Nechirvan Barzani Discusses With Plasschaert The Political And Security Situation In Iraq
The President of the Kurdistan Region discussed with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, The political and security situation, in addition to the Iraqi provincial council elections
According to a statement issued by the regional presidency, Nechirvan Barzani met with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Jeanine Plasschaert, today, Saturday. I agree The two sides are of the opinion on “the importance of conducting and successful voting in council elections.” Governorates in Iraq, and discussed the relations between Erbil and Baghdad.
Barzani and Plasschaert stressed the importance of protecting security The operation is to take place in a safe and stable atmosphere, especially in the areas covered by Article 140 From the permanent Iraqi constitution.
Regarding relations between Erbil and Baghdad, values The two sides positively expressed the efforts and role of Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, the Iraqi Prime Minister, "The hope of strengthening relations between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government during The next stage is to resolve the outstanding problems between the two sides on the basis of the constitution.
On December 12, the Iraq Economic Contact Group (IECG) held the final meeting of 2023, co-chaired by Italy and the United States. As friends and partners of Iraq, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the World Bank commit to supporting Iraq in the implementation of a comprehensive and ambitious reform agenda, paving the way to sustainable and inclusive economic development.
The IECG is eager to strengthen its engagement with the Government of Iraq (GOI) through regular dialogue at both the political and technical level. This engagement is crucial to streamline cooperation between the two sides, identify and support common goals, and support the GOI’s priority reform areas. The IECG commends Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani for appointing business and economics experts within his office and looks forward to collaborating with them.
The IECG was encouraged by Prime Minister Sudani’s announcement of new economic reform initiatives throughout 2023 and the passing of a historic three-year budget that laid the foundation for implementation of the government’s reform agenda. In October, Iraq gained membership to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) – a move strongly supported by the IECG as the first step to unlocking new sources of investment and enhanced cooperation with other multilateral and bilateral financial facilities. In the past month, the government convened conferences on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and tax reform, including a new bank sector reform project with Rafidain Bank.
Further, the GOI recently announced the establishment of the Iraq Fund for Development (IFD) alongside the Development Road project, and the Prime Minister strengthened economic ties with regional partners. The GOI’s efforts to expand the use of digital platforms for financial transactions, with electronic payment and other e-commerce mechanisms, represent important steps to minimize the informal economy and reduce opportunities for corruption.
Looking ahead to next year, the IECG welcomes further cooperation in support of Iraq’s economic and financial sector development, including Prime Minister Sudani’s policies to strengthen the dinar and oversee monetary policy. Clear communication of new dinar policies during the transition period will help avoid adverse effects on Iraqi households and businesses as well as on development cooperation projects and foreign investments in Iraq. The IECG also stands ready to support Iraq’s next steps to becoming an EBRD Country of Operations, its journey toward World Trade Organization accession, and its potential partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB).
EIB’s expertise in road, railroad, water and sanitation investments, climate action, environmental sustainability financing as well as urban transmission initiatives will accelerate key infrastructure measures and help facilitate a green transition. The IECG urges further attention in 2024 to address the deficit and public sector wage bill, measures that would improve fiscal resilience. Timely budget execution will be critical to the GOI’s ability to sustain important infrastructure investment, particularly in expanding domestic power generation, distribution, and expansion of green energy.
Long-term sustainable economic development is contingent on a dedicated response to pressing climate and environmental challenges. Sustained investment in water management and infrastructure is critical to counteract the debilitating impacts of climate change. To accelerate private sector growth, the IECG encourages government action to identify and address the challenges faced by domestic and international business, including efforts to promote transparent and predictable regulations. In this vein, we welcome further progress on the PPP, Companies, Industrial Investment, Customs, and Arbitration laws as well as timely implementation of the recommendations from the recent PPP and tax reform conferences. On January 1, Italy and the United States proudly hand over the IECG to incoming co-chairs France and the United Kingdom. Under their leadership, the IECG will continue to support an ambitious reform agenda, promote sustainable economic development, and stand by Iraq’s side as a reliable friend and partner in 2024.
BANK STORY LADY: I called Chase Bank this morning...I asked would they be exchanging the Iraqi dinar this January 1, 2024. He said we haven't been given the information yet but we will probably get it around December 31, 2023 or January 1, 2024.
FRANK: I agree with him BTW.
BANK STORY LADY: He was so nice. He invited me to come in at anytime and open an account. The other [call] said not all the Chase Banks would not be handling the foreign currency. They didn't know which ones yet.
FRANK26: What was the officer’s position? The world financial advisers of Chase Bank, perfect guy to talk to. What happened when you walked into the bank?
BANK STORY PERSON: I asked him if he ever heard of the Iraq dinar or Vietnamese dong. He said I have heard of both…He used to work for Wells-Fargo for 12 year…He told me when he was at Wells Fargo they were specifically told to tell everyone it was a scam. That’s why obviously 95% of the population thinks it’s a scam…He said I know Jamie Dimon [CEO of Chase Bank]…he did know that he supports the Iraqi’s dinar 100%. He did know that. FRANK: Did he hint about the future with Chase and the Iraqi dinar?
BANK STORY PERSON: He said he does know they will be exchanging the currency.
[Bank story continued]
FRANK26: Oh, snap! …You talked to the most prefect individual, the Wealth Management Advisor Director of all the Chase Banks in America. Holy cow…>Notice he wasn’t in defensive posture. He wasn’t in an angry mood…He had a straightforward conversation.
FRANK26: How in the world can we trust Wells Fargo when they are purposely lying to us? All they have to do is say no comment. That’s it…they sold me dinars back in 2005.
[Iraqi Kurdish region boots on the ground update]
SUPERGIRL: I talk to my Kurdish friend, Dyaa got news two days ago from Iraqi news. They’re saying to the citizens here they are removing the zeros but they didn’t not say when…He heard from Iraqi news and he thinks it was BBC (British Broadcasting Company), it could have been CNN, he was not sure but he did hear they are removing the zeros an they will change it to a 1, 5, 10, 20, 50…
FRANK: Wow, jackpot! I’m excited to see what he has to show you very soon…
You don’t have to go to a bank. There are other places you can go to. There will be other places and you’ll find out. There are many places…It will not be just one bank. It will not be just one source. It will be diversified.
Public Figure Calls for Biden’s Action on Gaza Crisis, 17 DEC
In a recent public call to action, a prominent figure has urged President Biden to address the escalating crisis in Gaza. The figure, whose identity remains undisclosed, took to Twitter to voice two specific requests directed at the Biden administration. The tweet, however, was obscured due to JavaScript being disabled in the browser.
Request to Withhold Funds
In the first part of their plea, the individual called on President Biden to withhold the proposed $10 billion aid to Netanyahu’s government. The figure labeled the Netanyahu administration as right-wing and criticized its ‘horrific military strategy.’
Support for a UN Humanitarian Ceasefire
The second part of the appeal entailed an urgent request for President Biden to support a United Nations humanitarian ceasefire. The ceasefire, it is hoped, would allow critically needed aid to reach the embattled people of Gaza, additionally facilitating the release of hostages.
U.S. Stance on Gaza Conflict
The web page also featured transcripts from the PBS NewsHour on December 13, 2023, addressing several international issues, including the conflict in Gaza. The U.S. expressed concern for civilian safety in Gaza, urging Israel to take proactive steps to protect civilians.
The U.S. is also said to have discussed its stance on conflicts and diplomatic efforts to resolve these issues, including interactions with nations like China, Iran, Iraq, and Bangladesh. These discussions also spanned detainee issues in Afghanistan and concerns about human rights and democratic processes in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The Central Bank of Iraq’s total dollar sales declined within a week
Shafaq News/ The Central Bank of Iraq’s total sales of hard currency to the US dollar during the past week amounted to more than 800 million dollars.
Shafaq News Agency correspondent stated that the Central Bank sold during the past week and for the four days in which the auction was opened, 883 million and 860 thousand and 97 dollars, at a daily rate of 220 million and 965 million and 24 dollars, lower than what it recorded last week, which amounted to one billion and 48 million 170 thousand and 594 dollars.
The highest dollar sales were on Wednesday, when sales amounted to 222 million, 559 thousand and 204 dollars, while the lowest sales were on Thursday, when sales amounted to 219 million, 157 thousand and 334 dollars.
Our correspondent indicated that sales of foreign remittances during the past week amounted to 801 million 30 thousand and 97 dollars, an increase of 90% compared to cash sales that amounted to 82 million 830 thousand dollars.
Our correspondent explained that the sales went in the form of cash and transfers abroad to finance foreign trade, while the selling price of documentary credits and international settlements for electronic cards reached 1,305 dinars per dollar, while the selling price of transfers abroad and the cash selling price reached 1,310 dinars per dollar.