Author: Amr Salem
The Kurdistan Regional Government Sends $65 Million to Baghdad Today, the Ministry of Finance of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced that it had transferred approximately 85 billion dinars (around $65 million) in domestic income to the federal government in Baghdad. This significant payment, representing half of Iraqi Kurdistan’s customs and tariff earnings for February 2024, was made in cash into the Federal Ministry of Finance’s bank account at the Central Bank of Iraq’s Erbil branch. The transfer of funds follows a decision from the Supreme Federal Court of Iraq, requiring the KRG to provide Baghdad with access to all…
Recently, Lieutenant General Lucas Schreurs of the Netherlands took over as the new commander of NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) in a ceremony held in Baghdad. He succeeded Lieutenant General Jose Antonio Aguero Martinez, who had been leading the mission since May 2023. Schreurs expressed his honor and privilege in leading the NMI, emphasizing the mission’s goal of building safety and security in Iraq. He highlighted the importance of empowering advisors to meet the needs of Iraqi counterparts with guidance and support. Martinez stressed the vital role of NATO advisors who possess specialized expertise and maintain close communication with Iraqi counterparts.…
Iraqi Prime Minister proposes ending UNAMI mission due to political and security stability The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, has justified his government’s proposal to terminate the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to the UN Security Council by citing the country’s political and security stability. During a meeting with the Special Representative of the US Secretary-General for Iraq, Al-Sudani highlighted the progress Iraq has made in infrastructure reconstruction, economic reform, and the capabilities of the armed forces. The Iraqi government believes that UNAMI, established in 2003, is no longer necessary and has requested its mission to end…
Transforming Baghdad International Airport: A Step Towards Economic Growth In an effort to modernize and enhance operations at Baghdad International Airport, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has entered the final stages of the airport’s development plan. The Iraqi Ministry of Transport has been actively involved in supervising this transformation, emphasizing the importance of providing quality services to travelers. The planned upgrades for Baghdad International Airport take into consideration the expected rise in passenger numbers, ensuring that the airport is equipped to meet this demand. This initiative signifies a significant milestone in Iraq’s journey towards sustainable development and economic growth. By…
Investing in Iraq: Prime Minister Launches Plate Glass Factory in Najaf The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, recently laid the foundation stone for a plate glass factory in Najaf with a production capacity of 800 tons per day. This is just one of several projects launched in Najaf at a total cost of 555.808 billion Iraqi dinars. Aside from the plate glass factory, Al-Sudani also initiated ten transportation and sewage projects in the region. He emphasized the government’s support for the private sector and its commitment to facilitating significant projects in the housing and construction sectors. Al-Sudani highlighted the…
Iraq Receives Wounded Palestinians for Treatment The Iraqi Ministry of Health has welcomed 27 wounded Palestinians from the Gaza Strip who have arrived in Iraq for medical treatment. These individuals were brought in by a military aircraft from Egypt as part of the ‘Help Gaza’ campaign initiated by the Iraqi government. Upon their arrival, ambulances transported the wounded and their companions to hospitals across the country. Undersecretary Hani Musa Al-Aqabi and a team of paramedics were on hand to receive the injured individuals, who mostly consist of elderly, women, and children. The Iraqi government’s decision to assist Palestinian medical cases…
Condolences Offered by Iraqi PM Al-Sudani to Iran’s Supreme Leader In a show of solidarity and support, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran to offer condolences for the tragic deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Al-Sudani expressed profound sympathies on behalf of the Iraqi government and people for the loss of the Iranian officials and praised Raisi’s efforts in promoting collaboration and peace in the region. Khamenei, in turn, emphasized the strong relations between Iran and Iraq and thanked Al-Sudani for his condolences and sympathy.…
Ukrainian President Invites Iraqi Prime Minister to Peace Summit The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has extended an official invitation to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, to participate in the upcoming Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland on June 15 and 16. During a phone call between Al-Sudani and Zelenskyy, discussions included bilateral relations between Iraq and Ukraine, the importance of a joint committee to strengthen trade and economic cooperation, and collaboration in energy and food security. Ukrainian companies operating in Iraq were also a topic of conversation, with a focus on creating an investment-friendly environment. The summit, which will…
Iraqi President Emphasizes Strategic Alliance with NATO The Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, recently highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation and the strategic alliance with NATO in advising and strengthening the military and combat capabilities of the Iraqi security forces during a meeting with NATO officials. Major General Cas Schreurs, the new force commander of the NATO Mission in Iraq, outlined his extensive military background, including serving as a battalion commander and holding various key positions within the defense sector. Rashid commended the Iraqi security forces for their ability to address security challenges effectively, including counter-terrorism efforts and maintaining stability…
Iraq Repays $8 Billion in Loans to IMF Since 2003 Recently, Mazhar Salih, the financial advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, confirmed that Iraq has successfully repaid all the loans it took from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 2003, totaling just under $8 billion. This repayment reflects Iraq’s commitment to financial stability and reform. Over the years, Iraq received various financial programs from the IMF, including emergency loans and long-term assistance, to support macroeconomic stability and economic reforms. In 2016, a $5.34 billion financial program was approved to aid economic reforms in Iraq, with full repayment made within five…