirkuk and Saladin."


He also addressed the coordinated efforts between the East Saladin Operations and the Joint Operations Command. "They are working together with Kirkuk and Saladin Operations Command to ensure the security of Kirkuk, Tuz Khurmatu, and eliminate any terrorist activity within these governorates."

Al-Khafaji indicated that "the "Swords of Justice" operation also aims to secure visitors during the holy month of Muharram and those seeking to perform the pilgrimage to Najaf and Karbala. High temperatures and mountainous and plain areas will not be an obstacle for Iraq's heroes, and we will strike ISIS and its pockets at any time and place".


Coordination with the Kurdistan Region


Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji explained that the Joint Operations Command has two special forces brigades formed in coordination with the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and affiliated with the Ministry of Defense. Their mission is to "deploy and monitor the weak areas of security between the Region and other areas." This strategic deployment aims to sever ISIS's movement and activities between these regions.

Al-Khafaji noted that military operations include pursuing ISIS, arms dealers, and drug traffickers, and they will not allow anyone to "compromise citizens' security."


Sealing the Gaps


Security expert Ali al-Bayati told Shafaq News that "the Joint Operations Command is working to seal security gaps and cut off ISIS's routes, especially around Kirkuk, including Daqouq district and Tuz Khurmatu district, where there are joint areas between Kirkuk and Saladin like Al-Shay Valley in Daqouq, Zarga Valley, Zghaitoun southwest of Kirkuk, Al-Fatha area in Saladin, and the strip between Saladin and Diyala in the Al-Azim area".


He continued that controlling the Al-Shay Valley in Daqouq and Zarga in Tuz Khurmatu means eliminating any activity of ISIS terrorist groups, which still exploit security-weak areas to target security forces or even civilians.

He confirmed that "redeploying security forces in southern Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu towards the border strip between Diyala and Saladin will contribute to eliminating ISIS pockets in all their areas of presence."


https://shafaq.com/en/Report/Holding-the-Swords-of-Justice-Iraq-continues-fight-against-ISIS

LATEST FROM MARKZ, 3 JULY

 MarkZ  

 [via PDK]  

 Comment:  Let’s hope July 4th is “the Thursday”...   MarkZ:  There are a lot of rumors going around that this is the “go”...We don’t know.  No one knows the timing.

--

 MarkZ

   [via PDK]  I feel that as far as Iraq is concerned it is done and prepared. They are just waiting on the “go” so they can announce and move forward.

On the Treasury side the rumors are dropping left and right.  Everthing from “It’s tomorrow” to “oh no- they delayed it another month” Crazy rumors….same sources are telling different people different things. That tells us its “MISINFORMATION” and it is done on purpose. Stay calm and remember the fundamentals. Iraq is still looking great. They still have the new ATM’s, they still have conversations saying they are going to delete the zeros. And they are still having the conversations about releasing the lower denominations in July…things still look great.

---

[via PDK]

  there are some things out of Iraq that should make us feel good today...“The President of Iraq approves the 2024 budget schedules” Rashid approves a number of laws including the 2024 budget tables.  My contacts over there are saying they got the budget tables posted in the Gazette…but did not get a new rate. They let us know that they figured the budget of 2024 on an average price of a barrel of oil at $80 USD. This is progress.

 Something fun popped into the news yesterday...both from banks and exchange locations in Iraq. There was a notice that they are expecting distribution of lower denomination bills in July.  

Both of the confirmations I received this morning from contacts on the ground inside of Iraq used the same words that they were told to expect them to distribute/disperse lower denominations in July.  That tells us how stinking close we are...Why would they need theses lower denominations unless the currency is worth more? ...

..I do not believe there is a new rate in the Gazette this morning. I am not expecting one till Wednesday. I have heard that Sudani has signed off on the budget and it is supposed to be headed to the Gazette. There was some hope it would be printed this morning.


Iraq maintains upper-middle-income status: World Bank

 Shafaq News/ The World Bank has announced that Iraq has retained its status as an upper-middle-income country, according to its July 2024 report. 

This marks the 12th consecutive year that Iraq has been classified in this category.

The World Bank classifies economies into four income groups based on gross national income (GNI) per capita: low-income, lower-middle-income, upper-middle-income, and high-income. GNI per capita is expressed in U.S. dollars.

All Gulf Arab states are classified as high-income, while Bulgaria and Belarus have moved from the upper-middle-income to the high-income category this year. Algeria, Iran, Mongolia, and Ukraine have also been upgraded from lower-middle-income to upper-middle-income status.

LATEST FROM MNT GOAT, 3 JULY

 Mnt Goat

   The news is still concentrating mostly on bringing in foreign investors and they told us today that there was a two part plan, and this plan is now completed...

The other part of the ongoing news from Iraq is still about the Parallel Market rate vs the Official CBI rate of the dollar...Saleh works with this issue daily and he is executing a plan. The plan takes time but Saleh says it is working and again tells us “soon” the parallel will equal the official rate

 So the rate is slowly stabilizing as has now reached 1,220 from 1,320. The goal is 1,121.  Folks this is not too far off...This is all good news...

Am I telling you they will RV when it reaches their goal. Of course not but these rates adjustments tell us they can not hold this back much longer and even with their own criteria something must be done and done soon to bring the dinar to the international investment world and free it up...

"KTFA FAMILY... I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS ARTICLE" BY FRANK26, 3 JULY

 KTFA

FRANK26: "KTFA FAMILY... I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS ARTICLE".F26

Raidain Bank announces the implementation of the comprehensive banking system in 31 of its branches in Iraq

 

7/2/2024

Rafidain Bank announced, on Tuesday, the implementation of the comprehensive banking system in the Pharmacists Branch in Basra, thus joining the branches that have activated the comprehensive system in Baghdad and the governorates, in addition to the branches of the border crossings (Zurbatiya - Safwan - Arar - Trebil).

Thus, the number of effective and completed branches of the system becomes (31) branches, in an important step to strengthen the banking system, achieve its requirements, and move away from paper work and completely towards electronic systems.

The bank confirmed in a statement today that the digital transformation plan and the adoption of the comprehensive banking system are proceeding according to the set timetables to include all the bank’s branches in the implementation of the system, especially since the priorities and adoptions of the government program include electronic transformation in financial transactions, reducing the circles of routine for citizens, shortening time, simplifying procedures, overcoming obstacles, and intensifying efforts to improve the level of services provided to customers and completing their transactions.


LINK

LATEST FROM FIREFLY, 3 JULY

Frank26  

 [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report]  

 FIREFLY:
The Gazette, it's been printed but with July 1 date and there's no budget and no budget schedules in it.  Maybe we have to wait for that appeal and the 15 days.

---

[Iraq boots-on-the-ground report] 

  FIREFLY:
Television says that the development road project has Iraq as center of global trade and it will be the hub for the Middle East.  

FRANK: Of the Middle East?  No.  The world...They're trying to tell you, you have a new exchange rate because these words don't mean anything at 1320.

 FIREFLY:

We are now hearing from our news on Channel One that Iraq has been fully accepted into the WTO.  This is going to be official...July the 18th.   FRANK:  To join the WTO Iraq does not need a currency with value.  No, that's not the point.  Iraq needs a currency that has no restrictions, no handcuffs, no limitations in order for it to float on an international market...whatever the case this is very good.


 FIREFLY:
The television is saying parliament committee is saying there is a new number in the budget.  They just admitted we have a new exchange rate and they say they want to be in charge of it, that they want to control, they want to put some votes...Saying the budget has numbers that will change and that's unconstitutional without another reading...It is a 15 day appeals process..


"GIVE ME A 'H'... GIVE ME A 'C'... GIVE ME A 'L'... WHAT'S THAT SPELL?" BY FRANK26, 3 JULY

 KTFA

FRANK26: "GIVE ME A 'H'... GIVE ME A 'C'... GIVE ME A 'L'... WHAT'S THAT SPELL?".......F26

Barzani to visit Baghdad tomorrow, Wednesday

7/2/2024

Baghdad - 

The President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani, will arrive in the capital, Baghdad, tomorrow, Wednesday, on an official visit, the first of its kind in 6 years.

According to local reports and Kurdish sources, "Barzani will visit Baghdad to discuss several issues. The visit can be described as not to discuss pending files, but rather as a final culmination of the end of all technical and legal discussions for all current files, at least those represented by salaries and political crises, while the major files represented by the oil and gas law and the file of resuming the export of the region's oil,which has become a vicious circle between Baghdad and foreign companies operating in the region, continue."

Barzani's visit also coincides with the Turkish incursion and ground operations it is carrying out in northern Dohuk within the Kurdistan Region, while these operations came according to a prior agreement between Baghdad and Ankara during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Baghdad.

LINK

 

LATEST FROM TEXAS SNAKE, 3 JULY

 TEXAS SNAKE

Well one item that was confirmed during the call is that there were hundreds of ATM machines positioned all over the city and loaded with new lower denomination notes.  They anticipate this weekend or during the Holy Week celebration.


Well folks there appears to be some degree of validity to this as I just heard from the UK banker putting me on alert.

---


Sat. 29 June 2024 Texas Snake

 “I have nothing to confirm the hour we will be notified about appointments to exchange or the dollar value of same, I do know the banker has had his staff on a one hour call to report to their assigned locations once the release has become authorized for the past three days, and that the rate in country was published in the Gazette today Sat. 29 June 2024.  So folks we are extremely close. GOD Bless.”

--

TEXAS SNAKE

As most know our Saturday is Iraq's Sunday.  The new Budget was included in the latest Gazette but the rate was not given.  I now have it from 3 different sources that Iraq is planning a nationwide celebration for this Sunday.  


There are many foreign dignitaries in country for the party and the rate will be announced and the new ATM's with the new currency will be opened.  So this is my hoped for announcement for tomorrow.  GOD Bless.....

---


Just an FYI but I closed the room after the comments about Gurus and MarkZ, this room is for my connections with major international bankers and NYSE upper management as well as a WF banker involved with actual exchange centers his bank has prepared to do actual monetary exchanges of currencies. 


 I plan on advising once the exchange platform is about to begin so we will have an advance alert.


https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2024/06/rv-update-by-texas-snake-via-telegram.html