Iraqi News Monday AM 11-23-20
Iraqi News Monday AM 11-23-20
TLM724 Administrator BondLady’s Corner
Chairman Of The Economic And Investment Committee Calls For Improving The Performance Of The National Investment Authority
11/23/2020 The Chairman of the Economic and Investment Committee, MP Ahmed Salim Al-Kinani, stressed on Monday 11/23/2020 the activation of the single window in granting investment opportunities, promising to hold accountable anyone who tries to obstruct the promotion of transactions with flimsy arguments and routine and bureaucratic methods that obstruct investment projects.
The members of the committee were briefed during the Economic and Investment Committee hosted by the President of the National Investment Commission, Suha Al-Najjar, in the presence of the ladies and gentlemen of the committee members, on investment projects in Baghdad and the provinces, indicating that there are many projects that suffer from delay in work for reasons that are subjective, and that there are investment licenses granted to investors without any work In reality, this is what calls for accountability and that the Economic and Parliamentary Committee will play its supervisory role in accounting for negligence and withdraw investment licenses from those who are reluctant and speculators in public money.
Al-Kinani added that the Economic and Investment Committee is supportive and ready to provide assistance for the success of the work of the Investment Authority and to solve the problems facing the work of the Authority through the legislation of laws and granting the necessary facilities.
The head of the committee demanded that the commission assume its responsibility and advance its projects. There is no room for compromising with the negligent, whether from the commission or investors. For this orientation.
For her part, the Chairperson of the Commission appreciated the work of the Economic and Investment Committee by following up on the projects that the Commission referred for implementation, praising the support provided to the Commission by the Commission, pledging to provide detailed periodic reports on the Commission’s work during the next phase. House of Representatives Media Department 11/23/2020 LINK
The House Of Representatives Ends Reading And Discussing The Information Crimes Law
11/23/2020 The House of Representatives, in its twenty-third session, which was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Mohamed Al-Halbousi, Speaker of the House, concluded today, Monday 11/23/2020, the reading and discussion of the Information Crimes Law, and addressed an oral question to the Chairman of the Service Council Federal.
At the beginning of the session, the Chairman of the Board announced that Deputy Faleh Al-Sari had fulfilled his oral question addressed to the Governor of the Central Bank after his answers were satisfied.
In the same regard, Deputy Kazem Atiyah Al-Shammari directed an oral question to Mr. Mahmoud Muhammad Abd, Chairman of the Federal Service Council, inquiring about the mechanism followed by the Federal Service Council in appointing general directors and the placement of new employees from other ministries and the conditions and controls put in place to ensure the representation of all components of the Iraqi people .
For his part, the Chairman of the Service Council clarified that one of the conditions of appointment in all state jobs requires the existence of a vacant job in the owners, indicating that the Council follows the decisions and regulations issued by the Council of Ministers and is bound by them and does not have the mandate to appoint in terms of appointing general managers. He nominates or appoints any general manager, and the council’s vision is still under scrutiny, as it has been inactive since its establishment and approval, pointing to the Council of Ministers approaching him to notify him of the vacant special ranks in the Service Council without obtaining an answer.
Deputy Al-Shammari was followed by a response that the president of the service council, according to the law, does not have the powers of appointment, but rather has powers in the financial and administrative sides, noting that the president does not have the right to uniqueness in decisions without resorting to members of the council and abiding by his law, in addition to appointing the council to persons with different specializations from their duties.
Mr. Mahmoud Mohamed stated that the Public Service Law did not specify the specialization of general directors when nominating them, adding that the Chairman of the Council is the head of the members of the Council and is also the administrative face of Council affairs and exercises the authority of the competent minister for financial and administrative affairs, as stipulated in the Federal Service Law.
In turn, Mr. Al-Halbousi demanded to provide the House of Representatives with the names and specializations of the general directors in the Federal Service Council.
On the other hand, the Speaker of Parliament announced that a date would be set at a later time to host the Prime Minister to answer questions submitted by the ladies and gentlemen of the deputies.
The Council requested reading the report and discussion of the draft refugee law submitted by the Labor, Social Affairs, Immigration, Displaced and Human Rights Committees at the request of the relevant committee.
The council finished reading the report and discussing the draft law on information crimes submitted by the committees of security, defense, higher education, legal, culture, tourism, human rights, services, reconstruction, communications and media.
The interventions of the ladies and gentlemen focused on the demand to observe the balance between the maintenance of freedoms and the preservation of public social security and the necessity of proportionality between the crime and the penalty specified for it, and the demand not to use the law in a way that harms public freedoms with exaggerated penalties, and the call to enact a law that preserves the prestige of the state while preserving The peculiarities of public freedoms, as well as not accepting the absurdity that is currently taking place on social media, and seeking assistance from criminal crime experts and the Supreme Judicial Council to consult on the issue of penalties stipulated in the law, and to demand more clarification of the provisions of the law and that its wording is not too loose that leads to silencing voices, in addition to objecting to some The paragraphs contained in the draft law as having nothing to do with information crimes, and the demand for controlling access portals for the network to limit negative topics raised from outside the country.
In its response to the interventions, the committee concerned with the law affirmed that broad amendments have been made to the provisions of the draft law that are commensurate with the proposals presented and in line with the freedom of expression of opinion guaranteed by the constitution.
And the President of the Council called for not to violate the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution, especially freedom of the press, expression of opinion and publicity, and to distinguish between those who insult, insult and insult and between those who make constructive criticism, and that it be a law to preserve freedoms.
Then it was decided to adjourn the session. Media Department Parliament 11/23/2020 LINK
Financial Advisor To The Prime Minister: The Agreement With Beijing Takes Effect
Monday 23rd November 2020 79 Baghdad: Hazem Muhammad Habib and Muhammad Al-Ansari
In a very important step for the future of the educational institution in the country, the Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, held a meeting yesterday, Sunday, with the Supreme Committee for Building Schools in Iraq. In its first stage, building a thousand new schools, as part of the Memoranda of Understanding with the People's Republic of China.
A statement by the Media Office of the Prime Minister stated that the project will ensure that the problems of duplication in the use of school buildings are addressed, and the problems of schools that are not suitable for their buildings, and it was agreed that the project be called "model schools."
The Prime Minister stressed, according to the statement, "that school designs be within the modern style, and in accordance with the actual and practical needs of the Iraqi environment."
Al-Kazemi also directed to address the lags in school projects currently being implemented, to overcome obstacles and red tape, to serve students, and to expedite the lifting of pressure on the educational process.
In addition, the financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr. Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed that the Iraqi-Chinese agreement signed in 2019 is continuing and effective under the title “Oil for Reconstruction”, stressing that the 2021 budget will include the implementation of projects funded according to the agreement.
In an interview with Al-Sabah, Dr. Saleh said: Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi's assertion was clear and clear that the agreement signed between the Iraqi government and the Chinese governmental institution for credit guarantee (Sinosure), which became effective since mid-October 2019, is still effective and comes under The title (oil for reconstruction), especially the reconstruction of the infrastructure, because Iraq badly needs it ».
The advisor to the prime minister pointed out, “The current year 2020 has witnessed two stumbling blocks in the implementation of the agreement with Beijing, the first being the closure of the Chinese economy itself and its isolation from the world due to the Corona pandemic, and the other is the lack of approval of any new government projects in Iraq (except for ongoing projects) during the year. Current 2020, due to the lack of legislation of any federal budget, including the investment budget ».
He added, “The stumbling in the implementation of the agreement, with regard to Iraq, comes as a result of the exceptional and difficult financial conditions due to the deterioration of oil markets, low budget revenues, and the rise or birth of an unexpected large deficit financed through two borrowing laws, and the matter changed the priorities of government spending this year. Exceptional Finance ».
Dr. Saleh pointed out that “it is certain that the next federal budget, 2021; It will include important investment projects that will be implemented and financed at the expense of the Iraqi-Chinese agreement, ”indicating that“ the agreement extends for twenty years, and that the source of the funding is part of the Iraqi oil exported to China, whose money is placed in an investment fund, and the Chinese government contributes to providing credit facilities when needed to complete the projects. Which Will be adopted ». LINK
Customs Automation And The Challenges Of Globalization
Monday 23rd November 2020 66 Muhammad Sharif Abu Maysam The requirement to automate the customs system has been urgent since the enactment of the Customs Tariff Law No. 22 of 2010, but the state of confusion that the country has witnessed over the past years has made this requirement secondary to the inability of successive governments to implement this law, due to the tensions and interference of the beneficiaries of the market chaos. Until the requirement to automate the customs system disappeared behind the requirement to implement the law.
When the Al-Abadi government sought to implement the law in 2016-2017, it faced many difficulties due to the exit of many border crossings from the control of the central government, until customs controls were implemented outside the borders of the governorates, which were marred by a lot of confusion, which made customs revenues no more than 10 Percent on the volume of daily financial flows financed by the Central Bank in the currency auction, according to a previous statement by the head of the Parliament's Finance Committee.
But with the current government’s insistence on organizing the work of the border crossings and placing them under the authority of the central government, the demand for the automation of the system is at the forefront of this file, especially since the financial and economic reform program, which was included in the white paper, referred to this important detail in managing the financial situation, while it came Parliament's demand, coupled with a vote on the borrowing law, to reinforce this government approach, which resulted in the initiation of negotiations with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development or what is known as (UNCTAD) to automate the customs system, which will limit customs evasion and enable the government to increase its financial revenues and support the local product from Through the reduction of commodity dumping, as well as the possibility of implementing the reform program and achieving its economic and political goals.
This shift coincides with a series of measures mentioned in the reform paper, in line with the directions and goals of UNCTAD, which aim to create an appropriate environment that allows the integration of the Iraqi economy with the globalized economy by creating stability, reducing financial fluctuations and amending regulations that limit competition.
In this direction, it is important to activate the national energies and capabilities and give priority to local capital, in order to enhance the spirit of initiative and innovation in order to face development challenges, and to reduce the domination of foreign capital over the business environment, without controls in light of the urgent need for foreign investment, especially that (UNCTAD) Raise the slogan of confronting the challenges arising from globalization and helping to integrate into the global economy on a more equitable basis. LINK
The Ministry Of Finance Issues A Statement Regarding The Abolition Of Customs Exemptions And Exceptions For Countries And Government Institutions
Pratha News Agency111 2020-11-23 On Monday, the Ministry of Finance issued a statement regarding the abolition of customs exemptions and exceptions for countries and government institutions.
The ministry stated in a statement that “based on Article 10 of the Financing Deficit Financing Law for the year 2020, which stipulated the cancellation of all customs exemptions and exceptions granted to countries and government institutions that the Iraqi Parliament voted for, the Ministry addressed the General Authority for Customs and the General Tax Authority to take the necessary measures to implement Article 10. From the above article, and that the ministry is concerned with implementing the laws and decisions issued by the legislative authority.
The Ministry directed its inquiry to the Parliamentary Finance Committee for the purpose of expressing its opinion on the application of the provisions of Article 10 of the Fiscal Deficit Financing Law for the year 2020, and whether it includes all laws for government institutions and the private sector, international agreements and exemptions granted to the holy shrines.
The ministry explained, "Article 10 of the law may conflict with the provisions of the laws in force such as (Investment Law No. 13 of 2006, the Industrial Investment Law for the private and mixed sectors No. 20 of 1998, Governmental Organizations Law No. 12 of 2010 and the Law on Exemption of Foreign Companies and Foreign Subcontractors Contracted in Contracts) "Licensing rounds from fees No. 46 of 2017 and the Law of Care for People with Disabilities and Special Needs No. 38 of 2013 and our commitments with the World Trade Organization and the Arab Common Market and bilateral trade agreements with many countries and other international agreements."
She indicated that this came "in addition to customs exemptions according to the provisions of Customs Law No. 23 of 1984, as well as other exemptions for writing off debts resulting from postponing customs duties and other decisions related to exemptions and customs fees within the laws of other ministries."
She emphasized, "Until clarification is received from the House of Representatives, the Ministry is proceeding to apply the content of the law literally to all institutions of the Iraqi government only, without including the private sector and non-governmental institutions, or any state or international institution with which we have commercial agreements or legally binding exemptions." http://burathanews.com/arabic/news/381063
Oil Prices Continue Their Gains And Brent Is Close To $ 46 Thanks To Hopes For A Corona Vaccine
Pratha News Agency87 2020-11-23 Oil prices rose by more than 1%, Monday, to continue their gains, as Brent approaches $ 46, thanks to successful trials of a Corona virus vaccine.
Sentiment boosted hopes that OPEC, Russia and other producers, a group known as OPEC +, would continue to curb production.
Brent crude futures rose 79 cents, equivalent to 1.75%, to $ 45.86 a barrel by 11:00 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude increased 66 cents, or 1.56%, to $ 43.08 a barrel. The two crude jumped 5% last week.
The British drug company Astrazeneca said that its emerging coronavirus vaccine, which it developed in cooperation with the University of Oxford, may be 90% effective, depending on a single dose system.
OPEC + meets on November 30 and December 1 to discuss options to reduce production by 2 million barrels per day from 7.7 million barrels per day from January for a period of no less than three months.
http://burathanews.com/arabic/economic/381065
Minister Of Planning: Signing An Important Agreement With Japan Soon
Time: 11/23/2020 13:47:30 Read: 2,171 times {Baghdad: Al Furat News} Today, Monday, Minister of Planning Khaled Battal Al-Najm received the Japanese ambassador to Iraq, Suzuki Kotaro, and his accompanying delegation to sign an important agreement with Japan soon.
The ministry stated in a statement that Al-Furat News received a copy of it, that “during the meeting, which was attended by the Director General of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Planning, Saher Abdul-Kazim, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and strengthened joint cooperation in the economic, commercial and investment fields.”
The minister stressed on "the longstanding relations between Iraq and Japan and their importance in serving common interests, indicating that the two countries will soon sign a new agreement to frame cooperation with the Japanese Development Agency (JICA), indicating that" this agreement will contribute to increasing the level of cooperation in various fields, calling Japanese companies to increase the volume of their investments in Iraq, in various development sectors, which represent promising investment opportunities, especially in the sectors of housing, energy, transportation, and others.
”The Japanese ambassador expressed his country's readiness to increase the volume of cooperation with the Iraqi side in various fields, indicating that“His government provided a lot of support to its Iraqi counterpart in the field of confronting the Covid 19 pandemic, adding that the joint cooperation agreement that the two countries will sign soon represents a quantum leap in deepening and strengthening joint cooperation relations, indicating that there is a great desire among Japanese companies to work and invest in Iraq. LINK
Sadr Movement Announces The Postponement Of Tomorrow's Demonstrations
Political| 04:36 - 23/11/2020 Baghdad - Mawazine News The Central Committee overseeing popular protests in Iraq, affiliated with the Sadrist movement, announced, on Monday, the postponement of the demonstrations scheduled to start tomorrow, in support of the leader of the movement, Muqtada al-Sadr.
The committee stated in a statement, Mawazine News received a copy of it: “The Divine Wisdom wills that the great injustice of our mullah Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her) coincides with the injustice of her grandchildren from the honorable Al-Sadr family, and for our victory to the leader, Mr. Muqtada Al-Sadr, as an extension of the support of the Saints of God, Majesty."
The statement added, "Therefore, it was decided to postpone the demonstrations in support of the leader Muqtada al-Sadr throughout Iraq until next Friday 11/27 at three o'clock in the afternoon, with the same instructions and announced measures, and condolences to the condolences to Imam Al-Mahdi (peace be upon him) and to the Sadr family in memory of the testimony of our lady Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her) ) ". Ended 29 / A43 https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=131505
Mazhar Muhammad Saleh Proposes A Set Of Solutions To Address The Fiscal Deficit In The Next Year’s Budget
Economie| 08:16 - 23/11/2020 Baghdad - Mawazine News, the economic advisor in the cabinet, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, proposed a number of solutions with the aim of facing the fiscal deficit in the next year 2021 budget, which was initially estimated at about 35 trillion dinars, putting at the forefront of those proposals, financing the deficit gap through improved oil revenues And the positive developments that may take place in the energy markets, as well as resorting to foreign loans .
Regarding internal borrowing, Saleh believes that if government banks reach a point where they cannot lend to the government, then they can go to the issuance of optional bonds that are sold directly to the public and carry specific interest and privileges, "indicating that" 83% of the current monetary mass (as an almost idle financial wealth) ) Amounting to nearly 50 trillion dinars.
He pointed out that "this block is still leaking to the public, and lies outside the banking system in the form of hoardings cut off from the income cycle in the economy and does not deal with the banking system, which means that there are large disruptive financial surpluses that can be borrowed and cover the budget deficit."
Saleh pointed out that "bonds are a government debt instrument in dealings, mortgages, and even tax payments or any other financial obligations, as these sovereign bonds can be taken as guarantees for borrowing and others, in addition to being a government debt instrument of excellent class, which is a context in place in all major markets." Money in the world to finance the budget, especially the investment side. ”Ended 29 / A 87 https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=131431
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