Information/Report..
Iraq is facing financial and economic challenges caused by the decline in oil prices in recent months, while the Ministry of Finance confirms that it has no shortage of liquidity and that it is securing salaries for the current year despite the delay in their payment in the last month of 2024.
Parliament recently hosted Finance Minister Taif Sami to discuss a number of economic issues. After the meeting, Finance Committee Chairman Atwan Al-Atwani said that there were no concerns regarding salaries even if oil prices fell to $50 per barrel.
Former and current MPs believe that the financial crisis exists and has prompted the state to take measures to ease financial obligations towards employees by halting transfers and assignments between ministries, as they require adding new financial allocations.
In this regard, former MP Mohammed Al-Shabaki confirms that Iraq is suffering from a financial crisis, the repercussions of which have been reflected in a series of government decisions.
Al-Shabaki said in an interview with Al-Maalouma Agency, "Iraq's financial situation does not bode well, because all revenues come from the sale of oil and one commodity, and this country will certainly suffer an economic crisis if oil and energy prices fall," indicating that "the financial budget for the year 2025 will be financed by a full deficit according to revenues amounting to 137 trillion dinars and spending of about 159 trillion."
He added, "Diversifying imports is necessary to overcome the current crisis, and there must also be a political decision to streamline some spending units and eliminate financial waste and the like," indicating that "the crisis appeared clearly when the Ministry of Finance announced that there would be no appointments this year and the cancellation of sending a proposal to amend the employee salary scale law to Parliament due to the financial obligations resulting from it, in addition to stopping the transfer and appointment processes because they require adding financial allocations to some ministries."
For its part, the State of Law Coalition warned, on Wednesday, of attempts to create a financial crisis in Iraq through rumors about the salaries of employees and retirees, stressing that the current situation is good and salaries are secured for the current year.
Coalition member Imran Karkoush explained in an interview with Al-Maalouma Agency, "The issue of the financial crisis is not at the level that is being talked about. Compensation, allowances, and delayed entitlements have been paid to employees of some ministries and retirees, and the state is in a good position." He indicated that "what is being rumored are attempts to create a new crisis in Iraq, and at this moment there is no such problem, and the situation requires more reassurances from the state and government to the Iraqi public opinion and not to allow a crisis to occur there."
He believes that "the situation in the region is moving towards a kind of stability, especially with the approaching cessation of the Zionist aggression on Gaza and reaching an agreement to end the war. Iraq also has good understandings with countries, in addition to the stability of oil prices," stressing that "there are no major concerns and the Ministry of Finance confirms that salaries are secured for the current year 2025."
Parliament is scheduled to vote on the 2025 general budget next Sunday after extensive discussions and debate during the past period, while representatives and experts confirm that the budget deficit will be greater than its predecessors and warned of a widening gap between imports and government spending.
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