Parliament opens the file on non-oil revenues
With mounting pressure on the public budget and a growing need for long-term economic stability, Iraq is entering a pivotal phase in managing its financial resources. All eyes are on the parliamentary session next Saturday to discuss non-oil revenues. This step comes at a time when policymakers are increasingly aware of the importance of reducing overall dependence on oil and strengthening alternative sources of funding that support public services and protect purchasing power. For the citizens.
MP Dr. Ali Saber Al-Kinani told Al-Sabah: “Opening the file on non-oil revenues is a national necessity,” noting that focusing on these revenues contributes to reducing dependence on oil, which alleviates pressure on monetary policy and strengthens purchasing power. For the citizens.
He added that the parliamentary debate will provide an opportunity to evaluate the performance of the relevant authorities, improve collection mechanisms, and expand the revenue base from various sources. Diverse.
In this context, MP Alaa Al-Haidari pointed out that boosting non-oil revenues is an important step to address financial imbalances in the general budget, support productive sectors, revitalize industry and agriculture, as well as improve the investment environment and create additional job opportunities, which contributes to strengthening economic and social stability.
As part of the government's efforts to increase non-oil revenues, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, the Prime Minister's advisor on financial affairs, explained that the government program to maximize non-oil revenues contributed to a significant increase in their share last year, as a result of adopting digital governance in the tax and customs sectors. Salih told Al-Sabah newspaper that non-oil revenues rose to approximately 12% of the total 2025 budget, compared to about 7% in previous years. This reflects the government's efforts to improve tax and customs collection and achieve greater financial stability, moving away from total dependence on oil.
Saleh added that this improvement includes multiple categories of revenues, most notably commodity taxes, public sector profits, and customs duties, stressing that the government seeks to raise the percentage of non-oil revenues to about (20%) of the total general budget in the coming years by diversifying sources, improving collection mechanisms, and combating financial evasion.