Iraq “Census News” posted by Frank26 and Clare at KTFA 11-20-2024

KTFA:

Frank26:  "IF SO... THEN THERE IS A NEW EXCHANGE RATE.".......F26

 Finance: Salaries may be funded after census holiday

 11/17/2024

An informed source confirmed, today, Sunday, that the Accounting and Budget Department in the Ministry of Finance is currently working to complete the process of financing the salaries of employees in government institutions.

The source told Al Furat News Agency that "if the work is completed, salaries will be released tomorrow, but it is most likely that this will be done after the census holiday, with work continuing on Fridays and Saturdays as usual during the salary funding release periods." 

From.. Raghad   LINK

Clare:  Iraq census curfew begins

11/19/2024

The curfew for the population census begins in Iraq.

The spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier General Muqdad al-Moussawi, announced that the comprehensive curfew, as part of the general preparation process for the population and housing, will begin at midnight (12:00) on the 19th and end at midnight (12:00) on the 21st of this month.

The Supreme Security Committee for the Population Census also confirmed that the curfew will take effect at midnight on the 19th and 20th of November at 2:400, i.e. 12 midnight, and will continue until 2:400 on the 21st and 22nd of November, including the governorates of the Kurdistan Region.

It indicated that the movement of citizens, vehicles and trains will be restricted when the curfew enters into effect between governorates, districts and sub-districts, between urban and rural areas, and between sub-districts and sub-districts and vice versa, except for humanitarian cases, extreme necessity, and what is imposed by security, natural and climatic conditions.    LINK

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Clare:  Al-Sudani: We are living a historic day with the population census

11/20/2024

 Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani during his visit to the headquarters of the Ministry of Planning, the General Authority for Statistics and Geographic Information Systems to follow up on the progress of the implementation of the general population census:

We congratulate all the people on this entitlement that has been suspended for ages, and today is historic. 

We are living a historic day with the population census.

 Census lays the foundation for a new Iraq

 Religious authorities of all religions urged participation in the census.

 We have completed a modern census.

Population census is a process whose goal is purely developmental.

 We thank citizens for their cooperation and urge them to continue with the meters.  LINK

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Clare:  Prime Minister's Advisor: National development plans depend on census results

11/20/2024 Baghdad

The Prime Minister's Financial Advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, confirmed today, Wednesday, that the population census data will direct government investments to improve infrastructure and services, while indicating that national development plans will depend on the census results.

The Prime Minister's Advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, said in an interview with the Iraqi News Agency, which was followed by "Al-Eqtisad News", that "the population census represents a basic strategic tool for achieving sustainable economic growth in Iraq."

He stressed that "the data resulting from this census will contribute to improving government administration, enhancing governance levels, as well as supporting investment and increasing the efficiency of resource use to achieve comprehensive economic development."

Saleh pointed out that “the comprehensive population census provides many essential axes that contribute to achieving these goals, the most prominent of which are:

1. The census helps identify areas that suffer from a lack of services and infrastructure, which directs government investments to improve these sectors, as these investments include water services, roads, electricity, schools, hospitals, and banks.

2. The census provides a detailed database for drawing up effective housing policies.

3. Through detailed data on the workforce, the government can develop policies to support employment, train workers, and stimulate productive sectors to serve the national economy.

4. The comprehensive population census allows for the collection of accurate information on the population size, its geographical distribution, age groups, and educational level, in addition to its contribution to helping the government and the private sector plan better, and determine economic priorities and optimal policies within national development plans, especially the 2024-2028 development plan.   LINK

FRANK26….11-19-24……NEGATIVE…

KTFA

Tuesday Night Conference Call

FRANK26….11-19-24……NEGATIVE…

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank has stated he will no longer do public videos on the Iraqi dinar UNLESS it is Important, Prudent or Necessary.  

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

What Frank’s suit color’s mean…. FRANKS SUIT COLORS FOR CC'S..... WHITE = NEW INFO…. SILVER = INTEL FROZEN…. RED= HIGH ALERT… PURPLE=GUEST WITH US…. BLUE = AIR FORCE…. BLACK = GROUND/FF’S…. GREEN= MR OR FAB 4 ... GOLD = CHANGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yciUiKyoqgo

Some “Iraq News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 11-17-2024

KTFA:

Clare:  Urgent  Parliament Presidency sets date for resuming sessions

11/16/2024

The Parliament Presidency set, today, Friday, the date for resuming sessions next week after the completion of the population census operations in the country.

The media department of the House of Representatives stated in a statement received by {Euphrates News} that "the Presidency of the House of Representatives affirms its full support for conducting the general population and housing census 2024, and urges the representatives to direct and encourage citizens in their areas to cooperate with the field teams affiliated with the Ministry of Planning to accomplish their tasks with the aim of making the census operations that will be conducted on the 20th and 21st of this month a success." 

The statement confirmed, "Given the presence of representatives in their governorates and the importance of the census, it was decided to resume the sessions next week after the completion of the population census operations in the country."   LINK

Clare: Al-Sudani approves 35 new service projects to be attached to 2024 projects

11/16/2024

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani approved, on Saturday, adding dozens of new service projects to the 2024 projects in the capital, Baghdad, and other governorates.

This came during his chairmanship of the periodic meeting of the service and engineering effort team, according to a statement issued by Al-Sudani's media office.

The statement said that the meeting witnessed a review of the progress of the projects being implemented by the effort team, and the rates of achievement achieved in them. Approval was also given to 35 new service projects attached to the 2024 projects, which will begin implementation within 10 days in Baghdad and a number of governorates.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to complete the 2024 projects before the end of the year, noting that these projects must be implemented according to high standard technical specifications, in order to provide services to citizens in a qualitative and distinctive manner.  LINK

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Clare:  Industry confirms success by signing 4 investment contracts for strategic industries

11/16/2024 Baghdad

The Ministry of Industry and Minerals announced today, Wednesday, the launch of 256 investment opportunities through three conferences, while confirming the success of signing 4 investment contracts in strategic industries. 

The ministry's spokesperson, Dhuha Al-Jubouri, said in a statement received by "Mawazine News": "The Ministry of Industry held three conferences: the first was the Mineral Investment Conference in Baghdad under the patronage and attendance of the Prime Minister, during which 31 investment opportunities were launched. The second was the Industrial Partnerships Forum in the presence of the Prime Minister, during which 90 investment opportunities were launched. The third was the Baghdad International Forum for Industry and Mining, which was held a month ago, during which 135 investment opportunities were launched. 

" She added, "The ministry's vision regarding conferences is to present private investment opportunities in a transparent manner to the media in the presence of investors, businessmen and investment companies, in order to review all investment opportunities related to the Ministry of Industry and Minerals."

She added, "The submission of offers for these industrial opportunities is by investors, businessmen and investing companies, and the best is chosen after studying the offers," noting that "the ministry succeeded in signing a number of participation contracts on the basis of these conferences that it held in previous periods, and a number of participation contracts were signed for important strategic industries in the presence of the Prime Minister

 Including a contract to establish, rehabilitate and develop a refined sulfur production line in Nineveh Governorate for the Mishraq 1 field with a capacity of one and a half million tons annually of refined sulfur production, and a contract to produce the fertilizer project in Baiji and also Abu Al-Khaseeb fertilizers in Basra Governorate was signed, and a contract was signed for the glass and refractories construction project in Ramadi and the sodium carbonate production project, the foundation stone of which was laid this year with the expansion of the sodium and chlorine plant project in Al-Musayyab district in Babylon."

She stated that "these contracts came as a result of the conferences held by the ministry," explaining that "the offers presented at the last conference are under study and the best of them are being selected."   LINK

Clare:  Advance payment and tax benefits" .. This is how Turkmenistan will export gas to Iraq, the "rare customer"

11/16/2024

The Times of Central Asia reported on Saturday that Turkmenistan has signed what it described as a “binding agreement” for gas shipments to Iraq via Iran, after obtaining Iraq’s approval for an “advance payment plan and tax concessions.”

The newspaper pointed out in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency, the importance that Turkmenistan attaches to the agreement with Iraq, the "new and rare customer" that will import large quantities of gas from this country, which has the fourth largest gas reserves in the world.

The New York-based newspaper's report explained that Turkmenistan is reshaping its options for exporting natural gas, noting that despite its current ranking of 4th in the world, it is currently exporting a smaller quantity of gas than it did 16 years ago.

Mega projects

The report pointed out that the huge gas pipeline projects that were envisioned about 30 years ago, including the pipeline across Afghanistan to supply gas to Pakistan and India, and the pipeline across the Caspian Sea to transport gas to Europe, remain unfeasible for political reasons.

The report added that Russia was previously a major customer of Turkmen gas for most of the past three decades, but Moscow is now competing for some of the same potential buyers as Turkmenistan.

The report said that after Turkmenistan stumbled in its quest to find new markets, it now intends to sell gas to Iraq, by arranging a swap deal with Iran that includes bringing Iranian companies to Turkmenistan to build a new pipeline.

The report pointed out that while Turkmenistan was looking for new customers for gas, Iraq was not a potential buyer of gas until recently, noting that the Nabucco gas pipeline project, which has been stalled for about 15 years, had envisioned Iraq as a potential source of gas to Europe.

Interesting deal

The report described Turkmenistan's deal with Iraq as "interesting, and the only deal available for verification at the present time.

The report explained that since the two countries are not connected by any pipelines, Turkmenistan will ship up to 10 billion cubic meters of gas to Iran, which will in turn ship 10 billion cubic meters of Iranian gas to Iraq.

The report added that Turkmenistan signed what was described as a "binding agreement" for these gas shipments, after obtaining Iraq's approval for "an advance payment plan and tax concessions."

The report stated that about 40% of Iraq's gas imports in recent years came from Iran, indicating that the gas industry in Iraq is still in the recovery phase after years of war, and it needs imported gas to operate power plants in the country, noting that the sanctions imposed on Iran have made it difficult for Iraq to pay financial payments for this Iranian gas.

The report pointed out that there are two pipelines linking the gas fields in Turkmenistan to northern Iran. The first is the 200-kilometre-long Korbeji-Kordkuy pipeline, which was launched in 1997, and the second is the Dowlatabad-Sarakhs-Khanjiran pipeline, which was launched in January 2010.

However, the report explained that Turkmenistan was unable to ship the necessary quantity in the two lines, which have a combined capacity of 20 billion cubic meters. Its exports ranged between 6-8 billion cubic meters annually for years, while Tehran was paying for Turkmen gas through barter, exporting a range of goods, including food and engineering services to Turkmenistan.

The report stated that a dispute arose between the two countries in late 2016, as Turkmenistan claimed that Iran owed it about $2 billion for gas it received in the winter of 2007-2008, while Iran responded by saying that Turkmenistan was working to inflate the price.

The report explained that the winter of that year was extremely cold, which caused a severe shortage of gas in 20 Iranian provinces. Iranian media reported in December 2016 that “Turkmenistan exploited this situation to demand a 9-fold increase in the price, which led to the price rising to $360 from $40 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas.”

The report added that on January 1, 2017, Turkmenistan stopped gas supplies to Iran, and the two countries resorted to international arbitration, a case that was eventually settled in Turkmenistan's favor in June 2020.

The report indicated that Iranian and Turkmen officials are holding talks on gas, but after about 8 years, Turkmen gas exports to Iran have not resumed.

The report pointed out that shipping 10 billion cubic meters of gas from Turkmenistan to Iran requires maintenance and repair operations for the two damaged pipelines linking the two countries.

He added that officials from the two countries held a meeting in July 2024 to sign a gas transportation contract, an agreement that stipulates that “Iranian companies will establish a new 125-kilometer gas pipeline along with three gas pressure booster stations in Turkmenistan with the aim of increasing annual gas shipments to Iran to 40 billion cubic meters.”

According to the report, the Iranian companies participating in the project have not been identified, but this represents an exceptional step by Turkmenistan to allow foreign companies to implement such a project.

The report noted that increasing gas shipments to Iran to 40 billion cubic meters would require the construction of a new pipeline with a capacity of 20 billion cubic meters of gas, which would double the current total capacity of the two existing pipelines. It noted that another unclear issue is that only 10 billion cubic meters of this gas will go to Iraq, while the final destination of the remaining 30 billion cubic meters that Iran plans to import is not clear.

The report concluded that Turkmenistan is trying to sell gas to anyone interested, noting that among the countries mentioned by Turkmen officials as potential customers are Azerbaijan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, and the European Union, but in a vague manner, adding that China is currently the main buyer of Turkmenistan's gas, supplying it with about 35 billion cubic meters of gas.

He pointed out that Russia has significantly reduced its imports of Turkmen gas since 2009, and Russia has also become Turkmenistan's main competitor for regional customers, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are neighboring countries of Turkmenistan.

Afghanistan’s gas exports are also unlikely for now due to the lack of foreign investors. Turkmenistan also lacks the infrastructure to export its gas to Europe via Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

The report continued by saying that the 40 billion cubic meters referred to in the recent Iranian-Turkmen agreement could indicate that Iran will buy Turkmen gas again in the future, and in larger quantities than before, adding that the most secure deal that Turkmenistan can reach at the present time to increase its gas exports is the agreement with Iraq.

"It remains to be seen whether this swap arrangement, which includes Iran, can achieve the promised 10 billion cubic meters," he added.   LINK

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Clare:  Al-Alaq: 90% of Iraqi housing projects are funded by the Central Bank with 13 trillion dinar

11/16/2024

The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, confirmed on Saturday that 90% of housing projects in Iraq are financed by the bank, and have led to the activation of economic activity in the country, noting that the financing of housing, commercial and investment loans has reached 13 trillion dinars.

Al-Alaq said during his speech at the conference held by Al-Baidar Center for Studies under the title "Transition towards a flexible economy in Iraq", which was attended by Shafaq News Agency correspondent, that "there must be a comprehensive strategy that focuses on policies that create a real partnership between the public and private sectors and move to mobilize economic tools, whether in financial or economic policy."

He pointed out that "one of these tools is the state's general budget, which constitutes a fundamental pillar in determining the paths of the economy and growth and represents a real confrontation with the challenge," indicating that "the absence of planning has become a kind of challenge represented by the fact that flexibility in the spending aspect is limited, and this requires that there be an ability to cover actual and real spending."

He explained that "restructuring the budget is necessary because the state's public spending determines many paths and the shape of the different economic trends and confronts the changes that occur in this framework."

Al-Alaq pointed out that "the recent call by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to restructure the state ministries and their laws is aimed at addressing the role of the government and ministries and participation in the public and economic sector."

He stressed that "there is talk about resources that could generate revenues for the state, if there was real efficiency and effectiveness in generating revenues, and that there are many sources and opportunities to enhance those revenues," indicating that "the intensification with the change that occurs in oil prices leads to a decrease in the state's general budget revenues, and is reflected in the investment budget, and considering that the other part is represented by salaries and wages, the decrease in oil prices affects investments."

He explained that "monetary and fiscal policy constitute economic policy and there must be effective coordination between the two policies to reach acceptable results," stressing that "the preparation of the general budget must be a basic partner in shaping its features, and this matter is largely related to the function of the bank. For example, the size of the deficit has a direct impact on monetary policy and this must be studied directly."

Al-Alaq concluded by saying, “Supporting private sector financing should be a key partner with the government to implement the economic program in many sectors, and the Central Bank launched the initiative to finance residential, commercial and investment loans, and this number reached 13 trillion dinars to finance projects, as 90% of housing projects in Iraq are financed by the Central Bank and have led to the activation of economic activity in the country.”  LINK

FRANK26….11-15-24……SUDANI TALKS

KTFA

Friday Night Conference Call

FRANK26….11-15-24……SUDANI TALKS

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank has stated he will no longer do public videos on the Iraqi dinar UNLESS it is Important, Prudent or Necessary.  

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

What Frank’s suit color’s mean…. FRANKS SUIT COLORS FOR CC'S..... WHITE = NEW INFO…. SILVER = INTEL FROZEN…. RED= HIGH ALERT… PURPLE=GUEST WITH US…. BLUE = AIR FORCE…. BLACK = GROUND/FF’S…. GREEN= MR OR FAB 4 ... GOLD = CHANGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJaEiX39rMA

Some Iraq News Posted by Clare at KTFA 11-14-2024

 KTFA:

Clare:  Spain confirms cooperation with Iraq to establish Basra-Sharm El-Sheikh railway line

11/14/2024  Baghdad

Spain confirmed, on Thursday, its strong support for Iraq's strong return to the World Trade Organization and its efforts to do so, while indicating that cooperation with Iraq is not limited to railways, but rather in other fields and there are joint projects.

The Director General of International Trade and Investment in the Kingdom of Spain, Elisa Varela, said in a statement reported by the official news agency, and seen by "Al-Eqtisad News", that "there are very good companies in the field of railways, and we are cooperating with Iraq to extend the railway from Basra to Sharm El-Sheikh", noting that "we have a company working on connecting the railway between Najaf and Karbala, and we also have a company working in China that will carry out railway projects in other areas of Iraq in the near future".

She explained that "some of these projects are proposals, and there are signed agreements and cooperation in other areas, including facilitating transportation operations within Iraqi cities and facilitating the traffic situation in a good way so that it runs very smoothly".

She explained that "there are agreements to train Iraqis and sign other agreements that facilitate this aspect", noting that "we strongly support and promote Iraq's return to the World Trade Organization and we seek to do so".   LINK

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Clare:  Kurdistan Minister of Planning: The census that will decide the region’s share of the budget should not be politicized

11/14/2024

The Minister of Planning in the Kurdistan Regional Government, Dara Rashid, stressed on Thursday the necessity of not politicizing the population census scheduled to be conducted in all of Iraq on November 20 and 21, considering that this census will decide the region's share of the budget.

Rashid said in a press conference held today in Erbil, attended by Shafaq News Agency correspondent, that "the population census should not be politicized, and the rights of all other components in Iraq should be preserved," adding, "The decision of the Federal Council of Ministers regarding the census was not in accordance with what we demanded."

He added, "In the shortest time and with the least budget, we completed the necessary preparations to conduct the census," describing the Kurdistan Region's concerns about the census as "constitutional and legal."

Rashid also pointed out that the 1957 census will be the basis for the 2024 census, noting that the 1957 census will preserve the rights of all components.

The Minister called on the people of the region to cooperate in conducting the census, stressing that after the 21st of this month, no one can be registered in the census.

Rashid urged the residents of the areas covered by Article 140 of the Constitution (disputed) to go there and be present during the population census, noting that the Kurdistan Regional Government is providing facilities for the return of the residents of those areas to them during the census.

He went on to say that the population census will determine the region's share of the budget, which was reduced from 17% to nearly 12%, and that the population of the region, which has increased like the rest of Iraq, will become clear, noting that the census will increase Kurdistan's representation in parliament and the rest of the federal institutions and ministries.   LINK

Clare:  The Governor of the Central Bank meets his Turkish counterpart and the directors of some Turkish banks in Istanbul

November 14, 2024

His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, and his accompanying delegation met with his counterpart, the Governor of the Central Bank of Turkey, Mr. Fatih Karahan, in Istanbul.

The two parties discussed the launch of new direct mechanisms for trade transfers between Iraq and Turkey, marking the beginning of a new phase in strengthening banking relations between the two neighboring countries.
During the meeting, His Excellency the Governor stressed cooperation in the field of settlements for users of Iraqi cards in Turkey, and urged Turkish banks to open accounts for Iraqi banks to expand financing channels for importing goods and services from neighboring Turkey.

His Excellency added that the Turkish Central Bank supports the steps of the Central Bank of Iraq in organizing financial operations between the two countries in a way that contributes to facilitating trade transactions.

In a separate meeting, His Excellency the Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq and his accompanying delegation met with the general administrations of branches of Turkish banks operating in Iraq, stressing the need to expand fruitful trade options between the two countries, especially in the banking sector.

Central Bank of Iraq
Media Office
November 14, 2024

https://cbi.iq/news/view/2711

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Clare:  Al-Alaq urges Türkiye to open accounts for Iraqi banks

11/14/2024

The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, urged, on Wednesday, Turkish banks to open accounts for Iraqi banks to expand financing channels for importing goods and services between the two countries, stressing cooperation in the field of settlements for users of Iraqi cards in Türkiye.

This came during a meeting between Al-Alaq and the accompanying delegation with his counterpart, the Governor of the Central Bank of Turkey, Fatih Karahan, in Istanbul, according to a statement issued by the Central Bank of Iraq.

The statement said that the two parties discussed the launch of new direct mechanisms for trade transfers between Iraq and Turkey, marking the beginning of a new phase in strengthening banking relations between the two neighboring countries.

The statement quoted Al-Alaq as saying that the Turkish Central Bank supports the steps of the Iraqi Central Bank in regulating financial operations between the two countries in a way that contributes to facilitating commercial transactions.

In a separate meeting, Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq and his accompanying delegation met with the general administrations of the branches of Turkish banks operating in Iraq, stressing the need to expand fruitful trade options between the two countries, especially in the banking sector.  LINK

FRANK26….11-12-24…..FLIP THE SWITCH !!!

KTFA

Tuesday Night Conference Call

FRANK26….11-12-24…..FLIP THE SWITCH !!!

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank has stated he will no longer do public videos on the Iraqi dinar UNLESS it is Important, Prudent or Necessary.  

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

What Frank’s suit color’s mean…. FRANKS SUIT COLORS FOR CC'S..... WHITE = NEW INFO…. SILVER = INTEL FROZEN…. RED= HIGH ALERT… PURPLE=GUEST WITH US…. BLUE = AIR FORCE…. BLACK = GROUND/FF’S…. GREEN= MR OR FAB 4 ... GOLD = CHANGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whw2DqYvCuk

Some “Iraq News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 11-11-2024

KTFA:

Clare:  Planning: We will start the census next Thursday.. and the Ministry of Interior announces the start date of the curfew and those exempted from it

11/11/2024

The Ministry of Planning announced that it will begin conducting and implementing the population census starting next Thursday.

 The head of the Central Bureau of Statistics at the Ministry of Planning, Diaa Awad Kazim, said in a joint press conference with the Ministry of Interior: “The population census will continue until December 10, and the 20th and 21st of this month will be for the census of family members,” indicating that “the enumerators will visit families more than once, and the curfew will gradually be lifted from the areas where the census is being conducted.”

He pointed out that "the practical procedures for the population census will begin next Thursday," stressing that "there is no postponement of the population census and it includes all regions of Iraq and no region or governorate is exempted from it."

For his part, the spokesman for the Ministry of Planning, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, said: “820 thousand counters are participating in the population census. We will draw a new map of data in Iraq.”

He stressed, "We completed the requirements of the population census within a year and a few months, which is something that advanced countries are unable to do," noting that "the curfew is not for security reasons, but rather to implement the census accurately."

The spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Muqdad Miri, said, "The curfew for the population census begins at midnight on the 20th of this month and continues from the night of the 21st of the same month at 12 o'clock throughout Iraq."

He stressed that "the curfew includes the Kurdistan Region and any region where the census is being conducted will be lifted," stressing that "all Iraqi cities are fully secured to implement the population census."

He explained that "air traffic will be open to everyone, flight reservations will not be affected during the census ban, and trade exchange will continue."  LINK

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Clare:  The curfew begins at 12 midnight and will include Kurdistan.. New details regarding the population census

11/11/2024  Baghdad

Today, Monday, the Ministry of Interior set the date for the start of the curfew in  Iraq  for the purpose of conducting the population census, which falls on the 20th and 21st of this month, while revealing the entities exempted from the curfew.

The spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier General Muqdad Miri, said during the joint press conference between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Planning regarding the population census, "According to a royal order, the Supreme Security Committee for the Census was formed. It took several steps in all governorates and the region and provided protection for the cadres and devices used in the census and provided protection for the tablet centers."

 He pointed out that "the census will be on the 20th and 21st of this month, and there will be instructions for a curfew. First, the curfew timing will begin at midnight on November 19th on the 20th at 12 midnight."

 He added, "The movement of citizens, vehicles and trains between governorates, districts and sub-districts and between district centres is prohibited except in humanitarian cases and extreme circumstances."

He pointed out that "those authorized by the security authorities, the statistics directorates, the store manager, and the employees of the Ministry of Planning are allowed to move to work on the census, as well as authorized journalists who carry official badges."

It is clear that "another exception is for all those charged with duties and diggers from the health and service cadres," noting that "the exception is for the movement of immediate ambulances, traffic and rescue vehicles, and workers in embassies and United Nations organizations."

 For his part, the spokesman for the Ministry of Planning, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, said: “It was a big challenge to have the census electronically through tablets, communications devices and other equipment,” indicating that “more than 120,000 enumerators will participate in the census process.”

 He revealed, "The absence of a census created a large data gap, so this darkness that enveloped the scene will be illuminated through the census," adding, "We will draw a new map of the scene in Iraq that will be like a cat in the flesh to diagnose the problems existing there."

 Al-Hindawi said, "All our work takes a year and a few months, while there are censuses that take five years to prepare for," noting, "We have completed all preparations and are waiting for the 20th and 21st to start the census and impose a curfew throughout Iraq."

 He added: "Not providing data through families will produce an unclear picture, and we ask citizens to provide the correct information and prepare the required documents," noting that "our message to the citizen is not a security warning, but rather to have a stable picture to implement the census properly, and this is the history of Iraq."   LINK

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Clare:  The Minister of Trade discusses with the Mayor of Baghdad the development of joint cooperation and the exchange of views on the opening of hypermarket projects in the capital, Baghdad

11/10/2024

Minister of Trade Athir Dawood Al-Ghariri, accompanied by the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Economic Affairs Ghassan Farhan Hamid, visited the headquarters of the Baghdad Municipality today, Sunday, and met with its Secretary, Eng. Ammar Musa Kazim.

A statement by the Ministry's media office stated that "the meeting discussed developing joint cooperation and exchanging views on the hypermarket projects that the ministry will open soon in the capital, Baghdad, as well as the rehabilitation of the facades of its buildings that qualified them to add aesthetic features to Baghdad in addition to."

The statement indicated that "the meeting touched on the possibility of cooperation in allocating land to build a residential complex for employees of the Ministry of Trade."

The statement stressed that "the visit aimed to enhance coordination between the two parties in areas that contribute to improving the services provided to citizens, supporting the infrastructure and developing the business environment in Baghdad."  LINK

Clare:  Private banks' capital in Iraq increased by 7.3%

11/11/2024

The Central Bank of Iraq announced, on Monday, that the capital of private banks increased by 7.3%.

The bank said in a report seen by Shafaq News Agency that it recorded an increase in the total capital of private banks operating in Iraq during the first quarter of this year, by 7.3% to reach 19.2 trillion dinars, compared to 19.7 trillion dinars for the same period last year.

He pointed out that the capital of private banks operating in Iraq increased by 6%, while the capital of government banks increased by 11.1%.

He added that the contribution of private banks' capital amounted to 73.2%, while the contribution of government banks' capital amounted to 26.2%.

The bank explained that deposits in the first quarter of the current year increased by 1.2% to reach 123.7 trillion dinars compared to 122.2 trillion for the same period of the previous year, with current deposits increasing by 3.1% as a result of the increase in current expenditures from wages and salaries of employees in the public sector, while savings deposits decreased by 3%, and fixed deposits decreased by 10%.  LINK

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Clare:  Efforts to amend the {Accreditation Authority} law

11/11/2024  Baghdad: Shaima Rashid

The Parliamentary Planning Committee revealed efforts to amend the Iraqi Accreditation Commission Law (Law No. 78 of 2017) with the aim of granting the commission greater independence and linking it directly to the Council of Ministers.

Member of the Parliamentary Planning Committee, Mohammed Al-Baldawi, stated that “the Iraqi Accreditation Authority is one of the vital bodies that aims to enhance quality and accreditation standards in Iraq,” noting that “the authority is currently linked to the Ministry of Planning according to the current law, but the committee seeks to amend the law so that the authority becomes directly under the supervision of the Council of Ministers, which supports its independence.”

Al-Baldawi added, in his interview with Al-Sabah, that “the Iraqi Accreditation Authority plays an important role in granting accreditation certificates to various institutions, companies and projects, which helps to raise their capabilities and achieve international accreditation standards, which leads to qualifying Iraqi companies to access global markets,” noting that “this amendment will give additional strength to companies and their products to be able to compete in international markets with the support of accredited certificates.”

The MP stressed that "amending the law will enhance Iraq's position in the global quality market, and support Iraqi institutions in opening new horizons for cooperation and trade exchange with countries of the world, which will positively reflect on the national economy."  LINK

FRANK26….11-8-24……AKI CALLED…

KTFA

Friday Night Conference Call

FRANK26….11-8-24……AKI CALLED…

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank has stated he will no longer do public videos on the Iraqi dinar UNLESS it is Important, Prudent or Necessary.  

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

What Frank’s suit color’s mean…. FRANKS SUIT COLORS FOR CC'S..... WHITE = NEW INFO…. SILVER = INTEL FROZEN…. RED= HIGH ALERT… PURPLE=GUEST WITH US…. BLUE = AIR FORCE…. BLACK = GROUND/FF’S…. GREEN= MR OR FAB 4 ... GOLD = CHANGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Y3B_u-D3k

Some “Iraq News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 11-7-2024

KTFA:

Clare:  Iraqi Parliament extends its legislative term until the ninth of next month

11/7/2024

The Iraqi Parliament decided today, Thursday, to extend the legislative session for 30 days, starting from November 9 of this month.

This comes after the member of the Parliamentary Legal Committee, Mohammed Al-Khafaji, revealed to Shafaq News Agency that the current legislative session of the Council of Representatives ends on the 9th of this month, and that its extension for another month is subject to Article 58 of the Iraqi Constitution. 

He added that according to this article, the legislative term can be extended at the request of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or 50 members of parliament, provided that the extension is approved by a vote of the majority of the members of the House.

Al-Khafaji explained that the extension comes to organize the work of Parliament and approve pending laws, as the past period witnessed repeated postponements in the Council’s sessions and the incomplete agenda.

He pointed out that the extension will provide an additional opportunity for the government to submit the draft general budget law for 2025, which is supposed to be submitted before the end of this year. He stressed the importance of the government taking advantage of this time to avoid the delay witnessed in the budget this year.  LINK

Clare:  Rafidain Bank: Implementing the comprehensive banking system in 48 branches

11/7/2024

Baghdad /  Rafidain Bank announced the operation of 48 branches, so far, within its comprehensive banking system.

The bank stated in a statement: "The comprehensive banking system is a qualitative leap in the bank's path, as it supports digital transformation and enhances the bank's ability to efficiently meet the needs of wide segments of customers." He stressed

: "This continuous expansion will include more branches in the future, as part of a well-thought-out plan aimed at providing a modern banking experience that contributes to supporting the national economy and meeting the needs of society with distinguished and comprehensive banking services." LINK

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Clare:  Central Bank of Iraq celebrates National Job Day

November 07, 2024

The Central Bank of Iraq organized a central celebration of the National Job Day by honoring a number of its creative employees with success stories that contributed to the development of work at the Central Bank of Iraq.

His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, and the honorable Representative Dr. Ammar Hamad Khalaf, honored the employees who won the National Job Award, which was organized within the bank and in the presence of a representative of the Prime Minister's Office, presenting them with the award shield, praising their efforts and contributions that enhanced the efficiency of the work of their departments and sections, which was reflected in the work of the Central Bank.
His Excellency urged all employees of the Central Bank to make their efforts to be present on the platforms of job success next year, pointing to the support and honoring of an important category of the bank's employees in the Issuance and Treasury Department next year.

The Chairman of the National Job Day Committee, Dr. Alaa Jamal Abdul Redha, praised the efforts made to make the Job Day a success, indicating that today's celebration is an extension of the ongoing efforts to create a platform to recognize job excellence and dedication in the public sector.

 Central Bank of Iraq
Media Office
November 7, 2024

https://cbi.iq/news/view/2708

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And receive profits via Zain Cash and FIB “Halal” shares without interest start at $100.. The first company to enter Mosul (video)

11/7/2024

Cultural Group (Mosul) 

“Planet of Profit” company manager Harem Ribwar says that it is the first officially registered company to enter Mosul and provide training services for those wishing to trade stocks on global stock exchanges, in addition to providing brokerage services. Ribwar talks about two types of subscriptions, the first starting at $100 for beginners, and the second at $50,000 for professionals, with “completely Islamic and interest-free” services.

The company opened its branch in Mosul in the Cultural Group area on the left side, and works on mediation between the investor and the stock exchange. Today, it has 5 other branches in Kirkuk, Diyala, Erbil, Dohuk, and Sulaymaniyah before opening the sixth branch in Nineveh, while it plans to reach Baghdad and Basra.

Harem Ribwar - Director of Kawkab Al-Rabh Company in Iraq, to ​​964 Network :

Our company is a broker in the financial markets and is licensed by the Central Bank of Iraq and the Ministry of Trade, where it works as a shareholder with the global company ax finanials limited, registered in Wales.

Our main business is to mediate between clients or investors and global markets, we are the first company to bring electronic trading technology to Iraq, and one of our goals in the country is to change investment to a new and correct path.

We are the first official company to enter Nineveh, and we want to contribute to rebuilding Umm Al-Rabi’een and contribute to employing workers.

We have an academy for teaching trading, and we will hold workshops and training in this field for those who wish, and we will bring the best trainers in the field of trading in the financial markets.

We have a “standard” deposit of at least $100, and a “premium” deposit of at least $50,000. All our accounts are Islamic, meaning they are free of interest, and we take the commission from the bank, not the investor.

We established the company last April and opened the first branch in Kirkuk, the second branch in Erbil, then Diyala and Dohuk, and soon in Najaf, Basra, and Baghdad.

The Nineveh branch staff consists of 10 people with scientific specializations, graduates of management and economics, and software engineers. We grant agencies to our employees or investors, through which they can bring customers and take their commission on each customer, which is 50% of the profits.

We have deposits and withdrawals, which are done at our branches, and delivery and receipt are done through Zain Cash and the Iraqi Digital Bank FIB.  LINK

 Clare:  Al-Sudani announces the completion rates of the main projects in the Grand Faw Port

11/7/2024

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Thursday the completion rates of the main projects in the Grand Faw Port in Basra Governorate, in the far south of the country.

This came during a sea tour during which he was briefed on the basic projects in the Grand Faw Port in Basra Governorate, accompanied by the Minister of Transport, the Governor of Basra, a number of representatives and advisors, and the Director General of Ports.

Al-Sudani began his tour, according to a statement issued by his office and received by Shafak News Agency, with the five docks, the handover ceremony of which he sponsored today. He then viewed the other projects he started in the container yard and the dock wall, the completion rate of which reached (100%). He then moved to the submerged tunnel, the completion rate of which reached (58.47%), and is considered one of the most important development road projects.

During his tour, Al-Sudani also reviewed the progress of work on the navigation canal, which has reached a completion rate of (77.41%). His Excellency concluded his tour by reviewing the ongoing work on the road linking the port of Faw and the expressway, which represents the beginning of the strategic development road. The progress rate of work on the linking road has reached (92.42%).

Earlier on Thursday, Al-Sudani said during the ceremony to receive the five berths of the Grand Faw Port in Basra Governorate from the Korean company implementing the work, that his government faced "major challenges" in starting to implement the vital development road project, considering the Grand Faw Port project to be one that will transform the historical geographical situation of Iraq.   LINK

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Clare:  Al-Sudani: The Grand Faw Port is Iraq's largest project

11/7/2024

 Baghdad /  Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stressed: "The Grand Faw Port is Iraq's largest project," announcing the receipt of the five berths that represent the backbone of the port.

Al-Sudani said in a speech during his patronage of the ceremony of receiving the five berths from the implementing company: "Today we reap the fruits of the effort and follow-up to proceed with the project of Iraq and the people, the Grand Faw Port."

He added: "The project has actually entered the paths of global trade and transport routes that pass through the Middle East region," indicating: "The first phase of the project will be completed next year, according to the timetables."

The Prime Minister continued: "Iraq was and still is a fundamental pillar in the global economy, and today we are facing a new Iraq that begins from the Grand Faw Port, and the development path will be an artery linking most countries in the region."

He explained: "Development and economic transformation are an integrated approach that looks at the dimensions of the country's needs," noting: "The Council of Ministers supported the Ministry of Transport in rehabilitating the railways on the paths of the development path."

He concluded by saying: "Prosperity, providing job opportunities and development windows are among our work priorities, and we will continue to work to support the industry and trade sectors and develop agriculture, and we will expand trade exchange with countries of the world through the Grand Faw Port and the development road."    LINK

Some “Iraq Economic News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 11-6-2024

KTFA:

Clare:  Makkia: Iraq is heading towards a major investment marathon

11/6/2024  Baghdad

The head of the National Investment Commission, Haider Makiya, confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq is heading towards a major investment marathon for many projects, while he indicated that funding from international institutions reduces the burden on the Ministry of Finance by granting loans for investment projects.

Makiya said in a statement reported by the official news agency, and seen by "Al-Eqtisad News", that "we found many economic visions in the first version of the Iraq Economic Forum", noting that "the issue of the possibility of benefiting from the financing of international institutions known to the Central Bank was raised in order to reduce the burden on the Ministry of Finance to grant loans and facilities to local investment projects or even foreign projects."

He added, "It is necessary to seek external funding to finance investment projects, especially since Iraq is about to embark on a major investment marathon for many investment projects inside Iraq." 

Makiya explained that "the understandings with the International Financing Program are still in effect, and we hope for all major investment projects in the field of renewable energy and waste treatment to generate electricity," noting that "we hope to search for solid institutions to develop the projects, especially since their amounts are very large."  LINK

Clare:  Central Bank Governor receives Azerbaijani Ambassador

November 06, 2024

His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, received His Excellency the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Nasir Mammadov.

During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between Iraq and Azerbaijan and ways to develop them to include various economic fields. His Excellency the Governor stressed the need to improve the nature of bilateral relations and expand the horizons of cooperation in the banking sector for the two countries, in addition to their positive impact on the economic, tourism and investment sectors.

He pointed out the importance of cooperation in terms of exchanging experiences and the process of transferring money to facilitate trade between the two countries.

For his part, His Excellency the Ambassador stressed the importance of economic relations with Iraq and the need to overcome obstacles to enhance and grow them, extending an invitation to His Excellency the Governor to visit Azerbaijan in preparation for future cooperation in the economic and banking fields.

Central Bank of Iraq
Media Office
November 6, 2024

https://cbi.iq/news/view/2707

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Clare:  Iraq's share in the IMF

11/6/2024

When Iraq announced that it had paid off all its debts to the International Monetary Fund last May, Reuters quoted the Fund as saying that Iraq was facing internal imbalances exacerbated by the large financial expansion and the decline in oil prices, and that it needed to gradually correct the public finances to achieve debt stability in the medium term and rebuild reserves.

Mohammed Sharif Abu Maysam 

At the same time, despite the expansion in public finance management with the aim of achieving significant increases in growth rates, the Ministry of Planning announced a decline in inflation rates from 7.5 percent to 4 percent, which is a positive precedent that has never happened before and is credited to those in charge of monetary and financial policies. It was leaked from the Central Bank that the cash reserve exceeds 110 billion dollars and that the country’s gold reserves amounted to nearly 150 tons. 

The full repayment of the country's debt to the International Monetary Fund, the decline in the inflation rate and the increase in the cash reserve rates were indicators of a major shift in economic policies, not because the amount of debt was large, exceeding about eight billion dollars, but because such debts are usually conditional in the context of the so-called economic reform program that aims to privatize state functions and link the country's fate to the policies of the creditor parties and those behind them.

It is known globally that governments that can get rid of the burden of debt to the Fund and the World Bank are the most successful in managing the affairs of their countries and implementing their programs related to supporting macroeconomic stability and implementing the necessary financial reforms. Supporting the ration card program was not only a direct reason for reducing inflation rates, but other factors related to monetary and financial policies and limiting parallel markets, and the flow of foreign currency with supporting the local product contributed to achieving this.

Thus, increasing the percentage of the country's gold reserves contributed as a tool to cover the local currency and a safe means of hedging against economic fluctuations and security tensions witnessed by the world and the region.

Accordingly, those in charge of economic policy files prove their success, and it is our duty to point out that these successes, just as it was our duty to always point out the points of weakness and stumbling with the aim of monitoring and correcting, have proven the inaccuracy of the vision presented by the International Monetary Fund regarding the situation of public finances, debts, and rebuilding reserves.

Today, Iraq intends to increase its share in the International Monetary Fund by the equivalent of 1.45 trillion dinars, which will support its voting power within the Fund, contribute to attracting investments, create a promising business environment, and achieve real development, thus addressing the problem of inflation in the labor market and implementing the components of the government program.  LINK

Clare:  2025 Strong national economy and sound banks

Samir Al-Nusair 

In an important presentation before the MERI Conference on Economic, Financial and Banking Reform, the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, explained the indicators of the recovery of our national economy and the major transformations in the structure of government and private banks achieved in 2023 and 2024 and expected in 2025.

These are standard indicators that are relied upon to evaluate the strength of the economy and the soundness of the banking sector.

The most prominent of these indicators are the sufficiency of foreign cash reserves, the local currency issued, the inflation rate and the external debt, while emphasizing that the objectives of the monetary policy of the Central Bank stipulated in its applicable law are to achieve economic growth and stability, and that one of its main objectives is to achieve stability in the financial and monetary system, reduce inflation rates and stabilize the prices of goods and services in extremely complex economic, security and political conditions that Iraq suffered from in 2023 and 2024 and that the world is currently going through, especially the countries of the geographical region, which our country is negatively and positively affected by.

These conditions have been suffered by our economy for decades, and the reason is the rentier economy and the dependence of 95% of the general budget revenues on oil, which constitutes approximately 60% of the gross domestic product.

The government is making clear efforts to revolutionize the active economic sectors, namely agriculture, industry, tourism, customs and tax services fees, and to increase their share in the general budget revenues to 20%. The low contribution of these sectors to the gross domestic product has led to the absence of local production that covers the consumption needs of citizens for food and other basic materials. Therefore, there was almost complete dependence on imports for the private commercial sector from different sources.

Successive governments were unable to control internal trade and regulate foreign trade, and the weak control over illegal trade and unofficial border crossings, which led to the impact on the monetary and commercial market.

Therefore, this indicator was the most prominent challenge facing monetary policy and directly affected the stability of the exchange rate, which led the Central Bank to take many measures in cooperation with the government to regulate foreign trade, control foreign transfers, regularity in the global financial and banking system, compliance with international standards, digital transformation in the banking sector, and work on preparing and launching its new strategy for banking reform

And classification in all its basic links at the level of internal and external banking transactions, the most prominent of which is securing the US dollar for major and registered traders and for every trader, regardless of his classification, at the official price exclusively through the electronic platform.

This was achieved through analyzing the indicators of the annual inflation rate, which amounted to 3.8% after it was 4.4%, and by comparing it with the annual inflation rates of regional and neighboring countries. Inflation rates in most of these countries reached very high rates, reaching 80.2% in Turkey, 117.4% in Sudan, 40.0% in Iran, and in the Maghreb countries with relative economic stability in Tunisia 9.3%, Algeria 9.0%, Morocco 5.0%, and in Egypt 37.4%, and in the Gulf countries with stable and oil-rich economies, they ranged between 2.4% and 4.8%.

This confirms, without a doubt, that the strategy of the Central Bank and its procedures during the years 2023 and 2024 achieved one of the basic objectives of monetary policy, which is to reduce the inflation rate and maintain the general level of prices of goods and services.

It is currently working to achieve other objectives, which are the stability of the exchange rate and maintaining a foreign reserve that covers the local currency in circulation and imports, which exceeded $100 billion, with a sufficiency of 140%, which covers the local currency in circulation.

Therefore, the economic results and outputs confirm that the policies and procedures undertaken by the Central Bank in cooperation with the government have achieved an important objective of monetary policy,  to achieve stability in the monetary system, which is an important step in achieving the other objectives of monetary policy.

It must be noted that one of the most prominent indicators of the strength and recovery of our economy is what the International Monetary Fund recently predicted, that the expected economic growth rate in 2025 will be 5.3%, while it contracted by 2.2% in 2022.

The expected rate is higher than the growth rates in Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Algeria, Jordan and Qatar. It is an indicator of the strength of our economy and is an inevitable result of the economic and financial reform programs implemented by the government and the Central Bank since 2023.   LINK

FRANK26….10-30-24……YOU HAVE NO IDEA

KTFA

Wednesday Night Conference Call

FRANK26….10-30-24……YOU HAVE NO IDEA

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank has stated he will no longer do public videos on the Iraqi dinar UNLESS it is Important, Prudent or Necessary.  

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

What Frank’s suit color’s mean…. FRANKS SUIT COLORS FOR CC'S..... WHITE = NEW INFO…. SILVER = INTEL FROZEN…. RED= HIGH ALERT… PURPLE=GUEST WITH US…. BLUE = AIR FORCE…. BLACK = GROUND/FF’S…. GREEN= MR OR FAB 4 ... GOLD = CHANGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaNVtLh6AEc