GOLDILOCKS: Iraq and Vietnam are already set up their already "in place" digital platforms!! #iqd

 

FRANK26: "OIL KNOWS ITS VALUE... AND IT'S NOT 1310", 22 APRIL

 KTFA

FRANK26: "OIL KNOWS ITS VALUE... AND IT'S NOT 1310"......F26

Baghdad and Erbil are discussing with foreign companies a mechanism for resuming the region's oil exports.

4/20/2025

 / Baghdad

 

An informed source revealed on Saturday that a tripartite meeting was held in Erbil,bringing together representatives of the federal government, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and foreign oil companies operating in the region, to discuss a mechanism for resuming Kurdistan's oil exports.

The source told Al-Ahed News, "The meeting addressed the activities of oil investment companies, discussed ways to resume oil exports from the region, and listened to the views of production companies regarding the next steps."

He added, "The meeting witnessed an extensive discussion of the technical and logistical challenges hindering the resumption of exports, and the importance of coordination between all parties was emphasized to ensure positive outcomes that serve the country's interests."

It is noteworthy that a meeting scheduled to be held last Saturday in the capital, Baghdad, between the federal Ministry of Oil, the Ministry of Natural Resources in the regional government, and the Kurdistan Oil Industries Union (APIKUR), was postponed for reasons yet to be revealed.

LINK

 

FRANK26: "YOU LISTENING IRAN?", 21 APRIL

 KTFA

FRANK26: "YOU LISTENING IRAN?".....F26

Al-Sudani: We seek to expand the military industries base in Iraq

4/19/2025

 

Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, stressed on Saturday his government's efforts to develop and expand the military industries base in Iraq.

This came in a speech he delivered at the launch of the 13th Security, Defense, Military Industries, and Cybersecurity Exhibition, being held in the capital, Baghdad.

In his speech, Al-Sudani said, "Through this exhibition, we clearly seek to expand the military industries base in Iraq after we established its foundations through laws and the Military Industrialization Authority, and the roar of factories has begun at the level of qualifying light and medium equipment and other military requirements."

He added, "The concept of security is increasingly complex today, encompassing aspects and platforms that did not constitute a security challenge or threat in and of themselves. However, the expanding scope of capabilities available to terrorist and criminal organizations, and the multiplicity of outlets through which they can practice terrorism, crime, recruitment activities, or information hacking, all of this requires special effort and early action, conscious of the importance of fortifying our information systems."

Al-Sudani emphasized the need to preempt the criminal mind with cybersecurity measures, as threats are no longer limited to traditional areas or the human factor of hacking. He explained, "In this regard, our government is working on multiple tracks, including building and training specialized security cadres for information security and electronic protection of service and financial applications, preparing countermeasures against any expected cyber attacks, and securing government data and protecting it from hacking."

The Prime Minister continued, saying that his government is working within a comprehensive framework that is rapidly moving toward automation and a comprehensive digital transformation of government work. He added, "We believe in the possibility of establishing a distinct Iraqi industry, and we are proceeding with plans to establish an integrated industry that meets local needs."

LINK

NADER FROM MID EAST: Iraq finance and advisor, 21 APRIL

 NADER FROM MID EAST: Iraq finance and advisor

Highlights

Summary

On April 18, 2025, Ali Shaded highlighted significant delays in presenting the 2025 budget tables to the House of Representatives due to disputes regarding the tripartite budget law between the central government and the Kurdistan regional government. 

Shaded’s media office disclosed that disagreements could postpone the budget’s delivery further, compounded by ongoing declines in oil prices. He explained that these price drops could create challenges in reaching an agreement on budget deficits, especially as they were initially calculated based on optimistic oil price estimates. Shaded expressed that the government is primarily focused on fulfilling its financial commitments while navigating these budgetary hurdles. Although the shortage might not impact employee employment or retirement directly, it could result in delays to certain financial allocations such as bonuses.

• 📅 Delay in Budget Submission: The tripartite budget law’s disagreements are causing delays in presenting the 2025 budget to the House.
• 💰 Oil Prices Impact: Continuous decline in oil prices complicates reaching a consensus on the budget deficit, affecting financial planning.
• ⚖️ Government vs. Kurdistan Disputes: Sharp differences between the central government and Kurdistan regional government highlight ongoing financial tensions.
• 📉 Budget Deficit Concerns: The estimated budget deficit is based on previously optimistic oil price predictions, leading to challenges in fiscal management.
• 🏦 Financial Obligations Priority: The government remains focused on fulfilling mandatory financial obligations despite budgetary constraints.
• ⏳ Impact on Financial Dues: While employee jobs and pensions remain secure, some financial dues, such as bonuses, may face delays.
• 🤝 Call for Solutions: Shaded emphasizes the importance of prioritizing solutions over conflicting views on budgetary issues.

Key Insights

• ⚖️ Disagreement Between Governments: The chasm between the central government and the Kurdistan regional government creates a precarious fiscal environment. This disagreement underscores the need for collaborative policy-making efforts that can unify economic interests across regions within the country. As tensions mount, failure to reconcile these differences could lead to prolonged fiscal uncertainty, which would only exacerbate the situation as both sides grapple with economic demands.

• 📉 Volatile Oil Prices: The ongoing decline in oil prices significantly impacts revenue forecasts and budgetary planning. Oil remains a critical driver of the national economy, and fluctuations can severely limit the government’s ability to generate and allocate finances effectively. As oil prices fall, the government may need to revise its fiscal strategies, highlighting the necessity for diversified revenue streams that lessen reliance on hydrocarbons.

• 💡 Pressure on Budget Deficit Management: The projected budget deficit is based on oil price estimates that are proving overly optimistic in the current climate. This miscalculation reveals the fragile nature of budget planning and the importance of adopting more flexible and realistic forecasting approaches. Future budgetary documents must account for economic variability, potentially incorporating broader parameters for determining expected revenues.

• 🏦 Employee Security Amidst Fiscal Strain: While the concerns about budget shortfalls loom large, it’s notable that employment and retirement benefits for public employees appear to be safeguarded. This could foster a greater degree of job security among government workers, which in turn can bolster public morale. However, attention should still be paid to ensure that operational funding does not inadvertently derail public services critical to societal welfare.

• ⏳ Potential Delays in Financial Dues: The likelihood of delays in various financial dues suggests a possible strain on public services and morale, especially concerning bonuses. These delays could affect government employees’ livelihood, making it essential for the government to communicate transparently about financial planning strategies and how they intend to address these delays within the framework of existing fiscal constraints.

• 💬 Focus on Solutions Over Conflict: Shaded’s assertion that the government seeks to prioritize solutions over conflicting viewpoints is a crucial development. This proactive approach may create pathways for dialogue and compromise between differing political entities. Initiating solutions-focused discussions can lead to conclusive agreements that bolster political stability in financial planning.

• 🌐 Need for Comprehensive Financial Analysis: The current situation highlights the necessity for comprehensive financial analysis and ongoing monitoring of economic indicators. By leveraging accurate and timely data, the government can better navigate fiscal challenges and make informed decisions to optimize available resources. This could include revising expenditure strategies and investing in areas that yield higher returns regardless of oil price fluctuations.

In conclusion, the information provided by Ali Shaded signals underlying complexities associated with budget planning and implementation in an economically volatile environment. The intersection of varying political interests, fluctuating commodity prices, and stringent fiscal responsibilities demands a collaborative and flexible approach for policymakers looking to implement sustainable financial strategies. By engaging in dialogic processes that prioritize resolution, it is possible to navigate these challenges and pave the way for more resilient governance structures moving forward.

BANK STORY FROM MARKZ: "IQD values are going kooky…!! "‪@DINARREVALUATION‬ #iraqidinarinvestor

 

FRANK26: "SUDANI & BARZANI = SECURITY & STABILITY!!!", 21 APRIL

 KTFA

FRANK26: "SUDANI & BARZANI = SECURITY & STABILITY!!!"......F26

Political researcher: Relations between Baghdad and Erbil have evolved under al-Sudani - Urgent

 

4/17/2025

 - Baghdad

Relations between Baghdad and Erbil have been marked by periods of stagnation and tension over the past few years. However, under the Al-Sudani government, they have taken a different course, translated into agreements that have contained disagreements and limited their intensity. However, some outstanding issues remain that require further dialogue and mutual trust between the two sides. 

Political researcher Jumaa Mohammed Karim commented on Thursday (April 17, 2025) on the possibility of saying that the relationship between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government has reached advanced stages during the era of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Mohammed Karim said in an interview with Baghdad Today that “al-Sudani is known as a prime minister who seeks solutions, not problems, and wants to create stability through which his government can operate and succeed.”
He added that "the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil has witnessed major developments during the Sudanese era, and many complex contentious issues have been resolved, most notably the issue of employee salaries and the issue of internal revenues, including border revenue crossings."
He pointed out that "this is credited to al-Sudani's government, which was able to resolve complex issues through the law and technical procedures, and the government did not listen to political statements on this issue."

Bilateral relations between Baghdad and Erbil have entered a new phase of rapprochement following several reciprocal visits between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and leaders of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, where disputed issues were discussed.

In this regard, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, in his speech at the Ninth Sulaymaniyah Conference, affirmed Erbil's unwavering commitment to the Iraqi Constitution as a framework for regulating this relationship. He considered the Constitution, with its principles of federalism, pluralism, and partnership, to be the true guarantor of the rights of all components of Iraq without discrimination.

He added that "the recent period has witnessed remarkable progress in resolving the issues between Erbil and Baghdad, thanks to the commendable efforts of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani," considering that "the latter's vision has contributed to strengthening the common ground and reducing differences, and is a sound vision for a solution."

The salary crisis and oil exports through the region remain major points of contention between Baghdad and Erbil. Despite the announcement of agreements to address these crises, no comprehensive solutions have been found to date. 

LINK

RECENT NEWS ABOUT IRAQ'S ACCESION PROCESS TO THE WTO!!, 21 APRIL

RECENT NEWS ABOUT IRAQ'S ACCESION PROCESS TO THE WTO

 After a 16-year hiatus, Iraq officially resumed its accession negotiations in July 2024, marking a significant milestone in its integration into the multilateral trading system.​

🗓️ Recent timeline of the process

January 2024: The Chairman of the WTO Working Party visited Baghdad, the first WTO delegation to do so since 2004. During this visit, Iraq's commitment to accession was reaffirmed and the work of Iraq's National Accession Committee was highlighted.OMC

February 2024: Iraq participated for the first time in 20 years in the WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi. Trade Minister Atheer Al-Ghurairi highlighted the completion of trade files on goods and services as part of the requirements for accession. OMC+3ina.iq+3ina.iq+3

April 2024: Iraq completed and officially submitted its initial market access offers for goods and services to the WTO, a key step in the accession process. ​OMC

July 2024: The third meeting of the Iraq Accession Working Party was held in Geneva, the first in 16 years. Minister Al-Ghurairi expressed that the accession will contribute to economic growth and the integration of Iraq into the global economy. ​ina.iq+3OMC+3iraqnewsgazette.com+3

✅ Next steps

The fourth meeting of the Working Group is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2025, depending on progress on the established steps. In addition, the WTO and international organizations have offered technical assistance to support Iraq in aligning its trade policies with international standards. WTO

This progress reflects Iraq's commitment to economic reform and its desire to strengthen international cooperation.​

TRANSLATION IN SPANISH 

Sí, hay noticias recientes sobre el proceso de adhesión de Irak a la Organización Mundial del Comercio (OMC). Después de una pausa de 16 años, Irak reanudó oficialmente sus negociaciones de adhesión en julio de 2024, marcando un hito significativo en su integración al sistema comercial multilateral.​

🗓️ Cronología reciente del proceso

• Enero de 2024: El presidente del Grupo de Trabajo de la OMC visitó Bagdad, la primera delegación de la OMC en hacerlo desde 2004. Durante esta visita, se reafirmó el compromiso de Irak con la adhesión y se destacó el trabajo del Comité Nacional para la Adhesión de Irak.  ​OMC

• Febrero de 2024: Irak participó por primera vez en 20 años en la Conferencia Ministerial de la OMC en Abu Dabi. El ministro de Comercio, Atheer Al-Ghurairi, destacó la finalización de los archivos de comercio de bienes y servicios como parte de los requisitos para la adhesión. ​OMC+3ina.iq+3ina.iq+3

• Abril de 2024: Irak completó y presentó oficialmente sus ofertas iniciales de acceso al mercado de bienes y servicios a la OMC, un paso clave en el proceso de adhesión. ​OMC

• Julio de 2024: Se celebró la tercera reunión del Grupo de Trabajo sobre la adhesión de Irak en Ginebra, la primera en 16 años. El ministro Al-Ghurairi expresó que la adhesión contribuirá al crecimiento económico y a la integración de Irak en la economía global. ​ina.iq+3OMC+3iraqnewsgazette.com+3

✅ Próximos pasos

Se espera que la cuarta reunión del Grupo de Trabajo se lleve a cabo en el primer trimestre de 2025, dependiendo del progreso en los pasos establecidos. Además, la OMC y organizaciones internacionales han ofrecido asistencia técnica para apoyar a Irak en la alineación de sus políticas comerciales con las normas internacionales. ​OMC

Este avance refleja el compromiso de Irak con la reforma económica y su deseo de fortalecer la cooperación internacional.​