Tuesday, April 8, 2025

WOLVERINE: Received news 100% that will be receiving our blessing this coming week but not Monday

A large US trade mission arrives in Iraq to sign several agreements, 8 APRIL

A large US trade mission arrives in Iraq to sign several agreements

The US Embassy in Baghdad announced the arrival of a large trade delegation from the United States to Iraq.

A statement from the US Embassy, a copy of which was received by {Euphrates News}, stated that “the American Chamber of Commerce, headed by Steve Lutes, is leading a delegation of 101 members from approximately 60 American companies in the energy, technology, and health sectors to Iraq this week. This is the first trade mission approved by the US Department of Commerce to Iraq and the largest US trade mission to Iraq in the Chamber’s history.”

During the visit, which will extend from April 7 to 9, the delegation will meet with high-ranking Iraqi officials, engage with Iraqi companies, and sign several agreements.

Speaking at a reception honoring the trade mission, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Iraq Daniel Rubinstein said, “We are here tonight to focus on one goal: strengthening business partnerships.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce provides a platform for generating and implementing new ideas aimed at creating business partnerships and policies that influence the thinking of governments and business leaders in both countries. For more than a decade, the Chamber has regularly visited Iraq and hosted Iraqi government delegations in the United States.

During this visit, the American Chamber of Commerce will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce to strengthen relations between the American and Iraqi private sectors.

TIDBIT FROM MILITIAMAN, 8 APRIL

Militia Man

Al Sudani's tone got my attention today. He speaks of radical reform changes to come. It should grab everybody's attention when this man talk with purpose like that.

Like it or not radical change is coming to Iraq. The Development Road Project is going to be a really big deal.

It's not going away...It's front and center. That should have everybody as excited as I am because it's welcoming to see the amount of things we are watching being accomplished that we have never seen before.

Mayhem with Mel, Shakalaka BOOM Call: Australia Rates on the Dinar is $31.42, Dong is $22.33 #iqd

APIKUR Calls for Swift Action to Resume Kurdistan Region Oil Exports Through Turkey, 8 APRIL

APIKUR Calls for Swift Action to Resume Kurdistan Region Oil Exports Through Turkey

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Col. Myles B. Caggins III, spokesperson for the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR), emphasized on Monday the urgent need for agreement to resume oil exports from the Kurdistan Region via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, which has been shut down since March 2023.

Speaking to Kurdistan 24, Caggins noted, “We are reporting our annual production numbers through quarterly shareholders’ meetings and earnings reports.”

However, he warned that current market conditions are unsustainable. “Oil produced in Iraqi Kurdistan is currently sold locally at around $30 per barrel—less than half the $65 to $70 per barrel it could earn on the international market,” Caggins explained. “Selling oil locally does not maximize revenue for our companies or contribute to Iraq’s overall economic prosperity.”

Before the halt in exports, the Kurdistan Region was sending over 400,000 barrels of oil daily through the Turkish port of Ceyhan. With the pipeline idle, local refineries are the only buyers, converting crude into domestic fuels like gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. While necessary, Caggins emphasized that local demand cannot replace the benefits of global sales.

Caggins said APIKUR member companies remain open to dialogue and are eager to restart exports. “We are ready to meet with both the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal government of Iraq,” he stated. “Several meetings have already taken place, and we welcome the Ministry of Oil’s call for another.”

He stressed that future exports must be backed by clear, enforceable agreements. “We need clarity on how we will be paid. These are complex financial transactions, but not new to the federal government, which has long managed similar arrangements in federal Iraq.”

One ongoing challenge is the appointment of an international consultant to assess production and transportation costs, as stipulated in Article 12 of Iraq’s budget amendment. “APIKUR member companies must be involved in reviewing and approving the consultant’s scope of work,” Caggins noted. “This is a basic expectation for any business subject to an external financial evaluation.”

He also reiterated the need for equal treatment of companies operating in the Kurdistan Region. “Our contracts with the KRG are legal, recognized by London courts of arbitration, and have been upheld by Iraqi courts,” Caggins said. “These agreements must be respected, and production-sharing terms clearly defined.”

Caggins praised efforts by both Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani to resolve the issue. “Prime Minister Barzani has actively engaged leaders in Baghdad, Ankara, and Washington. It’s clear that reopening the pipeline is a top economic priority,” he said.

Despite official Iraqi statements indicating that exports would resume imminently, no oil has yet flowed through the pipeline. “For us, written agreements must come first. We cannot risk sending oil without knowing when and how we’ll be paid,” Caggins said.

APIKUR continues to push for constructive dialogue and meaningful outcomes. “We’ve made our position clear: Our companies are ready. It’s time for action,” he concluded.

MILITIAMAN : Merger between Iraq and Rashid and Rafidain Bank, Investment Fund, Gateway to Development, 8 APRIL

MILITIAMAN : Merger between Iraq and Rashid and Rafidain Bank, Investment Fund, Gateway to Development

Highlights

Summary

In this video, the speaker provides an insightful analysis of recent developments in Iraq’s economy, particularly in light of new U.S. policies affecting international trade. The focus shifts towards Iraq’s strategic initiatives for economic reform and the eventual shift towards a more diverse economic structure away from oil dependency.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of radical reforms proposed by influential economic advisers, highlighting a new world economic order that sees Iraq seeking to strengthen its partnerships with U.S. commerce while promoting digital transformation within its banking system.

The agenda includes efforts to bring vast amounts of currency held outside the formal banking system back into Iraq’s economy, enhance financial literacy among its citizens, and execute public-private partnerships.

The intertwined focus on agriculture, technology, and banking reforms indicates a substantial shift towards a diverse and sustainable economic model that the speaker believes is crucial for Iraq’s growth.

📉 U.S. Trade Policies: The United States has enacted measures that are expected to profoundly impact international trade and the global economy, leading to increased tariffs that influence Iraq.
🌐 New Economic System: Emphasis on a developing new world economic order, with America, China, and other players enhancing cooperative ties along the Silk Road for shared economic growth.
🇮🇶 Radical Economic Reforms: Advisers in Iraq propose comprehensive reforms aimed at reducing oil dependency, improving agricultural and industrial sectors, and enhancing consumer protections.
🔄 Digital Transformation: The Central Bank of Iraq is prioritizing digital banking innovations, including e-commerce and payment systems, to integrate wealth into the banking sector and improve financial stability.
💰 Investment Encouragement: Discussions around introducing investment funds to attract wealth held outside formal banking systems are anticipated to strengthen Iraq’s economy and support development projects.
🤝 U.S.-Iraq Relations: A high-level trade delegation from the U.S. is expected to discuss economic cooperation, showcasing increased American interest and confidence in Iraq’s investment landscape.
👥 Public-Private Partnerships: Plans to merge state banks and enhance collaboration between government and private sectors indicate an ongoing shift to a more modern, competitive economy.

Key Insights

📊 Radical Reform Necessity: The call for comprehensive economic reform by advisers underscores the urgency to shift away from oil dependency. Emphasizing the importance of local resources and fostering private-sector growth suggests an acknowledgment that a singular reliance on oil is unsustainable. This pivot could lead Iraq to adopt strategies fostering industrial diversity, thus enabling a more stable economic infrastructure.
🌍 Silk Road and Global Integration: The anticipated role of Iraq in the broader Silk Road initiative reveals its strategic geographic location, implying that its participation is not just about regional benefits but global economic interconnectivity. This perspective shifts Iraq from being a passive player to an active contributor to the international trade ecosystem.
📈 Investment Fund Potential: With vast amounts of money stored outside the banking system, the proposal to create investment funds is a strategic approach to mobilize these resources. Efficiently channeling these funds into developmental sectors—such as infrastructure and technology—would amplify economic growth and address issues of wealth concentration and stagnation.
💡 Digital Banking Evolution: The focus on implementing advanced technological solutions within the banking system highlights Iraq’s commitment to integrating modernization in financial practices. Digital currencies and payment systems not only aim to enhance operational efficiency but also strive to establish transparency and trust within the monetary framework, combating historical tendencies of currency hoarding.
📉 Tariff Implications on Iraq: Sudani’s response to the U.S. customs tariff increase indicates an acute awareness of interdependence in trade relationships. This situation underscores the necessity for Iraq to refine its policies and negotiation tactics to foster balanced trade exchanges that protect its economic interests against sudden shifts in U.S. policy.
🔑 Public-Private Cooperation Framework: The contemplated merger of major banks aligns with global banking trends aimed at increasing efficiencies, improving credit ratings, and fostering investment attractiveness. The government’s ongoing collaboration with international consulting firms assures that strategic reforms are being operated within globally accepted standards.
👩‍🎓 Financial Literacy Initiatives: Iraq’s initiatives to better educate its citizens about financial systems, including currency value and banking practices, represent an ideological commitment to enhancing economic participation. Educating younger populations, who have minimal experience with currencies, is vital for creating a financially savvy citizenry that can navigate the evolving economic landscape effectively.

Conclusion

The video presents a multi-faceted overview of Iraq’s current economic landscape, highlighting ongoing reforms and external influences that shape its trajectory. The insights and highlights extracted from the discussion reveal a nation poised for significant transformation. By implementing radical reforms, enhancing digital infrastructure, and actively engaging international partners, Iraq stands at the crossroads of potentially remarkable economic development. The government’s focus on integrating currency held outside of the banking system and targeting investment opportunities indicates a strategic path toward stability, growth, and sustainability. As the landscape evolves, continued discourse and careful execution of these strategies will be crucial to Iraq’s integration into the global economy.

DINAR REVALUATION

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