Some “Friday News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 4-26-2024

KTFA:

Clare:  Governmental and private banks will showcase their services tomorrow during Financial Inclusion Week

4/26/2024

Governmental and private banks are preparing to participate tomorrow, Saturday, in Financial Inclusion Week.

The electronic payment systems will review banking services for citizens, including advances and loans, and introduce them to the products offered by these banks in a step to enhance financial inclusion.   LINK

Clare:  Parliament does not know the reason for the delay in sending the 2024 budget schedules: Voting takes time

4/26/2024   Baghdad

The Finance Committee in the Iraqi Parliament confirmed today, Friday (April 26, 2024), that the government was very late in sending the 2024 budget disbursement schedules.

Committee member Jamal Kujar told “Baghdad Today” that “we are very close to entering the middle of the fiscal year, and so far the government has not sent us the 2024 budget spending schedules,” noting that “voting on it requires time by Parliament for the purpose of studying or amending it.”

Koger stated, “We do not know what the reasons were that prompted the government to all this delay in sending the budget schedules, even though it cannot spend any of the amounts, especially for projects and others, until after Parliament votes on those schedules. “

It is noteworthy that the Chairman of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Atwan Al-Atwani, confirmed on Sunday (April 21, 2024) that the House of Representatives is awaiting the arrival of the current year’s budget schedules during this month.

Al-Atwani said in a statement received by Baghdad Today, “The Finance Committee is awaiting the arrival of the 2024 budget schedules during this month, in order to discuss them and approve their allocations.” 

On the other hand, Al-Atwani stressed that “Parliamentary Finance is keen to support and encourage the private sector and provide incentives to attract investment companies.”

Last March, Finance Minister Taif Sami announced that the tables had been completed and sent to the Council of Ministers for the purpose of voting on them, according to an official statement.   LINK

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Clare:  From Dammam to Najaf.. Saudi Arabia announces an increase in flights with Iraq

4/26/2024

Saudi Civil Aviation announced that it will operate direct flights to Iraq, starting next June 1.

The Saudi Civil Aviation said in a statement followed by {Al-Furat News} agency, “Based on the national strategy for the aviation sector in the Kingdom, which aims to double the response capacity and reach more than 330 million passengers annually, and more than 250 destinations in the world, and as an extension of the close relations that...

Connecting the Kingdom with the sister Republic of Iraq, we announce the operation of direct flights from the city of Dammam in the Kingdom to the city of Najaf in the Republic of Iraq, in addition to flights to both the cities of Baghdad and Erbil in the Republic of Iraq, starting on Saturday, June 1, 2024.   LINK

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Clcare: The Association of Private Banks appreciates the efforts of the government and the Central Bank to create understandings with the Treasury, the Federal Bank, and international banks

4/26/2024

The head of the Iraqi Private Banks Association, Wadih Al-Handal, participated in the Arab Economic Security Forum, which was organized by the Union of Arab Banks in Beirut.

Al-Handal said in his speech, “The forum is being held in complex circumstances and geopolitical changes taking place in the region, and the Arab banking sector has begun to be affected, starting with the State of Iraq,” adding that Iraq is still facing major challenges, at various economic levels, including the deprivation of the Iraqi private banking sector.

 From the use of the dollar, which exceeded half the number of banks operating inside the country, which is a very dangerous indicator, despite the efforts of Iraqi government and private institutions to comply with local and international anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws, but for the first time we are witnessing a clear targeting of the sector that has begun to affect banking services inside the country, It undermines citizen confidence and hinders the expansion of financial inclusion.

He added that these challenges facing the banking sector reaffirm the prominent role played by the Union of Arab Banks, international organizations and Arab banks in coordinating positions and confronting dangers together, noting that our meeting is taking place. "It represents an opportunity for cooperation and agreement on a work roadmap for the future, as targeting the Iraqi banking sector will not stop within its borders, and may expand at any moment to other countries in light of the regional turmoil."

Al-Handal pointed out that “the Association of Private Banks is working with the Iraqi government, the Central Bank, and some local and international institutions, to save the banking sector, and return banks deprived of dealing in dollars to their activities, but this is not enough, but rather requires continuing cooperation with the Arab and foreign banking sector, because the stage of merging... The Iraqi banking sector with its Arab counterpart must begin quickly, and we are taking great strides in this direction, especially since Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani held dialogues in Washington with the American President and other government officials, who announced in a joint statement the possibility of a group of Iraqi banks returning to dealing. in dollars and support the private banking sector.”

Al-Handal appreciated the efforts of the Iraqi government and the Central Bank of Iraq to create deeper understandings with international banks, the Federal Reserve, and the US Treasury to expand the integration of the Iraqi banking sector into the global financial system, in addition to supporting the Iraqi dinar, which led to a gradual rise in its value.

He pointed out that Iraq is witnessing great development in the transition to electronic government and the adoption of electronic payment, and this is what leads to the growth of the digital economy, especially since there is a trend within the country to increase the number of electronic banks, to keep pace with technological development and increase performance.LINK

Clare: With the participation of the Association of Private Banks, investment opportunities are on the table of a Jordanian-Iraqi economic forum next May

4/26/2024  Baghdad

The activities of the Economic Forum for Financial, Industrial and Commercial Partnerships between Iraq, Jordan and the region will begin on the fifth of next May, organized by the Iraqi Business Council in Amman, amid great official interest and broad participation from the public and private sectors in the two countries and countries in the region.

 According to a statement by the Council, the ministers of industry and electricity from Iraq will participate in the forum, which is organized by the Council in cooperation with the Jordanian and Amman Chambers of Industry, and will be opened at the King Hussein Convention Center in the Dead Sea region, along with ministers from Jordan, business owners, investors, and Arab and foreign companies.

Participating in the forum are also the National Investment Authority in Iraq, the Arab Businessmen Union, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, the Association of Information and Communications Technology Companies (Intaj), the Association of Iraqi Private Banks, the Jordanian Banks Association, and the Jordanian Corporation for Economic Enterprise Development. (JEDCO), and the Jordanian free and development zones.

 The Council organizes the two-day forum, which includes an exhibition for companies and bilateral meetings with decision-makers from the two countries, on the occasion of the Kingdom’s celebrations of the silver jubilee of His Majesty King Abdullah II assuming his constitutional powers.

 The forum's working sessions focus on the most prominent investment opportunities in Jordan and Iraq, the prospects for commercial and industrial opportunities in the two countries, the vision of economic modernization, investment in Iraq, investment opportunities in the region, in addition to investment opportunities in the Jordanian free and development zones.

 The sessions also focus on the role of the banking sector in providing financial facilities to the industrial, energy, mining, transportation and infrastructure sectors, the role of international institutions in providing financial financing for investment projects, and presenting success stories of Jordanian and Iraqi investment companies.

The Forum seeks to enhance regional integration by building economic interconnection, enhancing cooperation in various sectors, building long-term partnerships, creating sustainable partnerships, deepening mutual understanding between participating countries, and building a common vision for the future of economic prosperity and development in the region.  LINK

KTFA Thurs. Night CC: “FRANK26….4-25-24……A SLEW OF ARTICLES”

KTFA

Thursday Night Conference Call

FRANK26….4-25-24……A SLEW OF ARTICLES

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

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

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

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

KTFA Wed. Night CC: “FRANK26…4-24-24….WELCOME WALKINGSTICK”

KTFA

Wednesday Night Conference Call

“FRANK26…4-24-24….WELCOME WALKINGSTICK”

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

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

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUUAquKT3DI”

KTFA Tues. Night CC:“FRANK26….4-23-24…..SAT PHONE CALL”

KTFA

Tuesday Night Conference Call

“FRANK26….4-23-24…..SAT PHONE CALL”

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

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

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H4AbfyqiyI

KTFA Mon. Night CC: FRANK26….4-22-24….ALAK NOT SUDANI

KTFA

Monday Night Conference Call

FRANK26….4-22-24…..ALAK NOT SUDANI

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

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… ORANGE= IMPLEMENTATION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDEk3w0PIHg

KTFA Sunday Night CC: “FRANK26…4-21-24……ALAK TALKS”

KTFA

Late Sunday Night Video

FRANK26…4-21-24……ALAK TALKS

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

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

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE8FsT7777w

KTFA Sat. Night CC: “FRANK26…..4-20-24……our team’s words come to life !”

KTFA

Late Saturday Night Conference Call

FRANK26…..4-20-24……our team’s words come to life !

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

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

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

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

Some “Saturday News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 4-20-2024

KTFA:

Clare:  Iraq preparing to amend its budget law

4/20/2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Khalil Ghazi, A member of the Iraqi parliament's finance committee, revealed to Kurdistan24 that the budget amendment for 2024 has been finalized by the Council of Ministers and is now awaiting the return of the Iraqi Prime Minister from Washington for final review.

Iraq's budget deficit has increased by 16 trillion dinars in the past year, bringing the estimated deficit for this year's budget bill to more than 80 trillion dinars.

The allocation of the budget to provinces in central and southern Iraq, especially those facing high poverty rates and service issues, has caused conflict among factions in parliament. These provinces are dissatisfied with the share of the budget allocated to them.

The Iraqi budget is composed of three main components: revenues, expenditures, and a budget deficit. Revenues include oil exports, taxes, and customs duties, while expenditures cover government spending in various sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and defense. The budget deficit occurs when expenditures exceed revenues, and it can be financed through borrowing or international aid.   LINK

Clare: Al-Sudani returns to Baghdad after concluding his official visit to America

4/24/2024

Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani returned to the capital, Baghdad, after concluding his official visit to the United States of America.

According to a statement issued by the Sudanese Media Office, the visit included a series of meetings, discussions, seminars, dialogue sessions and other activities, as follows:

■ Meeting with US President Mr. Joseph Biden

■ Receiving Secretary of State Anthony Blinken

■ Visiting the Pentagon headquarters and meeting with the Minister of Defense, Mr. Lloyd Austin

■ Receiving the Czech Prime Minister, Mr. Peter Fiala

■ Receiving the US Secretary of Homeland Security, Mr. Alejandro Mayorkas

■ Receiving the Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury, Mr. Wally Adeyemo

■ Sponsoring the signing of 18 memorandums of understanding in energy, economy, oil sector development and the pharmaceutical industry

■ Receiving a number of members of the House of Representatives from the Republican and Democratic parties

■ Receiving the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the US House of Representatives, Mr. Seth Molten

■ Receiving US Senator Democratic Senator Tim Kaine

■ Receiving US Senator Lindsey Graham

■ Receiving a number of former US ambassadors who served in Iraq.

■ Receiving the Chairman of the US Wheat Council, Mr. Vince Peterson

■ Receiving a JP Morgan delegation

■ Receiving the President of GE Vernova Energy Technology Company, Mr. Scott Strazik

■ Receiving a delegation from the American company Stellar Energy

■ Receiving a delegation from the American company General Dynamics

■ Receiving a delegation from the American company (Baker Hughes).

■ Receiving a delegation from Lockheed Martin, which is responsible for manufacturing F16 aircraft.

■ Receiving the President of the American company (Hanwell), Mr. Ken West

■ Receiving the President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, Mr. Ji Ibrahim, in Houston

■ A number of major American companies specialized in the field of oil and gas met in the city of Houston in a workshop

■ A meeting with an elite group of Iraqi businessmen in the US state of Michigan

■ Receiving a delegation from the Baker Institute for Energy Studies and Research in Houston

■ A meeting with representatives of research centers specialized in Iraq and the region in Washington

■ Dialogue at the Atlantic Council Foundation in Washington, DC

■ Dialogue seminar at Johns Hopkins University in Washington

■ Meeting with a group of the Iraqi community in Washington, DC

■ A meeting with the Iraqi community in the American city of Houston

■ Meeting a large crowd of the Iraqi community at the Islamic Forum in the American state of Michigan

■ Meeting with a group of the Iraqi community at the Iraqi Chaldean Center in the US state of Michigan

■ An artifact dating back to the Sumerian civilization (2900-3000 years BC) was received from the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

■ Receiving the family of American citizen Kayla Mueller, who was kidnapped by ISIS terrorist gangs in the Syrian city of Aleppo in 2013, and was liquidated in 2015.

■ A meeting with representatives and correspondents of a number of Western media outlets in Washington

■ Interview with CNN

■ Interview with the American newspaper The Washington Post

■ A press interview with Al-Monitor

■ Interview with the Wall Street Journal

■ A television interview with the American PBS channel

■ Visit the Iraqi Embassy in Washington, and meet its employees.  LINK

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Clare:  Al-Sudani announces the conclusion of his visit to the United States and summarizes it with these paragraphs

4/19/2024

Washington

Today, Saturday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani announced the conclusion of his visit to the United States.

Al-Sudani said, during a conference with journalists attended by a Al-Rabaa correspondent: @I thank the satellite channels that covered all aspects of the visit, including Al-Rabaa.

He added: "We reach the conclusion of our 6-day visit, which expressed the government's vision, and that the goal of achieving this transition is after we have overcome the concerns of the security phase."

He continued, "This visit witnessed the first meeting concerned with the implementation of the strategic framework agreements, and there will be periodic meetings."

He continued: "We stressed that the government is continuing to achieve economic reform by supporting the private sector by signing a number of agreements and contracts."

He continued: “During our tours and visits, we met with companies specialized in the fields of oil, gas and energy and reviewed investment opportunities,” adding: “We held important meetings with the US Treasury to complete financial and banking reforms and reached satisfactory solutions that address the conditions of the sanctioned banks.”

He stressed that "the impression from the Treasury on the Iraqi institutions was positive, given the record period of time spent in accordance with the recommended systems."

He pointed out that "the statement issued by the White House emphasized the committee's dialogue and its outcomes to end the mission of the international coalition after the justifications no longer exist, and the dialogues will continue."

Al-Sudani said: “Our meetings with the Iraqi community are part of our commitment to governmental responsibility, and they are a real wealth because of their competencies and minds that can serve the country.”

He explained, "The indicators are clear for the success of the visit in terms of the vision that was proven for the goals and agendas of the visit, and that the outcomes of the visit are now entering the follow-up phase, which is very important in order to translate the treaties and agreements we have reached into reality."   LINK

Clare: The Ministry of Finance specifies steps that must be taken before canceling the currency selling window in Iraq

4/20/2024

The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed, on Saturday, that the Central Bank of Iraq had taken a decision to cancel the currency sale window, indicating the necessity of taking steps prior to implementing this decision.

Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Hussein Moanis, told Shafaq News Agency, “There is a decision issued by the Central Bank to cancel the window for buying and selling foreign currency in the year 2024, but it did not specify the exact time to start the decision.”

He explained that "canceling the currency selling window is linked to the reliance of private banks on correspondence with international banks and the method of currency conversion."

This comes after the Central Bank of Iraq gave up its status as a “correspondent” and granted it to several foreign banks, a step with unclear definitions and results, and some observers have warned against it.

In November 2023, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, announced the start of importing dollars into the country through Iraqi bank accounts abroad.

Munis asserts that "this step must be preceded by an increase in the classification of Iraqi banks, and this is what qualifies them to deal with international banks, but the real problem that we face is that Iraqi banks do not have a correspondent and are not accredited outside the country."

The member of Parliamentary Finance pointed out that “the government and the Central Bank are seeking to strengthen and increase the classification of private banks,” indicating “an intention by the banks to engage in correspondence and external transfers.”   LINK

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Clare:  His financial advisor: Al-Sudani pledged to protect investors and the government is responsible for their actions

4/20/2024  Baghdad –

Mazhar Saleh, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Financial Affairs, announced today, Saturday, that Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani’s pledge to provide a positive business climate for investors from the United States is an essential factor in reducing and completely eliminating risk calculations, especially “added costs,” indicating that this pledge It will make the executive authority a direct supervisor of the work of foreign investors.

Saleh said in a statement to the official agency, followed by the 964 Network , that “the launch of the project to protect and maintain the investment environment in our country and improve government services for foreign investors, especially the investor sector from the United States, represents the launch of a package of government directions and its strong pledges that support the stability of foreign investment activity and in a way that serves the interest of development and progress.” And the economic prosperity in our country, without a doubt.”

He added that it is “a signal to provide opportunities for success for the work of investors, which requires providing a smooth and facilitating climate free of inherited bureaucratic obstacles that in the past delayed investment activity in our country and led to adding high and exceptional burdens and costs to the accounts of investment projects that have been called in the literature (the cost of Iraq), which It meant the cost of investment risks outside global measurements.”

He pointed out that “the Prime Minister’s pledge to provide a positive business climate for investors from the United States is an essential governmental factor in reducing risk calculations and eliminating them completely, especially the risks of the cost element added to the investment project itself, financially and temporally, which are aspects that investors were exposed to in the past and add prohibitive burdens and costs.” “.

He continued, “The Prime Minister’s pledge means that the executive authority will become the direct supervisor of the work of American investors in the selected investment fields in our country, and that the government’s protective frameworks that will be devoted to this purpose will become a legal and administrative tradition to protect investment activities, or what may be called: investment security and the protection of foreign investors.”

In our country in general and US investors in particular, this is a realistic and direct expression of the state’s strong will to provide investors with all the facilities required by the foreign investor in accordance with the contracts and obligations signed and legally enforceable when implementing their projects in our country.”   LINK

Friday Night KTFA CC: “Frank26…..4-19-24….HE SAID!!!”

KTFA

Friday Night Conference Call

FRANK26….4-19-24……HE SAID !!!

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

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

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPX52KEXfCw

“Iraq News” Posted by Clare at KTFA Friday 4-19-2024

KTFA:

Clare: Iraq’s prime minister on building a stronger relationship with the United States

FRI, APRIL 19, 2024 • 2:30 PM ET

1030 15TH ST NW

12TH FLOOR

WASHINGTON, DC 20005

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, the prime minister of Iraq, discusses his state visit to the United States.

https://youtu.be/gcEWYgmd5vc

Clare: Al-Sudani: Iraq is witnessing a new reality today in the private sector

4/19/2024

Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani met today, Friday, with an elite group of Iraqi businessmen residing in the American state of Michigan, as part of his official visit to the United States.

The businessmen reviewed their companies' specializations and businesses, and expressed their willingness to be in Iraq to pursue and participate in investment opportunities available in various sectors and contribute to building their country.

Al-Sudani stressed, during the meeting, that Iraq is witnessing a new reality today with regard to the private sector, explaining a series of practical steps taken by the government and the facilities it granted to the private sector. He also pointed out what has been accomplished at the level of financial and banking reform, which has increased the percentage of contracts that comply with the standards. The global rate reached 80% according to reports of international institutions.

He touched on the government's important projects in the field of the pharmaceutical industry and the housing sector, pointing to the start of establishing new residential cities, which include the construction of tens of thousands of housing units, the job opportunities they provide for young people, and the revitalization of the construction sector and dozens of related professions.

The Prime Minister urged Iraqi businessmen to seize the available investment opportunities and bring production lines to laboratories and factories in various specializations, noting that Iraq’s budget for the three years included, for the first time, providing sovereign guarantees to the private sector, in addition to establishing the Iraq Fund for Development, which will work with this. The sector is implementing vital and important projects, which contribute to moving the wheel of the economy and implementing the government’s vision for sustainable development and a strong and prosperous Iraq.  LINK

Ryan1216:  It’s not over until it’s over but It looks and feels like our train will come into the station at any moment now …. IMO. Thank you Frank and teams

DeepWoodz:  MOU’s and Sovereign Guarantees…..impossible without sovereign currency that has purchasing power. 

We’ve learned that Iraqs contracts have recently been adjusted so that payment is made in dinar. (I think I’m quoting that properly). If so, contracts in the billions with many foreign entities paid in dinar, would require assurances that the exchange rate would not move in a negative direction after contracts have been agreed to. It may even go so far as to give an exchange rate. 

If the rate were to move negatively, the foreign contractors would lose out because the value of the agreed upon amount in reflection to their home currency would also be less. That’s a no go. 

Im only reasoning this out in my head. Thoughts? Sounds freakin fantastic. 

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Clare:  Al-Sudani: Iraq is a country full of opportunities and its projects amount to 400 billion dollars

4/18/2024

Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani met on Thursday with a number of members of the Iraqi community in the city of Houston, Texas, USA, where he learned about their conditions and listened to their proposals and proposals, all of which serve the service of their country.

The Prime Minister indicated, in his speech, the government’s keenness to communicate with members of the Iraqi community everywhere, stressing the need for their capabilities and competencies in all fields, and announcing the imminent creation of a department for expatriates linked to the Office of the Prime Minister, for the purpose of following up on the conditions and requirements raised by members of the Council of Ministers. Iraqi communities.

He stated that Iraq today has regained its health, and is proceeding with confidence in the development taking place in the right direction, especially after the victory of the Iraqis through their brotherhood and cohesion over ISIS terrorism, a battle that united all segments of the Iraqi people and moved the country towards stability and development.

Al-Sudani stressed that Iraq today is embarking on the field of reconstruction, development, and completion of infrastructure, an image that may not reach the entire outside world, in addition to the economic and social renaissance that the country is witnessing.

He explained that his current visit to the United States comes to establish the foundations of partnership and permanent bilateral relationship between the two countries, in accordance with the sustainable interests of the two peoples, and that the government today has been able to achieve an advanced percentage in the government program, in a way that enhances the citizen’s confidence in the performance of the service and official agencies, strengthens the factors of stability, and pushes development projects and government priorities towards completion, implementation, and achieving the aspirations of citizens.

The Prime Minister stressed that Iraq is a country full of opportunities, and the size of the projects, as certified by international organizations, amounts to 400 billion dollars. At the end of his speech, he praised the Iraqi community in America, which he described as important and qualitative, and we are proud of its contributions and expect it to contribute to the reconstruction and prosperity of Iraq.   LINK

Clare:  Al-Sudani meets an elite group of members of the Iraqi community at the Iraqi Chaldean Center in the US state of Michigan

4/19/2024

Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani met, at dawn today, Friday (Baghdad time), with a number of members of the Iraqi community, who met at the Iraqi Chaldean Center in the city of Detroit, in the American state of Michigan.

Al-Sudani reiterated the government’s pride in all members of Iraqi communities everywhere, with their affiliation to their homeland, Iraq, across all spectrums, and with the initiatives they offer towards building the state, which prompts the government to communicate more with the community, especially as it carries the competencies, capabilities, and capabilities. Many human beings, in various scientific and humanitarian disciplines.

Al-Sudani pointed out that growth in Iraq is on track to achieve the priorities identified by the government in its programme, many of which have been achieved within a year and a half of the government’s life, in addition to adhering to the democratic system and the principles of freedom and human rights protected by the Constitution in many of its articles.

In his speech, Al-Sudani touched on the Iraqis’ victory over ISIS gangs, and the growing capabilities of our armed forces of all types, which was based on the cohesion of the Iraqi people despite all failed terrorist attempts to incite hatred among Iraqis. He reaffirmed respect for the authentic Christian component within the fabric of Iraqi society, and that the state A protector of this rich diversity in Iraq, and committed to supporting brotherhood, tolerance, coexistence, and everything that instills security and stability for the people of Mesopotamia throughout Iraq.

At the conclusion of the visit, Al-Sudani toured the center and viewed its permanent exhibition, which reflects the cultural, heritage and civilizational features of the Christian component in Mesopotamia. He also met with a number of Iraqi families residing in the diaspora.  LINK

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Clare:  Iraq’s prime minister heads to Michigan to meet Arab Americans at a tense time for the Middle East

by: JOEY CAPPELLETTI and TAREK HAMADA, Associated Press

Posted: Apr 18, 2024

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The leader of Iraq will travel to Michigan on Thursday following a sit-down with President Joe Biden to meet with the state’s large Iraqi community and update them on escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s weekend aerial assault on Israel.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s trip to both Washington and Michigan to discuss U.S.-Iraq relations had been planned well before Saturday’s drone and missile launches from Iran-backed groups. The visit has been thrust into the spotlight as tensions in the region escalate following the strike, which included drone and missile launches that overflew Iraqi airspace and others that were launched from Iraq by Iran-backed groups.

Michigan holds one of the largest populations of Iraqis in the nation and many local Democrats have pushed back against U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. The state holds the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the country.

The Iraqi prime minister is expected to land in the Detroit area Thursday evening and be met by local leaders, including Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and Assad I. Turfe, a deputy Wayne County executive. He will then travel to a mosque in Dearborn Heights to meet with Iraqi community members and officials to give an update on his meeting with Biden talking about the economic relations between Iraq and the U.S., according to Mohammed Al-mawla, a community member involved in the planning.

There are just over 90,000 residents in Michigan of Iraqi descent, the largest of any state, according to the most recent U.S. Census. In Wayne County, home to the cities of Detroit and Dearborn, 7.8% of residents identified of Middle Eastern and North African ancestry, alone or in any combination, the highest percentage of any U.S. county.

The concentration of those residents in the outskirts of Detroit has led to multiple visits to the area from officials engaged in Middle Eastern relations.   LINK

"Iraq News" Posted by Clare at KTFA Thursday 4-18-2024

KTFA:

Clare:  Al-Sudani arrives in Houston to complete his visit to the United States

4/18/2024

Today, Thursday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani arrived in Houston to complete his visit to the United States.

Our correspondent said, "The Sudanese arrived in the state of Houston to complete his visit to the United States."

Last Saturday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani began a visit to Washington, DC, at the invitation of US President Joe Biden.   LINK

Clare:  Al-Ardawi: The Sudanese government seeks to liberalize the Iraqi dinar and stabilize the economy

4/17/2024

The political analyst, Abbas Al-Ardawi, confirmed that the visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani to Washington came to liberalize the Iraqi dinar and stabilize the economy.

Al-Ardawi said {to Al-Furat News} that: “The visit comes in a very heated situation and everyone is awaiting its outcomes, and the Sudanese carries a large team of economists and investors and carries ideas and projects that move towards consolidating the relationship with the American side and transferring it from the process of guardianship to friendship and opening files and outlets through which the relationship can be framed.” "In a way that allows Iraq to assume its pivotal role in the region." 

He added, "Everyone realizes the importance of Iraq from all aspects and the necessity of it standing on its feet after 20 years of political conflict."

Al-Ardawi continued, "The Sudanese government seeks to invest and attract investors and is moving seriously towards the path of development and trying to transfer the scope of the problems in the region through conferences it held in the region or that preceded this meeting, and the necessity of moving the region from a stage of conflict to a stage of dialogue."

Wafaa Al-Fatlawi   LINK

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Clare:  Al-Sudani stresses the necessity of dialogue with the US Treasury, the Federal Bank, and the International Monetary Fund

4/17/2024

The Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, stressed on Wednesday the necessity of continuing the dialogue with the US Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the International Monetary Fund.

This came while Al-Sudani received, at his residence in the American capital, Washington, the President of JPMorgan Bank, Masha Klovksi, and his accompanying delegation, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency.

The meeting witnessed a discussion of the Iraqi government’s efforts to implement financial and banking reforms, in light of the path it is taking towards improving the economic reality and achieving development, as well as discussing the government’s measures in developing the government banking sector, through its contracts with major international consulting companies specialized in banking reform and encouraging banks. To open accounts with foreign banks; To be correspondent banks, according to a plan aimed at dispensing with the electronic platform at the end of this year.

Al-Sudani stressed that it is not possible to work in any development sector without reform steps for the banking sector, stressing the need to continue dialogue with the US Treasury, the US Federal Reserve, the International Monetary Fund, and other international financial institutions.    LINK

Clare:  Sudanese reveals the volume of exchange with America

4/18/2024  Baghdad

Today, Thursday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani announced the introduction of a law to address the challenges of the private sector, and while he indicated that 80% of transfers are proceeding in accordance with international standards, according to the US Treasury Department, he confirmed that Iraq is moving for the first time towards establishing a fixed platform to receive liquefied gas.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office, received by Al-Iqtisad News, stated that “Al-Sudani met in Washington, on Wednesday evening (Baghdad time), with a number of presidents and representatives of major American companies, in a session held by the American Chamber of Commerce.”

The statement added, "The meeting included a dialogue session with the attendees, where the Prime Minister explained a number of questions that were raised during the meeting, related to the investment environment in Iraq and the facilities provided by the government to the private sector."

 During the meeting, the Prime Minister sponsored "the signing ceremony of a number of memorandums of understanding between the Ministries of Electricity and Oil and the Iraq Fund for Development, with American institutions and companies. Similar memorandums of understanding were also signed between the Iraqi private sector and American companies in the fields of energy and the pharmaceutical industry."

The Prime Minister pointed out, during his speech, “the openness of the investment environment in Iraq to attract reputable international companies, to participate in the economic renaissance and infrastructure projects that Iraq is witnessing, in addition to the package of financial, banking and administrative reforms that the government initiated and a high percentage of which was completed during the year.” And half a year old.”

Al-Sudani said during the signing ceremony of memorandums of understanding with major American companies: “The outcome of the discussions and understandings with the American side was the necessity of continuing to develop bilateral relations in various economic, social and security sectors.”

He added: "We agreed to strengthen the relationship, stimulate the private sector, and support the work of American companies in Iraq," stressing that "Iraq is witnessing remarkable stability despite the challenges in the region, and we are working to distance it from hotbeds of conflict and escalation."

He explained, "The government has made important strides in economic reforms and implementing major projects that contribute to solving problems. We have also presented to Parliament a law that addresses the challenges facing the private sector."

He pointed out, "According to the US Department of the Treasury, 80% of transfers are in accordance with international standards, and we are working to complete the remaining percentage," adding, "We have completed the unified treasury account and the integrated banking system, modernizing collections and customs reforms, and redirecting support in the right direction."

He stressed, "Our support for the private sector is an approach we are following, and for the first time we have granted sovereign guarantees to it to support projects," pointing out, "The Iraq Fund for Development aims to involve the private sector, and addresses bureaucracy and routine for entering companies."

He pointed out, "Conducting tax and administrative reforms related to registering company branches, to provide an attractive investment environment," explaining that "the volume of exchange between Iraq and the United States does not exceed 10 billion dollars."

He stressed, "Developing a comprehensive vision for the optimal investment of oil and gas, and the sixth round of licensing related to natural gas fields, is being presented for the first time," noting that "there is a plan to reach gas self-sufficiency and stop imports within 3-5 years."

He pointed out “introducing integrated projects in 6-8 fields throughout the governorates, according to a model for developing oil, using associated gas, and establishing an electrical station and a petrochemical industry in the same location,” explaining that “Iraq is moving towards establishing a fixed platform to receive liquefied gas for the first time, and this is an opportunity presented.” In front of American companies and other companies.”

He pointed out, "A contract was signed with KBR to prepare a preliminary study on the fixed platform, for the purpose of receiving and exporting gas in the future."   LINK