“Tidbits From TNT” Sunday 9-22-2024
TNT:
Tishwash: Kurdistan deposits about 100 billion dinars of non-oil revenues into the Iraqi state treasury
The Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Region announced on Sunday the deposit of an amount of money amounting to about 100 billion dinars in financial revenues for non-oil revenues for last May.
The ministry said in a statement today that it deposited an amount of 91 billion, 151 million, and 784 thousand Iraqi dinars to the federal government as the federal treasury's share of the non-oil revenues of the Kurdistan Region for the month of May of this year. link
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Tishwash: yet another article about removing the 3 zeros? hmm
What does it mean to reduce dependence on the dollar and remove zeros from the dinar?
Countries remove zeros from their currency to revalue the national currency and simplify financial transactions. This is done by removing a specific number of zeros from the nominal value of the currency, making it appear less inflationary and more stable. This is how the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, summarized the issue.
Al-Alaq confirmed yesterday the reduction of reliance on the US dollar in commercial transactions, adding that the project to delete zeros in Iraq is subject to continuous review and study at the bank.
Al-Alaq said, in a statement followed by the “Iraq Observer” agency, that “the Central Bank responded to global economic challenges such as rising energy and raw material prices, by amending some monetary policies in line with the international situation and to enhance confidence in the Iraqi dinar and prevent a sharp decline in its value.”
He added, "The Central Bank of Iraq has increased its holdings of foreign exchange and gold reserves to strengthen the country's financial position and financial stability in order to enhance its ability to confront potential economic crises."
Local bank accounts
Regarding the steps taken to address the dollar’s rising crisis, Al-Alaq said, “The Central Bank of Iraq has created new mechanisms to cover local banks’ accounts with their senders in other currencies (Chinese yuan, Indian rupee, euro, and UAE dirham) in addition to the dollar, which has reduced reliance on the US currency in commercial transactions for these banks’ clients, while the Central Bank seeks to withdraw excess liquidity in the economy that puts pressure on the exchange rate and to prevent the exported currency from growing in an undesirable manner.”
Regarding the country's foreign reserves, the Central Bank Governor explained that "foreign exchange reserves are the tool used by all central banks to maintain the stability of the local currency exchange rate against foreign currencies, as well as to reduce exposure to external crises by maintaining liquidity in foreign currency to absorb shocks in times of crisis."
“According to the latest data on the level of foreign reserves adequacy, the Central Bank of Iraq’s foreign reserves cover 83.62% of the broad money supply, i.e. covering the cost of importing 15 months, while the global standard rate is 20%, covering 6 months of importing,” according to Al-Alaq.
He pointed out that "the sanctions imposed on banks are related to the decision to ban dealing in dollars, as the banks were not included in the sanctions list issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, and therefore the banks' activities continue, according to the applicable procedures and in all currencies except the dollar."
Regarding the situation of the Iraqi banking sector, Al-Alaq said that it “is experiencing a state of stability, as government banks still control approximately 79% of the assets of the total banking sector, compared to 21% for private banks.”
Private sector
While observers believe that the development road project needs 5 years to complete, they pointed out that Iraq will end the unemployment problem and provide jobs for graduates and the unemployed alike.
They said: “The most important thing is for Iraq to move away from the rentier economy that has frozen other sectors despite the abundance of local production and the wheel of reconstruction turning in all of Iraq, which means that the government is taking the right step in diversifying sources of income.”
Economic expert Abdul Rahman Al-Shaikhli said: “Our economy will not see the light of day as long as its two components, “oil and monetary,” are held hostage by the US Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank. He considered that in order not to jump over the reality, we must look at things as they are, without hanging them on any scapegoat of truth.”
Al-Sheikhly told the “Iraq Observer” agency: “In order to get rid of this dominance, we must work on diversifying the sources of funding for the budget, giving free rein to the “clean” private sector, and limiting economic activities “financial and monetary” to honest hands under strict supervision, especially Iraq’s revenues from customs, taxes and fees, and preventing their exploitation by the corrupt.”
The financial and economic expert explained: “All of this is possible and it is possible to reform our economic system naturally if we can get rid of foreign hegemony.”
Keeping up with developments
On the sidelines of the electronic payment conference in the middle of this month: “The Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Al-Alaq, confirmed that the number of applicants to establish digital banks “exceeded 70 banks,” noting that “digital banks are widely spread in the world and the volume of financial transactions in them is around 5 trillion dollars annually.”
Al-Alaq said: “Digital banks are widespread in the world, and their volume of funds ranges from 5 to 7 trillion annually.”
He added: “We conducted in-depth studies until we reached the point of setting rules for licensing these digital banks.”
He pointed out: “We were surprised by the number of applicants to digital banks, which reached 60 to 70 banks, and we are in the process of studying the applicants’ requests.”
He continued: “We are keeping up with developments and moving towards progress, and there is communication with many external and internal parties, and it is on two levels that depend on the banking sector and the capabilities of the Central Bank to keep up with development and contribute to developing various programs and applications,” stressing that “the Iraqi cadre is distinguished by its ability to adapt and develop.”
He pointed out that “the Central Bank has important contracts with specialized companies, and chooses international companies to develop and set up programs, in addition to international cooperation,” noting that “the Central Bank has effective relations with international and global banks, in addition to electronic payment companies, as well as its relationship with central banks, and it has continuous movement in cooperation with important banks.” link
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Tishwash: Prime Minister arrives in New York
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani arrived in New York.
The Prime Minister's Media Office stated in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani arrived in New York to participate in the meetings of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly."
The Prime Minister's Media Office stated in a statement issued earlier that the Prime Minister will deliver Iraq's speech before the General Assembly, and will also deliver a speech at the Future Summit, in which many heads of state and presidents will participate, and which is concerned with enhancing cooperation, facing challenges, and affirming commitments.
He continued, "He will also hold a series of meetings and dialogues with a number of leaders and presidents of sisterly and friendly countries, and heads of participating delegations, in addition to meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and a number of officials of international and UN organizations and bodies." link
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Tishwash: On the eve of his departure to New York, Al-Sudani de-escalates tensionswith 3 meetings with the leaders of the “Framework ”
The Prime Minister will hold meetings with world leaders and present his government's achievements.
It seems that Mohammed Al-Sudani, the Prime Minister, has greatly eased the tensions at home after holding meetings with the leaders of the “Coordination Framework” on the eve of his departure from New York to attend the United Nations meetings for the second time since he assumed power about two years ago.
The "framework" media opposing Al-Sudani, which was active during the past month, has clearly declined, attacking the Prime Minister against the backdrop of the alleged wiretapping case, according to the government's description, and the escape of Nour Zuhair, the main accused in what is known as the "theft of the century."
The Prime Minister's media office stated in a statement yesterday that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani left the capital, Baghdad, heading to New York, to participate in the meetings of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly."
The media office stated in an earlier statement, the day before yesterday, that "the Prime Minister will deliver Iraq's speech before the General Assembly, and will also deliver a speech at the Future Summit, in which many heads of state and presidents participate, and which is concerned with enhancing cooperation, confronting challenges, and affirming commitments.”
He continued, “Al-Sudani will hold a series of meetings and dialogues with a number of leaders and presidents of brotherly and friendly countries, and heads of participating delegations, in addition to a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and a number of officials of international and UN organizations and bodies."
The region has been experiencing tension for about a year due to the war in Gaza, and the expansion of mutual strikes between factions and Western interests in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
The day before yesterday, Abu Alaa al-Walaei pledged to send 100,000 fighters to the Lebanese border, coinciding with the killing of a leader in one of the Iraqi factions in Syria.
Al-Walaei, a leader in the “Framework” and the head of the “Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades” faction, said in a message published by the media, “A flood of Iraqi human beings will come, crowding the borders and trenches of Lebanon. If Hezbollah loses a thousand martyrs, we will supply it with a hundred thousand heroes.”
On Friday, leaders from Hezbollah were killed in an Israeli raid in Beirut, while before that, a series of small explosions hit the party's communications devices in Lebanon.
Yesterday, the Hezbollah Brigades announced the killing of Abu Haidar al-Khafaji “in an Israeli attack while performing his duties as a security advisor in Damascus,” according to a statement by the Brigades reported by media outlets close to the Lebanese Hezbollah.
According to some information, al-Sudani's visit to New York is expected to witness Baghdad's confirmation of its firm position on "protecting American diplomats," as the government has so far succeeded in maintaining the truth between the factions and Washington since last February.
Baghdad is preparing next year, according to Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi, to begin the US withdrawal from Iraq, over two years and in two phases.
In contrast, American media outlets are talking about the possibility of a “small advisory force” remaining after 2026 to assist US forces in Syria, while there is no confirmation from the Pentagon yet on the withdrawal plan. Internal de-escalation:
Al-Sudani sent reassuring messages to his allies in the “Coordination Framework,” according to political affairs researcher Ali Al-Baydar.
On the eve of his departure to New York, Al-Sudani held meetings with Qais Khazali, Haider al-Abadi, and Hadi al-Amiri.
Over the past month, the government has faced severe Shiite criticism due to the “wiretapping” and “Nour Zuhair” crises.
Al-Baydar said in a phone call with (Al-Mada) that “the meetings in a tense climate regionally and internally are important to resolve crises.”
Speaking about the recent meetings, he added: “The prime minister did not want to leave the country while it is in crisis, or he wanted to prevent the problems from worsening before leaving for New York.”
Official statements after Al-Sudani’s three meetings with the leaders of the “Coordination Framework” confirmed the completion of the government’s programs.
Leaks had spoken of “strictness” from Nouri al-Maliki, the leader of the State of Law, due to the “wiretapping” case, regarding removing Al-Sudani from his position or holding early elections.
Regarding the timing of those meetings, Al-Baydar said: “It may be because the prime minister informed the leaders of the framework of the program for the visit to New York, or the leaders asked him for some recommendations.”
The political researcher believes that some leaders may have had “private messages or views on foreign relations that they shared with Al-Sudani.”
Al-Baydar considered that the situation inside the country is now “moving towards calm,” indicating that Al-Sudani “has the ability to transform any crisis into a rapprochement plan.”
Efforts to reduce tension within the Shiite alliance appeared clear, as the intensity of the rhetoric of some news platforms affiliated with the “framework” decreased during the last two days.
In New York,
Ghazi Faisal, a former diplomat, believes that Al-Sudani will present the fundamental positions of Iraqi foreign policy at the annual UN General Assembly meetings, especially with regard to the war that has been going on since last October.
He added in an interview with Al-Mada that "Al-Sudani will emphasize Iraq's firm position on stopping the war in Gaza, and moving to guarantee the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, to build a stable state, and to return to the 1967 borders."
"He will certainly talk about the importance of building security and peace in the Middle East and enhancing regional cooperation and economic integration, which Iraq emphasized at the Baghdad International Regional Conference 1 and 2, which formed the basis for security and political cooperation between Iraq and Its geographical neighbors, in addition to Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf, and the relationship with Turkey in the field of water, environment, desertification and the path of strategic development,” Faisal added.
Faisal, who runs the Iraqi Center for Strategic Studies, also expected that Al-Sudani would explain in the New York meetings "the nature of what the government has achieved in confronting financial corruption and organized crime and stabilizing the currency, and the government's measures to confront a wide range of internal security and political challenges.” link
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Mot: ... So Frustrating It Is Too!!!!
Mot: . Have a Very ~~~~~
