There's progress...going into an International world is evident. There's proof of it...
Every one asks why isn't it [HCL] done yet?...Everybody wants it today...I know everybody wants it. So do I, but the truth is we're seeing things that's never been done before...They have the law out there and written. They just haven't got to it. ..I think we all know...if they were going to do it at 1310, 1305 or 1320 they would have already done this by now and they haven't...I hope and pray...the thing that they need is an international Article VIII compliant exchange rate...
A lot of different things that go on behind the scenes that your average person has no idea that it's even going on. They're just looking for what we all are to some degree - When's it going to go, when's it going to happen. But it's a complex process and the awesome thing about it is what we're seeing in public and behind the scenes is showing it's coming. It's coming fast. It's coming furious. It's good.
Iraq’s Political Enigma and International Diplomacy: A Tale of Two Cities
In the shadows of the towering citadels of power in Baghdad, a meeting of significant political magnitude unfolded. The Prime Minister of Iraq, Muhammad Shi’a Al-Sudani, and the Speaker of the Iraqi House of Representatives, Muhammad Al-Halbousi, convened with the Chairman and members of the Electoral Commission Council. Yet, the veil of secrecy shrouded the specifics of this rendezvous, leaving the political landscape of Iraq in a state of anticipatory suspense.
The Enigma of Iraqi Politics
The clandestine nature of this meeting is emblematic of the political labyrinth that characterizes Iraq’s governance. The lack of publicly available details about the agenda or outcomes of the meeting provokes speculation. It underscores the complexities and uncertainties that have long marked Iraqi politics, a dynamic intricately woven with threads of tribal allegiances, sectarian interests, and foreign influences.
However, the conspicuous participation of the Electoral Commission Council hints at the meeting’s potential significance. With the country’s parliamentary elections recently concluded and the formation of the new government underway, the Council’s involvement could signal crucial discussions about the political direction of Iraq.
A Bridge to Shusha: Solidarity in Reconstruction
While political machinations unfolded in the halls of Baghdad, a delegation from Iraq embarked on a journey to the city of Shusha in Azerbaijan. The scars of war were evident as the delegation toured Fuzuli International Airport, observing first-hand the destruction wrought by the Armenian occupation and the ongoing reconstruction efforts of the Azerbaijani government.
They walked through the city streets, where monuments of cultural icons stood vandalized, a mute testament to the devastation of cultural heritage during the occupation. The delegation was then briefed on the city’s history and the extensive restoration works supervised by President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva.
A Shared Story of Resilience
The Iraqi delegation’s visit to Shusha is emblematic of the deep-rooted ties between Iraq and Azerbaijan. It serves as a gesture of solidarity with Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and a testament to their shared resilience in the face of adversity. This diplomatic overture reflects the mutual support that both nations extend to each other’s causes, whether it be the pursuit of political stability in Iraq or the massive reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.
This tale of two cities, Baghdad and Shusha, underscores the interconnected narrative of global diplomacy. It highlights the strategic alliances that shape national destinies and the shared human experiences that transcend geographical and cultural borders. As Iraq grapples with its political future and Azerbaijan with its reconstruction, their stories intertwine, showcasing the enduring power of international cooperation in shaping a resilient and peaceful regional order.
Conflict in Middle East: World Bank Warns of Potential Oil Price Shocks, 30 OCT
The conflict between Israel and Gaza has escalated, with Israeli ministers declaring that the war will not be short-lived and they are resolved to secure victory. As the world watches this tension unfurl, fresh concerns are being raised about the possible ripple effects on the global economy, particularly the oil market, which is already grappling with the fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Global Oil Market on Alert
The World Bank has sounded the alarm bell, warning that the conflict could trigger a sharp increase in oil prices, potentially creating a double shock to the energy market. It noted that the impact of the conflict has so far been limited, with oil prices climbing by about 6%, while other commodity prices such as food and metals remain relatively stable.
However, the bank also outlined three possible scenarios for oil prices depending on the extent of the disruption to oil supplies. A mild disruption, akin to the Libyan civil war in 2011, could push prices up to $103 per barrel. A moderate disruption, like the Iraq war in 2003, could see prices rise by 35% to $121 per barrel. In the event of a severe disruption mirroring the Arab oil embargo in 1973, the prices could surge by 75% to reach $157 per barrel.
Potential Double Energy Shock
Indrawati Gill, the World Bank’s Chief Economist, expressed concern that the recent conflict in the Middle East occurs on the heels of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has been described as the largest shock to commodity markets since the 1970s. If the Middle East conflict escalates, the world could be facing a double energy shock — one from Ukraine and another from the Middle East.
The World Bank also highlighted the potential impact of rising oil prices on food prices, which could exacerbate global food insecurity. A surge in oil prices could trigger inflation in food prices, which is already a growing concern in many developing countries. The bank pointed out that over 700 million people, nearly one-tenth of the world’s population, are already suffering from malnutrition, and the escalating conflict could worsen food insecurity both in the region and globally.
Preparing for Potential Shocks
Despite the limited impact of the conflict on commodity prices to date, the World Bank acknowledged that the global economy is better equipped to handle major oil price shocks than in the 1970s. Countries have significantly reduced their dependence on oil, with the amount of oil required to generate one dollar of GDP decreasing by more than half since 1970. They have diversified their oil sources and expanded their energy resources, including renewable energy. Some countries have even established strategic oil reserves, supply coordination arrangements, and developed futures markets to mitigate the impact of oil shortages on prices.
While these improvements suggest that the impact of an escalation in the conflict may be more moderate than in the past, policymakers need to stay vigilant. Certain commodities, particularly gold, often serve as safe-haven investments during periods of conflict and uncertainty, indicating a potential erosion of investor confidence.
In the event of conflict escalation, developing countries will need strategies to manage potential inflation increases. To avoid worsening price volatility and food insecurity, governments should steer clear of trade restrictions such as export bans on food and fertilizers. They should also refrain from imposing price controls and support measures in response to rising food and oil prices.
In conclusion, while the impact of the conflict on commodity prices has been limited so far, policymakers need to be prepared for potential risks and take measures to manage potential inflation increases and food insecurity.
Article: "Iraq is working to join the World Trade Organization (WTO)"
Quote: "To review the steps taken by Iraq and the Ministry of Trade to complete the technical files that must be submitted to the organization during the coming period, which will be sent by the organization’s secretariat and the accession department to member states in preparation for holding the next negotiating rounds." FULL MEMBERSHIP... FULL THROTTLE ON THE MONETARY REFORM !
Question "When everything happens and the exchange rate has been announced, do we have to exchange everything we have at once or can we do it incrementally?"
That is a personal decision You must decide how much you want to hold and how much you want to fold and when you want to hold it and when you want to fold it.
The new exchange rate is the hope of the Iraqi citizens that they can't see yet. It's unseen to them but yet the evidence is there...
Hadi al-Amiri calls for the withdrawal of Coalition forces from Iraq
Shafaq News/ Hadi al-Amiri, the Secretary-General of the Badr Organization, on Monday said that there is no longer a need for the presence of Global Coalition forces in Iraq, stressing that it hinders the development of the Iraqi army and other security institutions.
"It is time for the global coalition forces to exit Iraq, as there is no longer a need or justification for their presence," he said in a statement he released earlier today, "as long as the global coalition forces are present, no one expects the development of the military capabilities of the Iraqi army and other security institutions."
Al-Amiri, a prominent Shia leader in the ruling coordination framework, continued, "It is truly reprehensible that after all the significant achievements and major victories our security and military agencies have accomplished in their battle against ISIS at its peak, some still argue for the necessity of keeping international forces under the pretext of assisting Iraqi security forces in dealing with the remnants of this terrorism."
He also urged the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to determine a new, short-term timeline for the withdrawal of the US-led coalition from Iraq.
On Palestine, al-Amiri explained that after a period of calm, attacks resumed on the presence of US forces at the Ain al-Assad and Harir bases by factions of the Islamic resistance in Iraq. He described those attacks "as a natural reaction to the alignment of the United States and some European countries with the occupying Zionist entity in committing war crimes against the people of Gaza."
Al-Amiri paid tribute to Palestinian resistance, referring to it as the force that "broke the back of the Zionist enemy and conquered an army that was said to be unbeatable."
Newspapers follow the advantages of Iraq's joining the BRICS group and the problems of the Iraqi banking system
Newspapers published in Baghdad today, Monday, October 30, followed the economic advantages of Iraq’s accession to the BRICS group, the problems of the Iraqi banking system... and other issues.
Regarding the advantages of joining the BRICS group, Al-Sabah newspaper, published by the Iraqi Media Network, quoted the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Financial and Economic Affairs,
Dr. Mazhar Muhammad Salih: “The BRICS group was initially formed from countries that included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.” Africa,” indicating: There is an objective basis for Iraq’s desire to join the group represented by the Iraqi economy’s ties with the countries of the group due to its dependence on an important percentage of Iraq’s oil exports of no less than 55%, especially China and India, and that approximately 70% of Iraq’s imports are with countries. (BRICS) or those seeking to join it.”
Muhammad Saleh added: “This means that the commercial partnership and Iraq’s strong economic interests automatically push towards international economic cooperation with our trading partners, especially in the issue of looking towards broader areas in the flow of the group’s investments to our country in the context of obtaining The advantages of joining in a way that serves the future of sustainable development and economic progress in our country.”
He explained that: “According to the purchasing power parity standard; Brazil, Russia, India, and China are among the ten largest countries in the world in terms of population, area, and gross domestic product, according to the purchasing power parity standard. The last three countries (India, China, and Russia) are considered major and potential emerging powers, while all five countries in the “BRICS” group are also members of the G20, which includes the United States of America and the rest of the G7
. Jalil Al-Lami, in an interview with Al-Sabah, said: “Iraq has announced on more than one occasion its readiness to join the BRICS group, especially since the Iraqi economy is distinguished in most of its indicators by the diversity of natural, human and capital resources, but it suffers from the control of the oil sector over “Gross Domestic Product.”
He stated: “There is a great similarity between Iraq’s economic capabilities and capabilities with what the BRICS countries possess, and thus it is easy for Iraq to achieve high economic growth rates such as those achieved by those countries due to their reliance on more than one resource.” newspaper
. Al-Zawraa, which is issued by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, followed the issue of the problems that the Iraqi banking system suffers from, and the causes of hoarding and lack of confidence in banks. In this regard, it referred to the words of economic expert Nabil Al-Ali: “The banking system is like a young system despite this large number of banks.”
But they were banks that lived during a period of 20 years on one issue, which was the currency selling window, and they were the beneficiaries because it came through the mediation process and benefited from the price differences.”
He added: "Some banks have begun working on the issue of commercial credit and how to profit from it, even if in a limited way. It is possible that these banks will gradually develop and enter into partnerships with major banks or without correspondence and carry out banking operations that benefit the economy, the investor and the country."
Regarding the problem of hoarding, he explained: “Hoarding is a social behavior and part of our behavior because we do not deposit our money in bank accounts. The other matter is that banks do not meet all our needs, so why do we deposit our money in a bank whose branches are few and the withdrawal timings are specific,” indicating: “The banks have not reached A stage of providing services, such as electronic services and other services.
The expert continued: “There are certain periods in which confidence in the banking system weakened, especially after some of them went under guardianship, and the bankruptcy of others during the period from approximately 2014 to 2016, and there were some that were unable to return depositors’ money.” In another matter, Al-Zaman newspaper followed the issue of climate change and trends.
Towards a sustainable green economy.
The Minister of Environment, Nizar Amidi, was quoted as saying: “The Ministry is leading the issue of the green economy and Iraq’s openness to investment in this aspect, with a value of up to 100 billion dollars until the years 2030 and 2035, and allocating some of the necessary budgets in the national budget to support this purposeful trend.” To improve the environment in Iraq, and encourage the adoption of a project to start and stimulate comprehensive environmental improvement and the green economy in the country.”
While the ministry’s spokesman, Amir Ali Al-Hassoun, said, according to Al-Zaman: “Article 35 of the Environmental Protection and Improvement Law No. 27 of 2009, It is linked to clauses two, three and four of Article 20 in the same law, which are concerned with the management of hazardous materials and waste and the criminalization of their possession.
He explained: “The crime of possession includes a prison sentence of three months and the imposition of a fine ranging from one million to ten million dinars, and it is doubled if it is not removed. The person concerned shall be obliged to return hazardous or radioactive materials and waste to the source for safe disposal.”
Al-Hassoun stated: “The Department of Chemical Control and Evaluation of Contaminated Sites in the Ministry completed, during the past year, a study and evaluation of more than a thousand chemicals imported into Iraq, including about 130 environmental approvals after verifying their risks and the safety of their storage. link