TIDBIT FROM CLARE, 26 DEC

  Clare 

 Article:  “Al-Sudani: Everyone is invited to create an Iraqi identity that transcends all sects and religions" 

 Quote: "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said...everyone is called upon to create an Iraqi identity that transcends all sects and religions...

The birth of Jesus Christ is an occasion to emphasize a diverse and unified Iraq, and we adhere to this diversity, which represents a source of strength for all Iraqis... This came during his participation in the Christmas Eve Mass, which was held at St. Joseph's Cathedral in the Karrada district in central Baghdad."

CBI ANNOUNCED THE IQD RV!!!! ‪@DINARREVALUATION‬

 

Iraq pushes digital banking transformation at Baghdad Conference, 26 DEC

 Iraq pushes digital banking transformation at Baghdad Conference

Shafaq News/ Iraq's Central Bank Governor said on Tuesday that the bank is focused on strengthening the banking sector's digital infrastructure and ensuring the provision of innovative and secure services to meet growing customer demands.

“Our vision revolves around enhancing the digital infrastructure of the banking sector and guaranteeing innovative, secure services that address the increasing needs of clients,” Central Bank Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq said in a speech at the opening of the fourth annual international scientific conference in Baghdad, titled "Digital Financial Services: Challenges of the Present and Future Prospects."

Al-Alaq highlighted that the central bank has launched several strategic initiatives aimed at enabling banks and financial institutions to adopt modern digital solutions. “These efforts align with the broader objective of fostering innovation and improving the efficiency of Iraq’s financial sector.”

The conference, organized by Iraq’s Ministry of Finance under the patronage of Finance Minister Taif Sami Mohammed, aims to promote digital transformation in the financial sector in line with global advancements.

The two-day program includes panel discussions featuring local and international experts and interactive workshops designed to build participants' capabilities and equip them with modern tools and techniques to support digital transformation efforts.

According to financial experts, the event is expected to conclude with strategic recommendations to develop a joint action plan that addresses local needs while accelerating digital transformation in line with the Iraqi government’s vision for a robust digital economy.

GINGER: GINTEL FROM A FRIEND, 26 DEC

 GINGER

💢 It's Christmas Day and boy, do we have an exciting tid bit to share from Liberty Lounger Extraordinaire, Kookie Byrd, who just so happens to be one of my closest friends in GLL. He and his lovely wifey, Ginger (also), have been with us for years. 

He's given me permission to share. 🎁

💌 Kookie Byrd: We were at my aunt's house for a traditional tamale dinner. Four generations of family gathered. I was talking to a new husband who had mentioned he had received his new title, Vice President at his work. I asked, "Where do you work?" 

His reply, "City First National Bank." We talked about getting ready for the change and he said, "There's lots of preparation." I didn't want to appear too eager. 

At the end of the night, when they were leaving, I mentioned to him that I had foreign currency. His eyes lit up; and he leaned over to me and said,"We're waiting for the green light! Everything's ready to go!" 

Then I looked at my wife and we both smiled. ☺️😁🥳

Merry Christmas, Mama Bear.

~ Kookie Byrd 

🎁 Ginger: Please consider this Gintel, currently, quadruple vetted by me. 😉 

FIREFLY: CHECKMATE!! : IRAQ MUST ADD VALUE TO THE DINAR ONCE STOPS THE CURRENCY AUCTION #iqd

 

PM Al-Sudani chairs cabinet session on performance review, local sector support, and key reforms, 26 DEC

 PM Al-Sudani chairs cabinet session on performance review, local sector support, and key reforms

Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani presided over the cabinet's regular session, during which the government discussed the general situation in the country and deliberated on several service, economic, and social issues.

According to a statement from the PM’s media office, “the session included a review of a report from the Federal Board of Supreme Audit, submitted to the Prime Minister as part of anti-corruption efforts and the evaluation of ministerial performance.” The report highlighted ministries that showed performance improvement from 2023 to 2024, those that declined, and those that remained consistent.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani directed ministries to adopt the recommendations and observations outlined in the report, investigate the reasons for performance decline or stagnation, and praise ministries that demonstrated positive performance trends.

He also emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who fail in anti-corruption efforts or show negligence in addressing violations and legal issues related to corruption cases.

“The council also discussed the ongoing evaluation of officials’ performance based on established criteria and approved the permanent appointment of 11 directors-general across various state institutions,” the PM’s media office added.

As part of the government's administrative reform agenda, the council approved recommendations to regulate interactions between beneficiary entities and issued guarantees, incorporating feedback from the Legal Department of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

In celebration of the Christmas holidays, the cabinet declared Wednesday, December 25, as an official holiday for all citizens.

The statement further pointed out that the Iraqi Cabinet also approved several measures to support local industry, agriculture, and infrastructure projects. For instance, the government granted additional funding for the General Company for Marketing Drugs and Medical Supplies (KIMADIA) to support the pharmaceutical sector, validated amendments to energy and infrastructure project contracts, and ratified the establishment of the Iraq University for Security Sciences.

FIREFLY: " WE'RE GOING DIGITALLY WITH A NEW RATE" , 26 DEC

 Frank26

  [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report] 

 FIREFLY:All banks according to Mr. Sammy have stopped all cash transfers from today to January 7th as part of early inventory.  We have declared a two-day holiday on Christmas and then the next day.  This is the first time that we've ever done anything like that on Christmas. 

 FRANK:  Soon you will have purchasing power for the first time in a long time. 

 FIREFLY:  This will also mark the end of using or handling cash as ever before...We're going digitally with a new rate...