“Tidbits From TNT” Wednesday Morning 12-17-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  Iraq and Indonesia discuss strategic cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

Iraq and Indonesia discussed on Tuesday the possibility of strengthening strategic cooperation in the oil and gas sector, which would include Pertamina International Energy Company (PIEP).

These discussions took place during a meeting held in Jakarta on Tuesday between Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yuliut Tanjung, and Deputy Minister of Exploration and Production Affairs at the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, Basim Mohammed Qadhir.

Tanjung said: “The Indonesian government is committed to promoting sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation in the oil and gas sector, not only to enhance national energy security, but also to create added value for both countries through capacity building and knowledge transfer.”

Pertamina International Energy Company (PIEP) participated in the project due to its role as an operational provider in the oil and gas sector, particularly in supporting the development of oil and gas fields in Iraq, while promoting efforts to achieve energy self-sufficiency nationwide.

Indonesian-Iraqi cooperation in the oil and gas sector is currently being prepared through an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding that has been submitted to Iraq through diplomatic channels and is currently under discussion.

The scope of cooperation under discussion includes facilitating oil and gas trade and investment, promoting technology transfer and exchange of expertise, conducting joint research, and developing human capacity-building activities.

Furthermore, the cooperation also aims to provide opportunities for Indonesian state-owned companies to participate in oil and gas projects in Iraq, and to enhance coordination between stakeholders in both countries.

Other areas of cooperation discussed include capacity building (training and universities), seismic data research and management, and drilling.

Qadhir said: “The memorandum of understanding in the oil, gas and energy sector will provide opportunities for greater cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.”

PIEP currently holds a 20% participating interest in one of Iraq's oil fields.

The Iraqi government invited Indonesia, through Pertamina, to jointly manage existing producing oil fields and explore potential “green” oil fields, as part of a joint project.  link

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Tishwash:  A presidential decree sets the 29th of this month as the date for the first parliamentary session.

 The President of the Republic issued a presidential decree on Tuesday setting the date for the first session of the new parliament on December 29, to be chaired by the oldest member.  link

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Tishwash:  Sudanese advisor: 8 trillion dinars in tax revenues expected this year as a result of financial reform policies

 The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, predicted that the state would achieve initial tax revenues of approximately 8 trillion dinars during the current year 2025, explaining that this figure represents about 50 percent of the total non-oil revenues estimated between 16 and 17 trillion dinars, at a time when initial estimates indicate the possibility of non-oil revenues rising to about 18 trillion dinars by the end of the year .

Saleh said, "These indicators reflect a gradual shift in the structure of public revenues as a result of the policies adopted by the government within its economic and financial reform program, which aims to reduce dependence on oil as a primary source of public revenues and to enhance resources." 

He explained that “the government, with legislative support from the House of Representatives since 2022, has developed a broad reform roadmap aimed at raising the contribution of non-oil revenues to about 20 percent of total public revenues in annual budgets, after it did not exceed 10 percent in previous years, which is considered a structural transformation in public finance management.” 

Saleh explained that “improving the efficiency of indirect tax collection, especially customs, is an important factor, as every 1 percent increase in the efficiency of customs collection, at current levels, provides additional revenues exceeding 800 billion dinars annually,” stressing that “these additional resources have a real ability to finance the salaries of tens of thousands of public service employees and alleviate the pressure on the public treasury.” 

The financial advisor pointed out that “raising the efficiency of collection is directly related to bringing the tax authority into the scope of broad digital governance, especially in collection and enforcement operations, explaining that this transformation has begun to take its practical course through the electronic customs project, which has begun using information technology and ASYCUDA systems in the inspection and evaluation of goods entering the country.” 

He added, "These steps complement the control of border crossings and linking them to modern electronic systems, in addition to coordinating with foreign trade financing systems in foreign currency, in order to achieve better control over import movement and reduce waste and misuse of foreign currency provided by the state." 

Saleh emphasized that "these measures combined contribute to reducing tax evasion, whether in customs duties or the resulting commercial profits taxes, as well as enhancing transparency in import, pricing and external financing operations."  link

Tishwash:  The Sudanese government summarizes its achievements in the economic sector and promises employees salary adjustments.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani spoke on Tuesday about the achievements made during his tenure as head of the Iraqi government regarding the economy and energy sector, while indicating that the time has come to address the disparity in the salaries of state employees and to achieve fairness and justice among them.

In a televised interview followed by “Mail”, Al-Sudani said, “The three-year budget provided stability in spending and ensured the financing of projects, and I expect we will not go to three-year budgets anymore,” indicating that “Iraq’s budget was $24 billion in 2004.”

He added that "the number of employees in 2025 is 4 million and 550 thousand," noting that "the number of civilian and military retirees is 2 million and 960 thousand."

He pointed out that "43 million citizens benefit from the ration card," explaining that "4 million and 500 thousand names that were not entitled were being issued the ration card."

He added that "more than 22 trillion dinars are spent annually on the energy sector," noting that "social protection allocations amounted to 6 trillion dinars annually."

He explained that "12 trillion dinars are allocated to service projects from the annual budget," stressing, "We have made important reforms to reduce expenses and financial waste."

He pointed out that "reviewing previous electricity contracts saved 43% of previous costs," indicating that "there are those who reject institutional organization because they thrive on chaos."

He went on to say: “There is no country in the world today without internal or external debt,” noting that “all budgets approved by previous governments include a financial deficit.”

He stated that "the total external debt is $10 billion and 56 million," noting that "Iraq's external debt is the lowest among the countries of the region."

He added that "the financial crisis can be overcome without harming citizens," noting that "Iraq's gold reserves have increased from 130 to 172 tons."

Al-Sudani confirmed that "the inflation rate has decreased from 7.5% to 2.7%," noting that "the government has managed to reduce the gap in the exchange rate."

He continued: "We tend to be stable in fixing the exchange rate and not changing it every so often," noting that "we supported correcting the situation of private banks and their return to the market."

He added: "It is time to review the disparity in the salary scale of state employees," noting that "there are 34 laws and special decisions related to the salaries of state employees."

He stressed the need to amend the laws relating to additional allowances, noting that "the state is responsible for protecting the private sector from extortion and bureaucracy."

He continued: "We have obtained many gains for the state through distinguished investments," stressing "the development of 66 streets in Sadr City in exchange for an investment license for 200 dunams."

He explained that "investments provide important additional revenues for the country," noting that "the project to develop the four Kirkuk oil fields is worth $26 billion."

He pointed out that "ExxonMobil's return is due to the transparency of the procedures taken by the government," stressing that "ExxonMobil, Chevron and Halliburton possess modern technology and techniques."

He explained that "residential cities provide alternative options for all classes."

The Prime Minister pointed out that "flaring associated gas was causing a loss of $5 billion annually," indicating that "associated gas investment projects have reached 72%."

He added that "for the first time, Iraq is exporting kerosene by signing a contract for 100,000 tons."

He pointed out that "the submerged tunnel is an architectural masterpiece being implemented for the first time in the region," explaining that "the development road is used for transporting oil, gas and communications."

He added that "the regulatory bodies confirmed that there were no high estimates in the costs of the projects," noting that "economic crises are a global context that many countries are experiencing."  link

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Mot:  Should I Share??? -- Yeppers! ""first day of Christmas""