TNT:

CandyKisses:  Iraq talks again about electrical interconnection with Saudi Arabia

Baghdad - Iraq Today:

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani discussed with the Minister of Trade in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Majid Al-Qasabi and his accompanying delegation several files, including the completion of the electrical interconnection between the two countries.

A government statement said that it "received Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani, Minister of Trade in Saudi Arabia Majid Al-Qasabi and his accompanying delegation."

During the meeting, according to the statement, they "discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, ways to enhance joint cooperation, and stressed the importance of concerted efforts to reduce tension and crises facing the region, and the need to continue joint efforts to stop the war on Gaza as soon as possible, and open humanitarian corridors for the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid."

He added, "The meeting witnessed a discussion of coordination procedures between Iraq and Saudi Arabia to hold the sixth session of the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council, and follow-up the implementation of the outputs of the previous session in accordance with the competence of each subcommittee, including the political, security and military committee during the coming period, and determine the date of its convening in coordination between the ministries of foreign affairs of the two countries, as well as discuss the completion of electrical interconnection according to the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries, and follow up the executive minutes of the principles of electrical interconnection through the relevant technical committee. "

Al-Sudani praised "the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the success of the Hajj ceremonies, and praised the level of services provided to Iraqi pilgrims," and stressed "the importance of reviewing Iraq's share next year, based on the population percentage approved in United Nations statistics."

For his part, Al-Qasabi conveyed "the greetings of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud to the Prime Minister," stressing "his government's aspiration to expand the horizons of constructive cooperation, in various fields, in a way that contributes to strengthening relations between Baghdad and Riyadh, and achieving the interests of the peoples of the two countries."

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CandyKisses:  The government announces monitoring. 13 billion dinars to support culture and arts

Baghdad - Iraq Today:

Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani confirmed that his government has allocated more than 13 billion dinars to support culture and arts.

The Prime Minister's Media Office said in a statement that "Al-Sudani received a group of Iraqi plastic artists and sculptors on the occasion of Eid al-Adha."

Al-Sudani pointed out that "art has flourished historically in Iraq since ancient civilizations, and the cultural connection of plastic art has not been interrupted in subsequent eras, which is embodied in the important drawings left by the Iraqi artist," noting that "Iraqi plastic art is a pioneer in the Arab world, and this size and weight of artistic civilization makes the task of plastic artists and sculptors doubled, because they are the heirs of all civilizations makers in this land."

"The importance of establishing a museum of Iraqi plastic art in Baghdad," he said, noting that "Iraq has gone through stages in which the treasures of contemporary Iraqi art were looted, and we have worked to restore many of them."

He pointed out that "the government allocated 13 billion for various types of arts," stressing "the importance of holding conferences and cultural activities, because of the need of the cultural sector and in order to introduce the reality of Iraq, and the government will take care of them."

"At the request of the president of the Arab League, the Iraqi pavilion in the Arab League was awarded 15 paintings by Iraqi artists," he said

The Prime Minister explained that "Iraq is on the right track at all levels, and the national service government has a clear picture based on a well-thought-out government program that represents an essential step to build trust between the political system and the people," stressing his approval of "a set of proposals submitted by the delegation of plastic artists and artists, regarding interest in plastic art, and its support by ministries and government institutions, and promised to form a committee to follow up on the requirements of the proposals and work to implement them."

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Tishwash: Behind the scenes of an exciting session of merchants and restaurant owners who “invested” in the exchange rate difference in Iraq

A lengthy report by the American newspaper “The National” reviewed the scenes of investing in the exchange rate difference in Iraq, where businessmen, merchants, and restaurant owners benefited by operating their money in this trade, by withdrawing the dollar from the central bank and selling it on the black market, which achieved huge and rapid profits in this way, However, the recent actions of the Central Bank caused problems between these partners due to losses.

The report, translated by “Baghdad Today,” says, “Despite recent efforts for reforms, challenges remain, and well-connected businessmen are still exploiting loopholes in the foreign currency sales window managed by the Central Bank of Iraq to make obscene amounts of money.” From the margin between the official exchange rate and the black market rate.

The National spoke to dozens of businessmen who said the strict measures had helped simplify the import process and forced many to formalize their transactions, but they said there was still room for manipulation.

One of the businessmen said: “There are still ways to circumvent the procedures,” adding that  “falsifying invoices and arrangements at border crossings and manipulating the prices of goods by setting inflated prices by exporters are among the common methods.”

In a room decorated with intricate tapestries and ornate tapestries, The National attended a tense meeting of businessmen, their faces etched with a mixture of frustration and resignation.

They have banded together to resolve a months-long financial crisis that has escalated beyond the bounds of legality, plunging them into the murky waters of clan diplomacy.

By accessing a government-run platform offering US dollars at the official rate, a businessman lured other traders with a deal promising them huge profits from the spread between official and black market rates, sources involved told The National.

With hundreds of millions of Iraqi dinars in circulation, traders received unexpected cash gains. But as the days and months passed, the businessman found himself unable to pay his debts, leaving the merchants in a precarious situation.

No official complaint was filed against him, and the businessman did not face any trial.

“It is clear that we have reached an impasse,” a representative of the businessman who lives in a neighboring country told the audience, who exchanged wary glances. "We can't continue down this path. It's time to cut our losses."

His proposal hung in the air, and was met with hesitant votes of approval.

Giving up half of the two billion Iraqi dinars was a bitter pill to swallow, but it seemed the only viable option in the face of mounting losses and uncertainty.

The owner of a famous restaurant chain in Baghdad told The National newspaper after the meeting: “We say that whoever loses half his money is not a loser.”

“At least I have half my capital in my hands – better than nothing,” he said.

“There is no business that allows you to hit the jackpot like taking advantage of the exchange rate margin in a short period of time, which is why we invested heavily with him.

He added: "Over the past months, he has been paying us on time, but it seems that he has been having problems recently."  link

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Mot .... Finally  

Mot.... Dang ! -- Beeeeee Careful out dare!!!