TNT:

Tishwash:  Governor of the Central Bank welcomes the opening of branches of British banks inside Iraq

The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mustafa Ghaleb Mukhif, welcomed the opening of branches of British banks in Iraq.

A statement issued by the Central Bank, received by Al-Iqtisad News, said, "The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mustafa Ghaleb Mukhif, met the British Ambassador in Baghdad and discussed banking relations and ways to develop them. The Governor welcomed the opening of branches of British banks in Iraq and the opening of opposite accounts to facilitate trade exchange between the two countries. " .

For his part, the ambassador stressed the necessity of banking cooperation and providing technical assistance to the Central Bank of Iraq, especially in the field of financial digitization. The Ambassador also touched on the white paper document, economic reform and the priorities for implementing this plan, where His Excellency the Governor emphasized the implementation of reforms regarding the automation of border crossings, customs and taxes .

The ambassador praised the new building of the Central Bank, as the governor invited him to attend the opening ceremony of the building upon its completion  link

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Tishwash:  THE CENTRAL BANK ANNOUNCES THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTOMATION FOR THREE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS

Today, Monday, the Governor of the Central Bank, Mustafa Ghaleb Mokhif, confirmed the implementation of automation for three government institutions.

And the media of the Central Bank of Iraq said in a statement received by the "National News Center", "The Governor of the Central Bank, Mustafa Ghaleb, met the British Ambassador in Baghdad, Mark Bryson, and banking relations and ways to develop them were discussed."

He added, "The governor welcomed the opening of branches of British banks in Iraq and the opening of opposite accounts to facilitate trade exchange between the two countries."

The governor stressed the need to “implement reforms regarding the automation of border crossings, customs and taxes.”

While the ambassador stressed “the importance of banking cooperation and providing technical assistance to the Central Bank of Iraq, especially in the field of financial digitization,” praising the “new building of the Central Bank   link

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Tishwash:  International Monetary: The Iraqi economy is recovering from a sharp downturn

A team of IMF experts, led by Tokher Mirzoev, held a virtual mission with the Iraqi authorities from November 28 to December 2 to discuss the latest economic developments and prospects, as well as policy priorities for the period

 And Mirzoev said: {The Iraqi economy is recovering from the sharp contraction it witnessed last year, supported by the rise in oil revenues and the easing of measures to contain the Covid-19 virus. Vaccination rate. It is expected that the real non-oil GDP will grow by 12% in 2021, and that oil production will gradually rise in line with the agreements OPEC+}.

Oil prices

The inflation rate had reached 7.2 percent in September, with expectations of a decline in the coming months, and it is expected that the public finance and current account balances will witness a significant improvement in 2021, from a double-digit deficit in 2020, mainly as a result of the rise in oil prices. The recovery is expected to continue in the medium term but is subject to exposure to significant downside risks, particularly related to the volatility of the oil markets and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.- 19".

 Climate Challenges

He added, “The rise in oil revenues represents an important opportunity to address the major weaknesses in the Iraqi economy, enhance resilience to face climate challenges and other challenges in the future, and move forward with implementing the most important social and economic priorities. Achieving these goals requires strengthening public funds while creating fiscal space {the spending area from public finance}, for the much-needed investment and social safety nets, as well as working to promote the development of the private sector. Rationalizing energy, diversifying fiscal revenues, stopping losses in the electricity sector, and strengthening governance the rational.” 

 The financial sector

He pointed out that “improving the coverage and targeting of social assistance provides better protection for the most vulnerable groups, and in addition, the restructuring of large state-owned banks and improving their governance will be of paramount importance in revitalizing the financial sector and ensuring private sector access to financing. The Fund confirms its readiness to support Iraq.” In this  Efforts".

The IMF team of experts would like to thank the Iraqi authorities for the frank and fruitful discussions they held with it over a period of time mission.  link

Mot:  Young Woman Stranded on Highway. Homeless Man Uses Last $20 to Fill Her Tank

I have lived a fortunate life, comfortable enough, but never too far from catastrophe. I’ve been hungry, and there were periods in childhood where shelter was complicated.

So when I see panhandlers holding up a sign on the side of the road, I’m never disgusted. Whenever possible (cash and traffic permitting), I offer a dollar or two unconcerned about how they choose to use it.

Caught in similar circumstances, I hope that others would show the same sort of kindness to me. I believe when you put goodness out there, goodness returns to you when you need it most.

Kate McClure, 27, of Florence Township, New Jersey, was driving along I-95 headed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in October. Before she reached her destination, she ran out of gas.

 A bit panicked, she was able to get to the side of the road and got out of her car to walk to a gas station. She was startled by an approaching homeless man who told her to get back into her car and lock the doors.

A short time later, the man, Johnny Bobbitt Jr., 34, returned with a filled gas can and emptied it into her vehicle. He’d spent his last $20.

 McClure didn’t have any cash on her, but promised to return with “something.” In the next few weeks she returned to the area along I-95 with money, food, supplies, and gift cards for her new friend and guardian angel.

When McClure brought Bobbitt cereal bars, he offered her one. When McClure brought gift cards and a case of water, Bobbitt was excited to take it back and share with “the guys.”

With each trip, accompanied by her boyfriend,  Mark D’Amico, the couple learned more about the down-trodden good Samaritan. Bobbitt had been homeless for about a year.

 What started as a night on the street turned into weeks and then months. Along the way he met a few homeless men and they have since looked after each other.

A former paramedic, Bobbitt came to Philadelphia on a job lead that fell through. Soon, his savings was depleted.

Around this time, Bobbitt lost his state-issued identification and his VA paperwork from being in the Marine Corps. He could no longer prove his right to work, and didn’t have the money to replace the missing documents.

Browsing through Bobbitt’s old Facebook photos, the couple was shocked at how quickly things changed for the former first responder. “It’s crazy, you can relate to that,” McClure told NJ.com, “You look through and think, ‘that could be me.’”

The couple knew they needed to do more than drop off supplies. They wanted to get Bobbitt back on his feet.

On Nov. 10 the couple started a GoFundMe page on Bobbitt’s behalf. They set a $10,000 goal and intend to use the money to cover move-in expenses, a reliable car, plus rent, food, and utilities for a few months while he gets back on his feet.

When the fund hit $1,700, the couple surprised Bobbitt with the news and a bottle of champagne. “That changes my life, right there,” he told the couple adding, “I’ve honestly met more good people than bad.”

Bobbitt is currently in the process of replacing his paperwork. He aspires to work for the nearby Amazon warehouse and eventually to recertify as a paramedic.

As of Nov. 22, the $10,000 goal set by McClure and D’Amico has been reached and doubled. The pair has raised over $21,000 on Bobbitt’s behalf from sharing on social media sites.

They intend to continue to support their new friend through the transition and have faith that he will come through the other side a true success story. They have been touched by the outpouring of support throughout the social media community.

At a time when headlines are filled with negativity and violence, it’s hard to see humanity through the muck. The chance meeting of these two individuals, however, proves that the Golden Rule is alive and well.

It’s stories like this — people helping people regardless of status or circumstance — that allows us all to keep faith in humanity. I know my resolve to give and volunteer whenever I can has been strengthened after learning McClure’s and Bobbitt’s story.