CAN THE POPULATION CENSUS SUCCEED IN DRAWING A NEW ECONOMIC POLICY IN IRAQ? WITH MNT GOAT COMMENTS, 23 NOV

CAN THE POPULATION CENSUS SUCCEED IN DRAWING A NEW ECONOMIC POLICY IN IRAQ?

The Iraqi government is preparing to conduct a general population census on November 20, the first census to include all regions of Iraq in nearly 4 decades.

Iraq witnessed the last general population census that included all its governorates in 1987, and although the country conducted another population census in 1997, the latter did not include the governorates of the Kurdistan Region, because they were semi-independent from Iraq during the era of the former regime.

The population census represents a vital tool for formulating economic policies based on updated facts and data that enhance the government’s ability to achieve comprehensive and balanced economic growth, while addressing economic and social challenges.

On the subject, the financial and banking specialist, Mustafa Hantoush, said in an interview with / Al-Maalouma / Agency that the Iraqi state’s funds are scattered and it does not know where to direct them or where to start the development process, indicating that “The general population census is full of positives and has no negatives.”

He comes added, “There are no higher policies or clear lines to work on, and every country that puts forward its ideas far from the needs of society, and the population census will end this chaos by clarifying a number of important matters.”

He pointed out that “Iraq has clear economic problems in work, housing and diversifying the economy, and the state cannot solve them except by conducting a general population census.”

For his part, economic expert Dhurgham Muhammad confirmed that the results of the general population census will help the government reach a realistic formula and vision during the preparation and amendment of next year’s budget schedules, while he pointed out the necessity of having a real reading of the future of oil prices for next year in order to determine a reasonable price for a barrel of oil that will be adopted by the 2025 budget.

Mohamed Ali said in a statement to Al-Maalouma Agency, “The amendments to the 2025 budget schedules will depend scientifically and realistically on the results of the general population census that will be conducted at the end of this month,” indicating that “the census Results will give the government clarity when conducting transfers and drawing up realistic development plans.” 

He added that “the authorities responsible for preparing the budget must re-read it for the future of oil prices and adopt an appropriate and realistic price that is consistent with the expectations of global oil market experts, when preparing the schedules for next year, as Most indicators confirm a decrease in oil prices for security and economic reasons.”

Recently, rumors have spread on social media that the general population census will lead to the cutting of welfare salaries or the imposition of new taxes on citizens.

In this context, MP Aref Al-Hamami said in an interview with Al-Maalouma, “What is being said is inaccurate and we deny it completely and in detail through our close knowledge of the census’s progress and its great benefits in preparing the country’s strategic Plans for decades in terms of economy and development.”

He pointed out that “effective participation with the provision of accurate information will ensure the existence of comprehensive data that gives the government a vision in drawing the foundations of its future plans directly.”

The general population census will be launched on the 20th and 21st of this month in all Iraqi governorates, which will include a curfew. About 120,000 enumerators will participate in the census, while the Ministry of Planning confirmed that this census will contribute to knowing the real numbers of the population and the living conditions that will be invested for development purposes. 

(The key wording in this VERY IMPORTANT census is “in all governorates”. This will be an all inclusive census to develop Iraq as an all-inclusive country and not sectarian as past federal governments did.)

EXCERPTS FROM MARKZ, 23 NOV

 EXCERPTS FROM MARKZ

MZ: Bond news is all over the place and we are trying to figure out what is real and what is not. They thought they were supposed to be paid last night….now its before the weekend or over the weekend…we are getting a lot of different stories from different people.

MZ: One group leader did say they may actually get paid Sunday night to Monday morning. So there is a little chatter on that front. 

DINAR REVALUATION HIGHLIGHTS!!: THE RV IS IMMINENT

EXCHANGE RATES WILL RISE FURTHER.. WARNING OF AN IMMINENT ECONOMIC CRISIS DUE TO THE “COLDNESS” OF THE CENTRAL BANK WITH COMMENTS OF MNT GOAT, 23 NOV

EXCHANGE RATES WILL RISE FURTHER.. WARNING OF AN IMMINENT ECONOMIC CRISIS DUE TO THE “COLDNESS” OF THE CENTRAL BANK 

Economic researcher Ziad Al-Hashemi warned of serious economic repercussions as the deadline to stop the dollar platform approaches in six weeks, noting that the Central Bank of Iraq is still dealing with the crisis coldly, which could lead to higher exchange rates and a shortage of imported materials.

Al-Hashemi explained in a post on the X platform that “dollar platform transfers represent about 22% of the total monthly transfers, which is a large number that has not yet been zeroed out, indicating that the continuation of this high percentage and its failure to adapt it to the new correspondent bank transfer system before the specified date may cause major disturbances in the markets.”

He added that “not addressing this issue will lead to some of the remittances going to the parallel market, which will increase the demand for the dollar and raise its exchange rate significantly, which will negatively affect the prices of goods and services in the Iraqi market. He also expected that this will hinder the ability of a large number of traders to import, which will cause a shortage of imported goods and an increase in their prices.”

He pointed out that “the Central Bank seems to be betting on a smooth transition process without problems, but it considered this bet unrealistic in light of the absence of a clear plan to manage the transitional phase.”

Al-Hashemi concluded his warnings by saying, “The Central Bank has only six weeks to act and manage this crisis, otherwise the delay will lead to disastrous results that will cast a shadow over the Iraqi economy by the end of this year.”

(There repercussions of the dollar platform will not happen if the sole peg to the dollar is also repegged away from the dollar and the demand for the dinar by global trading is realized. Many more banks “correspondent” banks will take up the exchange slack and avert any issues. But to do this means getting the reinstatement back to FOREX. Is this the plan? Is this why the remaining 22% does not seem to bother the CBI? Do they know something the author of this article does not know?)

EXCERPTS FROM MNT GOAT, 23 NOV

 EXCERPTS FROM MNT GOAT

Bottom line is this – the IMF fully intends to repeg the IQD to a basket of currencies once they revalue it and turn it back on FOREX (as you know this is called a reinstatement for all you newbies). It will initially be a FREE FLOAT driven by market fluctuations however it will be monitored and my CBI contact has told me they will cap it at a level to control the initial massive swings, if needed. Then over a period, the rate is expected to settle down to its nominal rate. 

I am told this could be about $3.85ish. The then CBI director in 2011 Dr. Shabibi told his audience in a news media  conference on the Iraqi economy that the dinar could sustain a fluctuation as high as $16 USD. Many of these very stupid intel gurus have told you many lies about what he really said as they exaggerate this peak amount to much, much more. Don’t believe it. 

I am told that the IMF will use the cap at about $9-$11 to prevent wild swings out of control that could potentially hurt the basket. I also want to bring out the very recent article on the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) and how important this article is, however, most readers did not even realize or catch on as to why they were explaining all of this to us.

 So, let me bring it to your attention again. Let me bring out the main points of this article since we are talking about this basket today and connect this SDR news to the basket of currencies we are about to see for the new peg.

MAJEED: IRAQ NEEDS A STRONG IRAQI DINAR VALUE TO REBUILD THE COUNTRY : $13 IQD PER 1 USD

 

AL-ARAJI: IRAQ STANDS ON THE CUSP OF A HISTORIC DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION, 23 NOV

AL-ARAJI: IRAQ STANDS ON THE CUSP OF A HISTORIC DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

National Security Advisor, Qassim al-Araji, said on Monday that Iraq stands on the cusp of a historic digital transformation to promote sustainable infrastructure, pointing to Iraq’s commitment to developing a comprehensive digital national strategy.
 
 Al-Araji said, in a speech during the Iraqi Digital Forum, which was attended by a reporter of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The Prime Minister sent his greetings and apologies for not attending due to an emergency circumstance.”

“The forum represents a platform that brings together a group of local and international experts and leaders in the fields of technology and strategies to discuss and achieve a promising Iraqi digital vision,” al-Araji said.

He added that “digital transformation is the basis of countries’ progress, and Iraq stands on the threshold of a historic opportunity to determine its digital readiness and keep pace with global development,” noting that “the forum reflects Iraq’s commitment to establishing a safe and sustainable digital infrastructure.”
 
 He noted that “the forum aims to achieve a set of objectives, most notably:


1.Promote intersectoral cooperation by building effective partnerships between the public and private sectors, academic institutions and international bodies.

2.Addressing cybersecurity challenges as a key priority. 

3.Support e-commerce and electronic payment to facilitate economic operations. 

4.Enabling artificial intelligence in building an advanced digital economy.

“The National Security Adviser plays a pivotal role in formulating policies and legislation, co-ordinating between security and intelligence agencies, and preparing national strategies in various fields,” al-Araji said.

He stressed “the importance of laying the foundations of a digital national strategy in line with government directions,” pointing out that “the participation of prominent figures from the Parliament and advisors to the Prime Minister, along with representatives of international institutions and the director of the Arab Regional Center for Cybersecurity, reflects a serious commitment to promote integration between scientific research and innovation.”
 
He praised “the efforts of Iraqi universities and the role of the private sector in supporting digital transformation,” stressing that “the Supreme Committee for Digital Transformation, headed by the Prime Minister, is working to lay the right foundations to achieve a comprehensive digital transformation that contributes to eliminating financial and administrative corruption and reducing red tape, in a way that directly serves the citizen.”