As a result of pressure, for the first time, Erbil submits to Baghdad and hands over its oil shares, 18 OCT
According to Moeen Al-Kadhimi, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, the regional government has acknowledged the delivery of the region’s approved oil share, as well as non-oil revenues related to the border crossings. This marks the first time that the government has acknowledged the delivery of the region’s oil share as stated in the 2023 budget.
According to a statement by Al-Kadhimi, the region is currently under social pressure due to the failure to pay the salaries of its employees for the months of July, August, and September. The amount received from the federal government as a first payment is not enough to cover all the salaries, as the monthly salary expense for the region’s employees is around 900 trillion, which amounts to approximately 10 to 11 trillion annually.
According to him, due to public pressure, the region has agreed to hand over its oil share of 400,000 barrels to the Federal M
inistry of Oil, along with non-oil revenues related to the border crossings. This marks the first time that the region has complied with its obligations to the federal government.
The Kurdish delegation arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday and plans to request the government to fulfill its commitment of providing the remaining financial payments to pay the salaries of its employees. However, the government will only do so after the regional government acknowledges its obligations to implement the provisions of the 2023 budget for the Kurdistan region.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Finance of the Kurdistan Region will meet with the House of Representatives to discuss financial obligations between Baghdad and Erbil, including salaries.
A delegation from the regional government arrived in the capital city of Baghdad yesterday evening, Tuesday. Today, Wednesday, they will hold a meeting with the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives to discuss the budget and salaries. The meeting is expected to address important issues related to the financial wellbeing of the region. The delegation’s visit is a significant step towards resolving these issues. The meeting is scheduled to take place today.
Their goal is to de-dollarize the country. They've been working on this for a long time. Their job is not to specifically say, 'We're going to change the rate on Thursday of next week.'
They're not going to do that. They just will not. I think everybody should understand that by now...
When they do direct banking to go international it's not going be at a rate like 1310, it's going to be something that's fair, real effective exchange rate, something similar to that...
This is good information. It's phenomenal. Central banks' involved, the appropriate ground has been set for the auction window to leave...
Article: "...Representative have agreed on the importance of passing this law [HCL] because it guarantees the fair distribution of wealth to all Iraqis ..."
That's everybody in parliament, that's everybody, so I think there isn't going to be anybody that would miss that vote... So why haven't they done it? They have to value that. That's what we're waiting for to see if they have a new valuation for that based off the new international exchange rate...
Bruce
[via WiserNow] ...our hope is that we get notified - we set our appointments - and at least start Thursday.
That's what I'm hoping that we'll see if that's what manifests... you know guys, we've been awfully close before, or at least we thought it was that case. And now we're at that same point of could it happen? ...So we hope that this is it...
Iraq Just BANNED The Dollar | Sets A New Tone For Global Dollar Dump
Tech Revolution: 10-18-2023
Iraq has shared an important announcement. Starting on January 1, 2024, Iraq will no longer allow people to take out or make transactions using U.S. dollars.
They're doing this to stop bad people from using the U.S. dollar for illegal activities and to avoid getting in trouble with the United States over sanctions on Iran.
The idea is to prevent about half of the $10 billion that Iraq brings in from the New York Federal Reserve each year in cash from being used in bad ways.
Mazen Ahmed, who works at Iraq's central bank, explained this to. This move is also part of a bigger plan to use the U.S. dollar less in Iraq. People in Iraq have been using the U.S. dollar a lot because they've had many problems like wars and crises since 2003 when the United States invaded their country.
If you put your U.S. dollars in a bank before the end of 2023, you can still take them out in 2024. But if you deposit dollars in 2024, you'll only be able to take out the local currency at a rate set by the government.
The government has one rate for the Iraqi dinar, which is their currency, but on the street, people exchange money at a different rate. Starting in the year 2024, if you happen to possess U.S. dollars in Iraq, there will be some significant changes in how you can use them.
You will have two main options. First, you can use your U.S. dollars with a specially designed card that will allow you to make purchases and transactions inside Iraq at the official government exchange rate.
The second option is to convert your U.S. dollars into the local Iraqi dinar at the rate set by the government.
In simpler terms, if you have U.S. dollars and want to spend money in Iraq, you'll need to convert them into the local currency at the government's exchange rate, and then use the dinar for your transactions.
However, here's an important clarification: These new rules apply primarily to accounts that receive money from other countries. In other words, if you're receiving funds from abroad, these regulations will affect you.
If you're only dealing with money generated within Iraq, you may not be subject to these specific restrictions.
This shift is aimed at controlling the use of foreign currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar, in international transactions within Iraq, ultimately promoting the use of the Iraqi dinar and formalizing the country's financial system.
Iraq has already put a system in place to keep an eye on the money coming in and going out of the country, especially wire transfers, which are like electronic money transfers. This was a big problem before because some people were doing fake transactions and sending money to Iran and Syria, which were under U.S. sanctions.
Iraq has established a new system, with assistance from the United States. This system plays a crucial role in managing Iraq's substantial income from selling oil, a valuable resource for the country.
Over time, this system has become increasingly effective in its operation. One of its key functions is to ensure that U.S. dollars are available at the official exchange rate for individuals and businesses engaged in legitimate international trade.
This means that when Iraqis or businesses want to buy essential items like food and consumer goods from other countries, they can access U.S. dollars at a fair and standard rate.
Imagine you're buying groceries at a store, and you want to use your local currency to purchase imported products. Thanks to this system, Iraqis can easily obtain U.S. dollars, which are widely accepted in international trade, to pay for these goods.
This simplifies the process and ensures that transactions are carried out smoothly, without any unexpected currency complications.
So, this system not only helps Iraq manage its oil revenue but also supports the everyday needs of its people by providing access to U.S. dollars for essential imports, all while maintaining a fair and consistent exchange rate.
But, according to Mr. Ahmed, people were still finding ways to misuse cash withdrawals, especially travelers who were allowed to take out up to $3,000. Iraq wants to make sure it doesn't upset the United States because it relies on U.S. help to manage its money and oil.
At the same time, Iraq's government, which is supported by powerful groups close to Iran, doesn't want to make Iran mad or upset the groups that are deeply involved in Iraq's informal economy.
Iraq’s Ambition: From Dates Industry to Gaza Conflict
In the heat of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, another narrative quietly unfolded in the Middle East’s labyrinth of connections and loyalties. This narrative, away from the Gaza Strip’s smoke and rubble, involves Iraq, one of the world’s leading date producers. While this might seem unrelated to the conflict, the interplay of regional politics and global trade offers a nuanced understanding of the Middle East’s dynamics.
Shaping the Date Industry
Iraq has taken a significant step to solidify its position in the global market: it has voted to join the International Dates Council. This move may appear inconspicuous amidst the region’s political turmoil, but it is a manifestation of Iraq’s ambition to capitalize on its agricultural resources. As one of the world’s leading date producers, Iraq’s involvement in this global body will help it manage and promote its dates industry, potentially influencing global prices and trade policies.
The Proxy Web in Gaza Conflict
While Iraq is making strides in the date industry, its factions loyal to Iran have reportedly been involved in supporting Hamas during the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. These factions have allegedly established a ‘resistance operations room,’ signaling Iran’s influence reaching beyond its borders. The leaders of these factions visited Syria and Lebanon to coordinate with regional groups, indicating a complex network of alliances and proxies.
Photographs of these leaders, including the head of Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Abu Alaa al-Walae, in Lebanon, circulated among activists, confirming their presence. This intricate web of connections echoes the region’s complexity, where power dynamics are often manifested through proxies rather than direct involvement.
A Media War or a Ground Offensive?
Despite the intensity of their support for Hamas, these Iraqi factions have ruled out the possibility of a traditional confrontation with Israel in response to a ground attack. This stance suggests that their involvement is primarily centered on providing support and gathering intelligence rather than direct combat.
However, the implications of this ‘media war’ are profound. It underscores Iran’s expansive influence in the region and its ability to coordinate various proxy groups. It also adds another layer of complexity to the conflict, with multiple actors involved on different levels. The potential for escalation cannot be ignored if these factions decide to take direct action against Israel.
Future Implications
The interplay of Iraq’s agricultural ambitions and its factions’ involvement in the Gaza conflict paints a comprehensive picture of the region’s complexities. It highlights the country’s wider aspirations to strengthen its global influence while illuminating the intricate network of alliances on the ground.
As the geopolitical chessboard continues to evolve, the role of Iraq and its proxies will undoubtedly shape the region’s future. Their involvement in the Gaza conflict, coupled with their ambition in the dates industry, signifies a nation attempting to balance its regional loyalties with its global ambitions.
