KTFA Members “News and Views” Saturday 12-4-2021

KTFA:

Samson Iraqi intelligence thwarts an attempt to smuggle the director of the Ahli United Bank through Baghdad airport

4th December, 2021

An informed security source said, on Saturday, that the Iraqi intelligence service thwarted an attempt to smuggle the director of the Ahli United Bank through Baghdad Airport.

The source told (Baghdad Today), "The Iraqi intelligence service managed to thwart the attempt to smuggle the director of the Ahli United Bank through Baghdad International Airport."

He added, "The smuggling attempt took place in exchange for sums of money, but private information from the Iraqi intelligence service led to the arrest of the director."

And he added, "The aforementioned person has been subject to travel ban orders due to financial embezzlement through forged instruments." LINK

DeepWoodz:  A financial official reveals the dollar exchange rates in the 2022 budget

12/04/2021 10:15:14

The former director of the Financial Supervision Bureau, "the dollar exchange rates remain unchanged in the 2022 budget."  LINK

IMO Investopedia : Dual or Multiple Exchange Rates

snippet…

When faced with a sudden shock to its economy, a country can opt to implement a dual or multiple foreign-exchange rate system. With this type of system, a country has more than one rate at which its currency is exchanged. So, unlike a fixed or floating system, the dual and multiple systems consist of different rates, fixed and floating, that are used for the same currency during the same period of time.

In a dual exchange rate system, there are both fixed and floating exchange rates in the market. The fixed rate is only applied to certain segments of the market, such as "essential" imports and exports and/or current account transactions. In the meantime, the price of capital account transactions is determined by a market-driven exchange rate (so as not to hinder transactions in this market, which are crucial to providing foreign reserves for a country).

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The use of multiple exchange rates has been seen as an implicit means of imposing tariffs or taxes. For example, a low exchange rate applied to food imports functions like a subsidy, while the high exchange rate on luxury imports works to "tax" people importing goods which, in a time of crisis, are perceived as non-essential. On a similar note, a higher exchange rate in a specific export industry can function as a tax on profits.

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Samson:  Corruption Topples Directors Of Departments And Departments In Diwaniyah

4th December, 2021

Diwaniyah Governor Zuhair Ali Al-Shaalan revealed, on Saturday, the dismissal of directors of departments and divisions due to financial and administrative corruption that has exhausted citizens, while stressing that the local government still gives the file of providing basic services that citizens need a priority.

Al-Shaalan said in an interview seen by "The Information", that "the local government still gives the file of providing basic services that the citizen needs a priority in its work program," noting that "the service departments continue to implement self-effort campaigns that include improving the level of services in residential neighborhoods.

He added, "It was agreed with the Italian ambassador to provide adequate facilities for Italian investment companies wishing to experience the investment in the province, including the implementation of irrigation projects, in addition to achieving advanced steps with the State of Sweden in activating investment by attracting its companies to obtain various investment opportunities, especially in the agricultural sector."

He pointed out that "a great success has been achieved in implementing the partnership experience between the province and the State of Sweden, which culminated in the announcement of Diwaniyah as the first Iraqi province to adopt electronic government in the field of money," stressing "the existence of a well-thought-out plan by the local government aimed at achieving a breakthrough in openness to developed countries to benefit from their capabilities and expertise to improve The economic and urban reality.

Regarding the agricultural issue and the repercussions of water scarcity, Al-Shaalan said that “the problem of water scarcity is dangerous for farmers and their families on the one hand, and the local market and citizens on the other hand,” noting “the need to implement modern irrigation projects that ensure that quantities of water reach the areas covered by the agricultural plan, in addition to the implementation of many Drilling works, cleaning streams and rivers, and implementing a large number of agricultural violations to preserve the water quota.

In the field of confronting financial and administrative corruption, Al-Shaalan said: “The local government has taken strict measures to eliminate administrative and financial corruption that has exhausted the citizens, as the measures related to oversight have been intensified remarkably and many directors of departments and departments have been dismissed due to corruption, negligence or negligence and others. The outlets concerned with citizens’ complaints and reported cases of corruption were activated to address it as soon as possible.”   LINK

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Samson:  Al-Kazemi’s advisor clarifies the details of the proposed sovereign wealth fund

4th December, 2021

The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, explained, today, Saturday, the details of the proposed sovereign wealth fund to be established in Iraq, while specifying the entity responsible for its management.

Saleh told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The world's sovereign wealth funds were established at least 6 decades ago and were built on the fact that the returns from the resources of the countries producing and exporting raw materials as financial surpluses have become an important part of capital wealth that can be invested, maximized and continuously increasing instead of consuming it with budgets. Large operational budgets in general annual budgets are mostly unproductive.”

He added, “The philosophy of defining those returns from raw resources such as oil and other depleted natural wealth is not necessarily for consumer spending, but rather it is a capital asset in itself, which requires their sustainability and maximizing their growth by investing for the benefit of the nation in a deep cumulative way for wealth itself and across generations, and based on that and in order to serve capital assets.

The current resulting from the revenues of raw materials, including oil wealth, the majority of the oil-producing countries in particular have established sovereign investment funds from their surpluses from oil revenues and employed them as capital in various investment assets, whether financial or real and generating income to increase the capital in them as a growing wealth for the benefit of the people “.

He continued: “Therefore, double returns in the form of income will accumulate within the investment of the resources of these sovereign funds in the form of an expanding capital wealth, realizing at the same time that the sovereign fund is an investment fund in nature, and thus the sovereign fund goes to a lofty goal, which is to maximize the nation’s depleted resources for the benefit of sustainable development goals from during the intergenerational continuation of economic prosperity.” He stressed that "the current generation should provide supplies for sustainable welfare for the next generation and in accordance with the best investment practices for the assets that will be included in the sovereign investment portfolio and within the framework of the sovereign wealth fund itself," explaining that "the sovereign wealth fund is often managed by the executive authority as a direct sovereign entity. And in cooperation between the country’s financial and monetary authorities, and the performance of the sovereign fund is monitored by legislators in the House of Representatives within the country’s legislative assets and control rules.”

He pointed out that “one of the most important themes that were discussed on the subject of the Iraqi sovereign fund in a symposium he held at the House of Wisdom last September focused on the dilemma (How can a deficit economy over the last 40 years establish a sovereign wealth fund?… Sovereign funds are a phenomenon that has emerged.” in surplus economies in general).
And he added: “The answer to this question is the adoption of a sovereign wealth fund directed to real investment inward within the framework of exceptional strategic economic and social development and in a different administrative style, which requires the presence of the state’s economic sovereignty again in the management of the economic project by moving the idle projects and idle wealth of the public and private sectors, that is, in partnership with the market and foreign investment, and this will lead to moving and developing the national economy and transforming it into an economy of sustainable surplus on investment activities that lead to diversification of the sectors of the economy.”

He noted that "the proposed inward-oriented sovereign fund is managed through a system similar to holding companies, as it was noted that the existing 80 sovereign funds around the world differ from state to state and from fund to fund."

He concluded his speech by saying: “In order to avoid legislative difficulties, it was proposed that the Iraqi Fund for Foreign Development in the Iraqi Ministry of Finance be the legal basis for managing the next sovereign wealth fund for Iraq after agreeing on the style, model and nature of the fund, whose money will necessarily be from the state’s wealth outside the general budget, mostly and in partnership financial and administrative with the natural and intangible wealth of persons.  LINK

Samson:  For the first time since the Abbasid era... Will Iraq witness a majority government free of interference?

4th December, 2021

The British "Middle East Monitor" website concluded in a report that the last time Iraq was free of external interference was during the Abbasid era, indicating that if the majority government was formed "neither Western nor Eastern", it would be the first in Iraq's history Contemporary as "independent".

And after the British report, translated by Shafak News Agency, pointed out that Iraqi patriots naturally demand that their country be free of foreign interference, which was expressed about the increasing political influence of Iran, as well as through perceptions of Iraq as a client state of the United States, he added that Iraq Since its recent history as a state, it has not really been an independent state.

The report indicated that it is possible to go back in history to pre-modern history, specifically to the Abbasid Caliphate (750 AD - 1258 AD) in the region that represents Iraq today and which was truly independent.

Despite this, the report pointed out that the Abbasid rulers were eventually marginalized and turned into a mere symbolic force in name only, with the real authority ceded to the dominant princes and ministers from the Persians and Seljuk Turks, as a result of the destabilization of the Abbasid rule starting in the middle of the ninth century.

The report explained that after a series of conquests and rule by successive dynasties, from the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, Iraq, especially Baghdad, changed control over it between the competing Ottoman and Safavid empires, and Iraq became a buffer zone between the Sunni and Shiite powers in the Middle East.

He continued, "When the Ottomans recaptured Baghdad and most of Iraq from the Safavids for the second time during the year 1638, it did not return to Persian control again, and remained under the control of the Ottomans until it fell under British rule in 1918 during the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire after World War I." .

The report added that an Iraqi kingdom was formed in the face of the revolutions across the country against the British mandate in 1920, a year later under the rule of the "foreign" King Faisal who was appointed by the British, in light of the concentration of power in the hands of the educated minority Sunni elite, as was the case in the era of The Ottomans.

After noting that the supposed "independence" of the kingdom from Britain did not occur until 1932, the report considered that "this does not mean that it was a sovereign country, since Britain, which intervened during World War II due to a pro-Nazi coup in 1941, restored The inauguration of King Faisal,” and the monarchy continued until the 1958 military coup that consolidated Iraq as a republic and declared the end of British influence in the country.

The report considered that Abdul Karim Qassem, the leader of the "July 14 Revolution", became the first prime minister of the republic, and it can be said that he was the first independent leader of contemporary Iraq.

The report saw that Abdul Karim Qasim's decision to withdraw from the pro-Western Baghdad Pact, establish stronger relations with the Soviet Union and rely heavily on the support of the Iraqi Communist Party, quickly contributed to its downfall, driven by resentment by Arab nationalists and the outbreak of a Kurdish revolution.

He considered that "there was no one more concerned than the United States, which had begun to show more interest in the region at the height of the Cold War, and the CIA had planned to assassinate Qassem, with a failed attempt in 1959, in which they participated, Saddam Hussein, the young man from among a group From five other Ba'athists, then Qassem was overthrown and executed in 1963 after the Ba'athist coup suspected of being supported by the CIA.

While the report referred to the beginning of Saddam Hussein’s reign in power, the outbreak of the revolution in Iran, and then the beginning of the Iraq-Iran war, the report pointed out that Iraq was again a buffer zone of some kind, this time, with the support of the West and the Gulf sheikhs, to serve as a Sunni fortress against Iran's threat to export its revolution in the region.

After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the report said that for the first time in its modern history, power shifted to the Shiite majority, and the government sided with Iran, which welcomed the removal of Saddam and glimpsed an opportunity to exercise its influence in the country. He noted that "the issue of Iraq's sovereignty and weakness as a state has remained a constant aspect of the post-2003 era," explaining, for example, that Turkey and Iran have repeatedly launched air strikes against Kurdish militias in the north. He pointed to Iran's role in supporting the Popular Mobilization Forces to counter the emergence of ISIS and its control over 40% of Iraqi lands, defeating it regionally and preventing it from reaching Baghdad and the important Shiite shrine cities in the south.

After pointing out that there was a question about the reason for the existence of the US embassy complex, the largest in the Vatican, and the largest in the world, the report considered that events show that "Iraq is still not an independent country since it gained independence and is still highly vulnerable to foreign interference in its affairs," recalling an assassination attempt. Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.

The report concluded by noting that after Muqtada al-Sadr's meeting with the Shiite forces that challenged the election results, al-Sadr said on "Twitter" that the next Iraqi majority government would be free of foreign interference. The report stressed that "if this turns out to be true, it will be unprecedented in the contemporary history of Iraq."  LINK

MilitiaMan and KTFA Members Tuesday Night "The Big Surprise" 11-30-2021

KTFA

Jeff12:  IMO, This article is a DOOZY when you do the math. Comes out to $3.67. WOW.

Samson:  Kuwait confirms receiving $1.47 billion in war compensation from Iraq

30th November, 2021

The National Bank of Kuwait reported today, Tuesday, that Kuwait has received $1.47 billion in war compensation from Iraq.

The bank said that "Kuwait received compensation payments from the United Nations Committee from Iraq for the war, amounting to 1.47 billion dollars (0.4 billion dinars) in April, July and October of this year."

He added, "The remaining amount is 629 million dollars for final payment."  LINK

MilitiaMan:  What is surprising is they tell us that war compensation payments of $1.47 billion dollars reflects .4 billion  Dinar. We cannot just assume that they are using IQD and not KWD in this context. But, since they typically show equivalency and the payor is Iraq to Kuwait in dollar terms, then the amount of $1.47 billion coming from Iraq to Kuwait would be from Iraq using their money in equivalency, as they are the ones owing the payments and not the other way around.

So, by that this looks to be a potential leak and front running imo.. As if the assumption is correct?

We shall see at some point if this represents an international payment to Iraq with an internationally accepted Iraq Dinar with real value..

The math supports a big surprise. lol. 

The 2022 has to have the details of the 2019 FMLA, 2020, 2021 budgets sorted prior to opening the 2022 budget, imo..

 Thus, this surprise that is apparently about  to happen is economically tracked and that plans will be changed due to the surprise in an exchange rate.

Budgets are about money.. So we can wonder, do they mean that a new exchange rate (that is  to be the opposite of the present rate), as being the surprise?

I would suspect that frankly, yes!!! imo It is possible..

With having new revenue streams coming on line at the borders, ports, agriculture, tourism, 500 billion in potential money recently clawed back, a new digital platform on line, new multi-currency Visa Cards, new digital payments and settlements across borders and new digital communications data storing place, I suspect that there are good reasons out to support that change is coming. imo ~ MM

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Samson:  Adviser to the Prime Minister: The 2022 budget is guarded by surprises and includes appointments

30th November, 2021

An economic advisor to Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi revealed that the financial budget for 2022 includes job grades and appointments.

Mazhar Muhammad Salih told {Euphrates News}: "The economic fears about the 2022 budget are due to the pandemic, and all economic tracks and plans are changed by surprises."

And he indicated that "the 2022 budget is protected for all surprises and is rationally planned," noting that "there are laws that obligate appointments, and it is certain that the budget includes them." LINK

Ross:  the current KWD is worth $3.31 US. Does that help imply that this is actually IQD and not KWD ??  

IAM:  Excellent point, Ross.

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p>Hello, World!

KTFA Members "News and Views" 11-30-2021 "Any Time Mode"

KTFA:

Kuwait confirms receiving $1.47 billion in war compensation from Iraq

30th November, 2021

The bank said that "Kuwait received compensation payments from the United Nations Committee from Iraq for the war, amounting to 1.47 billion dollars (0.4 billion dinars) in April, July and October of this year." LINK

Deepwoodz:  $1.47 usd / 0.4 iqd = 3.675

ImoThe wording is clear. This ain’t no typo. Frank said they are paying their debts in dinar. Which in this article…..amounts to 1.47B dollars. 

Oh yea, and been goin on for a minute…building trust=value. Thank you FRANK!!!

Tell me it ain’t so!!!

Zeeman:  deepwoodz could that be possible

Deepwoodz:  Imo…If the article is accurate then YES. Since it’s from Kuwait I’d say they aren’t as adept at keeping Iraq’s secret as Iraq is. 

Besides, we’ve been taught here at KTFA that
1) they are paying using their currency
2) Supply and demand will demand trust which increases value
3) Don’t you have a gut feeling something HUGE is about to happen? I do. (HOLY SPIRIT)
4) Glory days
5) digital transformation complete
6) higher than 3? 4-5? I don’t know but CoM (Council of Ministers)  had a vote the other day about trade mechanisms between all importing and exporting countries and an audit.

 Sounds like a vote for another rate change to me.

At the very least it’s to confirm the past years results with the existing rate. Before the release maybe?     Results have been….silent.

Got to have an exchange rate to do international business.

The exchange rate will determine the prices of all imports and exports. 

7)etc…………………………

PS…..the more I consider the articles that mentioned things like trade exchange agreements, countries can have more than one exchange rate, dual books, secrecy, and the like, the more it seems to make sense.

Does this make sense? Keep the build up of the new rate secret from the citizens, and the world at large, until you have given that new rate time to stabilize and see if all your planning actually comes together successfully.(Before the announcement)

In other words, you have two rates for the last year. One that you use for trade that’s secret(high rate). This allows you to buy building supplies and do contracts to your advantage.

The lower rate has to stay until you know what you’re doing works. Prove it to the institutions that can make you or break you, like the IMF and World Bank. After all, you’re jockeying for the top spot and it’s important to the world. 

Just some thoughts as they begin to roll…

Popeye7:  Good analysis Deep... Imo... Before the end of the year for the release, (as others have declared on this forum), would be the most logical... In order to endure that they can hit the ground running in early 2022 with the new budget... So much happening right now that shows we are in any time mode... Again imo...

Samson:  After 40 days of polling, the announcement of the final results of the Iraqi parliamentary elections

30th November, 2021

The Independent High Electoral Commission announced on Tuesday the final results of the early legislative elections that took place on October 10.

The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Jalil Adnan Khalaf, said in a press conference followed by Shafak News Agency, "After the judiciary completed all the appeals, it made a change in the preliminary results, and it was one seat each in: Baghdad, Nineveh, Erbil, Kirkuk, and Basra," to include the total of five seats that were changed. He added that the total number of voters reached more than 22 million, adding that the number of voters reached more than nine million.

Khalaf explained that the number of voters in the elections amounted to 44 percent of the total number of voters.

The members of the IHEC read out the names of the 320 election winners in all governorates of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.

The Sadrist bloc topped the final election results by obtaining 73 seats, while the "Progress" coalition led by Muhammad al-Halbousi won 37 seats, and the State of Law coalition led by Nuri al-Maliki won 33 seats.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party came fourth with 31 seats, while the Al-Fateh Alliance led by the Secretary-General of Badr Organization Hadi Al-Amiri came fifth, with 17 seats, and the Kurdistan Alliance came sixth with 17 seats, with a difference in the number of votes between it and the Al-Fateh Alliance.

The "Azm" coalition won 14 seats, the Extension Alliance won 9 seats, and the New Generation Movement got 9 seats, while the "Canon Sunrise" got 5 seats, the National Contract got 4 seats, the state forces also 4, and the masses of our identity 3 seats, and the movement Three seats were also settled for Islah, the Iraq Turkmen Front one seat, while 16 political parties won one seat each, in addition to the independents winning 43 seats.  LINK

Godlover:  Excellent news today on their election results. Once approved by the Federal Supreme Court, sworn in & seated, will bring the security & stability their country needs & we want to see, to move forward. I am encouraged by the possibility of parliament passing the 2022 budget, God willing by the end of this year.

Also Iraq's debt with Kuwait is becoming more newsworthy as of late. Some articles mentioned completely paying them off by the end of this year. Things certainly are lining up for a possible 2022 budget opening up in early 2022.

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Muqtada al-Sadr sends a brief message to the Electoral Commission after announcing the final results

30th November, 2021

The leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, commented on Tuesday, after announcing the final results of the 2021 parliamentary elections.

Al-Sadr said in a brief message to the Electoral Commission via Twitter, followed by NRT Arabiya, (November 30, 2021), " Thank you to the Electoral Commission."

The Electoral Commission published, earlier, the final position of the number of seats for political parties and alliances in the Iraqi parliament, after announcing the final results of the elections.

 The Sadrist bloc topped the list with 73 seats, while the coalition won 37 seats, while the State of Law coalition won 33 seats, and the following is the number of seats for the rest of the alliances and political parties in the Iraqi parliament during the current parliamentary session.  LINK

KTFA Monday Night CC "Full Circle" 11-29-2021

KTFA

KTFA Monday Night CC with Frank26

11-29-21….FULL CIRCLE

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

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Petra, MilitiaMan and Eddie in Iraq

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=iJ-yEPW1OWQ

MilitiaMan Sunday Night "First Of It's Kind" 11-28-2021

KTFA:

MilitiaMan:  I have to say the depth of this article is amazing. (see article below)  It is set to a theme of the FIRST OF IT"S KIND.. This is not the first item they tell us to be first of it's kind. 

 We have the Central Bank launching and digital platform was said to be the first of it's kind and the communications being digital too.  They are not just saying this.. They are doing it.

Having a multi currency VISA CARD for digital payments down to the ATM's..?

To be international requires a real value to their currency.. Being at a program rate is not something that is the first of it's kind.. lol

Being cleared as a DIGITAL DINAR across borders? That will be.. imo ! ~ MM

#1 "The Central Bank of Iraq announced the launch of the digital enrollment service, which is the first of its kind in Iraq. This system is working to transform Iraq into a country less dependent on cash, which enables the state to fight corruption, evasion and bureaucracy in financial transactions within banks operating in Iraq. Digitizing public finances enables governments to increase tax revenues, combat tax evasion, and help raise the efficiency and transparency of public procurement systems. "

#2  "Ishtar Gate Company and Visa have launched their cooperation by launching the Visa Platinum prepaid card "Blue Platinum", with services considered the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, at Visa's headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa in Dubai."

#3  "Karbala Hosts A Forum On Digital Communication, The First Of Its Kind In Iraq"

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Ishtar Gate Company and Visa have launched their cooperation by launching the Visa Platinum prepaid card "Blue Platinum", with services considered the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, at Visa's headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa in Dubai.

Ishtar Gate Company (Blue) is proud of being the first financial technology company (FinTech) in Iraq with its distinctive product, as it was able to provide a platinum card with new and unique services and make it accessible to all segments of Iraqi society as it simulates global financial progress and keeps pace with the aspirations of the Iraqi individual for a solid and advanced financial service that will enable him to It manages its financial accounts and payments electronically, and reduces its costs exceptionally, as the company was able, using modern technology, to make commissions for movements on sites free for users.

The cardholder will also enjoy the features of multi-currency, which will enable him to transfer currencies through the “Blue Cardholder” application at competitive prices, allowing him to use the card locally in the countries of those currencies, in addition to obtaining huge discounts provided by Visa International through its giant network of merchants around the world. This product represents the first cooperation with Visa International as a strategic partner in the Iraqi market.

Mr. Ali Al-Saeed, founder and CEO of Ishtar Gate Company, said: “We are proud today to launch this product, which represents a quantum leap in the prepaid card markets in the region. Our focus is to meet and keep pace with the development in users' needs for payment cards using new technology, and for being the first FinTech company in Iraq; We bear a great responsibility and we must continue to develop in this field to raise Iraq's name high in international forums. 

Soon, two other unique products will be launched in the region, the first targeting small and medium businesses inside Iraq and the second providing job opportunities for the unemployed. We also appreciate the role of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq in the process of starting to advance the development of electronic payment in Iraq and making the vision of the Central Bank of electronic payment at the level of global countries.

Mr. Rami Ishaq Al-Ajarmeh, Founder, Head of Information Technology and Executive Vice President of Ishtar Gate Company, said: “This unique product was the summary of the work of a creative and distinguished team of Iraqi youth, where creativity, innovation and modern technology were used, and currently the focus is on blockchain technology. Our goal is to lay the foundation stone for digital banks in Iraq and to supply banks that want to be distinguished with electronic and digital banking products and services.”

Mr. Mohanish Agni, General Manager of Visa for the Levant and Pakistan added: "Our partnership with Ishtar Gateway Company will provide digital solutions and capabilities in the field of payments, while promoting financial technology innovations and digital solutions to suit the needs of the local market to provide services in line with global trends.

We trust the role of This partnership is in providing the latest services that meet the needs of customers, while providing competitive advantages that encourage electronic payment systems. For financial technology companies, the Visa network is a key factor to distinguish their services because it helps to qualify the presence of their services on the scene and provide space for creativity, which helps provide new flows of experiences digital"

For his part, Mr. Mario Makari, General Manager of Visa in Lebanon and Iraq, expressed his pride in the fruitful cooperation with Ishtar Gate Company, pointing to Visa's constant keenness to provide its customers with the latest in credit card technology and payment technologies in general. He added, “These new cards enhance the company’s leadership in the world of payments and consolidate its presence as a reliable partner for financial institutions in the region, enabling them to serve their customers and provide them with benefits and services tailored to meet their needs.”

It is noteworthy that Ishtar Gateway Company for Financial Systems and Services and its trademark (Blue) is an Iraqi company registered in Iraq, holding a license to conduct electronic payment business from the Central Bank of Iraq No. (14) based on the Central Bank of Iraq Law No. (56) of 2004. The company is licensed To implement and facilitate electronic payment business in all parts of Iraq, and its scope of work includes: issuing prepaid cards through international payment companies, owning and publishing payment points and the ATM network, as well as providing various services to banks and facilitating the process of paying and collecting bills.

The company operates from its headquarters located in Baghdad / Al-Jadriya. The company is managed by a professional cadre specialized technically, commercially and financially in the field of electronic payment and technology systems working around the clock to put the best international practices and securely in the field of payment in the hands of the Iraqi citizen and at his disposal to develop the sector like the countries of the region and the world. Link

MilitiaMan Sunday PM "Ongoing Digital Transformation" 11-28-2021

KTFA:

MilitiaMan:  Parliamentary Finance in the previous parliament reveals a government insistence on the exchange rate and the duration of its stay

27th November, 2021

A member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee in theformer parliament, Sherwan Mirza, revealed on Saturday, the government's insistence on maintaining the current exchange rate of the dollar for another period.

Mirza said in an interview with "Mawazine News" that "there is a decision that accompanied the government's decision to change the dollar exchange rate for people with limited income, such as increasing salaries and inclusion of families with social care and increasing the vocabulary of the ration card, as well as supporting employees in accordance with the initiative of the Central Bank to purchase a plot of land or house or car.

He pointed out that "the government has not implemented any action or decision except to change the exchange rate," stressing that "keeping this price remains at least for another 3 years." 

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MilitiaMan:  I think I'll take this one with a grain of salt. The former parliament has not much weight or anything to say about current circumstances..

We all now there is a digital transformation that is on going in the world and that includes Iraq.

They even have multi currency cards in line for to better serve the locals and those they choose outside their borders.

For to have international relationships with currency in the digital world the Dinar will need to have it's REER (Real Effective Exchange Rate) in place imo..

That is not going to be three years from now. The CBI has not come this far for that.. Nope!!! ~ MM

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Ishtar Gate Company and Visa have launched their cooperation by launching the Visa Platinum prepaid card "Blue Platinum", with services considered the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, at Visa's headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa in Dubai.

  Ishtar Gate Company (Blue) is proud of being the first financial technology company (FinTech) in Iraq with its distinctive product, as it was able to provide a platinum card with new and unique services and make it accessible to all segments of Iraqi society as it simulates global financial progress and keeps pace with the aspirations of the Iraqi individual for a solid and advanced financial service that will enable him to It manages its financial accounts and payments electronically, and reduces its costs exceptionally, as the company was able, using modern technology, to make commissions for movements on sites free for users.

The cardholder will also enjoy the features of multi-currency, which will enable him to transfer currencies through the “Blue Cardholder” application at competitive prices, allowing him to use the card locally in the countries of those currencies, in addition to obtaining huge discounts provided by Visa International through its giant network of merchants around the world.This product represents the first cooperation with Visa International as a strategic partner in the Iraqi market.

 Mr. Ali Al-Saeed, founder and CEO of Ishtar Gate Company, said: “We are proud today to launch this product, which represents a quantum leap in the prepaid card markets in the region. Our focus is to meet and keep pace with the development in users' needs for payment cards using new technology, and for being the first FinTech company in Iraq; We bear a great responsibility and we must continue to develop in this field to raise Iraq's name high in international forums.

 Soon, two other unique products will be launched in the region, the first targeting small and medium businesses inside Iraq and the second providing job opportunities for the unemployed. We also appreciate the role of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq in the process of starting to advance the development of electronic payment in Iraq and making the vision of the Central Bank of electronic payment at the level of global countries.

 Mr. Rami Ishaq Al-Ajarmeh, Founder, Head of Information Technology and Executive Vice President of Ishtar Gate Company, said: “This unique product was the summary of the work of a creative and distinguished team of Iraqi youth, where creativity, innovation and modern technology were used, and currently the focus is on blockchain technology. Our goal is to lay the foundation stone for digital banks in Iraq and to supply banks that want to be distinguished with electronic and digital banking products and services.”

Mr. Mohanish Agni, General Manager of Visa for the Levant and Pakistan added: "Our partnership with Ishtar Gateway Company will provide digital solutions and capabilities in the field of payments, while promoting financial technology innovations and digital solutions to suit the needs of the local market to provide services in line with global trends. We trust the role of This partnership is in providing the latest services that meet the needs of customers, while providing competitive advantages that encourage electronic payment systems. For financial technology companies, the Visa network is a key factor to distinguish their services because it helps to qualify the presence of their services on the scene and provide space for creativity, which helps provide new flows of experiences digital"

For his part, Mr. Mario Makari, General Manager of Visa in Lebanon and Iraq, expressed his pride in the fruitful cooperation with Ishtar Gate Company, pointing to Visa's constant keenness to provide its customers with the latest in credit card technology and payment technologies in general. He added, “These new cards enhance the company’s leadership in the world of payments and consolidate its presence as a reliable partner for financial institutions in the region, enabling them to serve their customers and provide them with benefits and services tailored to meet their needs.”

It is noteworthy that Ishtar Gateway Company for Financial Systems and Services and its trademark (Blue) is an Iraqi company registered in Iraq, holding a license to conduct electronic payment business from the Central Bank of Iraq No. (14) based on the Central Bank of Iraq Law No. (56) of 2004. The company is licensed To implement and facilitate electronic payment business in all parts of Iraq, and its scope of work includes: issuing prepaid cards through international payment companies, owning and publishing payment points and the ATM network, as well as providing various services to banks and facilitating the process of paying and collecting bills.

The company operates from its headquarters located in Baghdad / Al-Jadriya. The company is managed by a professional cadre specialized technically, commercially and financially in the field of electronic payment and technology systems working around the clock to put the best international practices and securely in the field of payment in the hands of the Iraqi citizen and at his disposal to develop the sector like the countries of the region and the world.  Link

Friday Night KTFA CC "Pros and Cons" 11-26-2021

KTFA

KTFA Friday Night CC

11-26-21……PROS AND CONS

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

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Petra, MilitiaMan and Eddie in Iraq

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=fN-QCmT7-4I

Some "Friday Banking News" Posted by Samson 11-26-2021

KTFA:

Samson:  Indonesia's central bank speeds up digital currency issuance

26th November, 2021

Indonesia's central bank governor, Piri Wargio, said the bank will speed up the process of issuing the digital Indonesian rupiah, without providing a time frame for that, German news agency DPA reported.

Bloomberg Agency reported that Bank Indonesia plans to present the design of the idea next year, and is coordinating with 7 central banks to choose a suitable platform for this, either through blockchain, distributed balancing technology, or stablecoins.

Bank Indonesia is integrating the financing infrastructure with the money market, to support the digital currency plan.

The central bank prohibits financial institutions with Bank Indonesia permits from accepting cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, and has deployed supervisors to monitor their activities.LINK

Samson:  New confirmation of communications: We do not deal in dollars

11/26/2021 15:46:02

 The Ministry of Communications confirmed that it does not deal in US dollars in providing its own services.

The ministry's spokesman, Raad al-Mashhadani, told {Euphrates News}, "The Ministry of Communications is sovereign. It does not deal in dollars at all, but in Iraqi dinars, and this prompted us to provide a purely Iraqi service, which is (Viber to Home) in Iraqi dinars."

And he indicated that "the prices of calls for this service amounted from a landline fiber to the last 5 Iraqi dinars, and from a landline fiber to the last provinces, it is 10 dinars, and from my landline to a mobile phone is 50 dinars per minute," stressing that "these prices are supported by the Ministry of Communications."   LINK

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Samson:  Zwipe, Areeba pilot Biometric Payment Cards in Iraq

23rd November, 2021

Norwegian biometric authentication firm Zwipe is partnering with Areeba to pilot biometric payment cards based on Zwipe Pay ONE in Lebanon and Iraq.

According to a press release from Zwipe, these pilots reflect a strong and growing demand from issuers and processors across the region for next-generation contactless payment cards.

In these pilots, the biometric payment cards will be built on the Zwipe Pay ONE platform and delivered by Inkript, one of the leading EMV Card Manufacturers in the Middle East, which already provides cards to areeba and many issuers in the region.  LINK

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Samson:  Central Governor: Saudi Arabia will allow more digital banks

25th November, 2021

The Governor of the Saudi Central Bank, Fahd Al-Mubarak, said today, Thursday, at a financial forum in Riyadh, that the Kingdom will grant operating licenses to more digital banks.

This year, the Kingdom issued licenses for its first digital banks, STC Bank and the Saudi Digital Bank.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to come up with a low-cost digital central bank that simulates digital operations that would have a hedge of the real liquidity held in central banks, according to previous statements by Al-Mubarak.

Al-Mubarak indicated that some countries have started experimenting with these systems, and the Kingdom’s experience has a cross-digital currency project with the UAE, and there is a large project for financial technology in Saudi Arabia.

The governor of "Sama" explained that there is a unified currency for the clearing system between banks in the region, and in the Gulf region there is a currency exchange policy that is very similar to digital transactions and depends a lot on the dollar, and therefore "we have the ability more than any other region to move to digital currency at the level of the region."

Al-Mubarak said that we have experience with other partners in digital currencies for central banks, stressing that digital currencies will be within the banking system. He explained that the Kingdom now has about 32 financial technology companies operating in different sectors, whether financial payments, insurance or other activities, and we have an open banking program.   LINK

MilitiaMan Thursday PM "Acceleration!!" 11-25-2021

KTFA:

A former parliamentarian comments on the statements of the Minister of Finance regarding the dollar : He is sitting in an ivory tower   LINK

Finance issues an “important” clarification regarding the possibility of adjusting the dollar exchange rate

MilitiaMan:  These two articles above are opinion pieces imo.. They are not founded in solid economics. Printing more money as in the devaluation of 12/20/2020 is and was inflationary and created many issues some effectively short term good for a purpose, yet, long lived they are damaging.

The revaluation, noted above is missing the point. The point is the devaluation has run it's course and now it is time to reverse course and go to the market economy. They have had a year to endure the pain, that year is up.

Now is time to reverse course as a revaluation of the Dinar will have the opposite effect.  There is far to much information out that supports Iraq is about to go international with a new exchange rate with the real value to go with it.

There is proof that the WTO suggests that there is imminence to ascension and there is more on that matter to come out, as early as next week..

There is no reason to do that if they are to stay at the present rate of 1460, nor will it ever happen.. So be careful on how one takes the was that the pros and cons are put out. imo

There is nothing at all bad coming out. There has been far to much done to date and that is at stake now globally. The digital transformation is at the forfront of all Central Banks.

The AMF is digitized, as they are too. The AMF consists of 21 regional players that include Iraq. They all will be the ones that defend the IQD right along side their respective currencies alike in the BUNA arena (platform).

So, the positive effects in play now have made the environment today what it is so that the investors and private sector can flourish once the exchange rate with real value is exposed.. imo  ~ MM

A financial official talks about the expected exchange rate in the 2022 budget   LINK

Finance: The positive effects of the currency adjustment are starting to appear   LINK

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The Arab Monetary Fund organizes the sixth meeting of the working group on Modern Financial Technologies in the Arab countries "From a Distance"

25th November, 2021

On November 24-25, 2021 The people are discussing Opportunities and challenges of applying artificial intelligence techniques in the financial sector 

Strategies for moving to open financing

Trends and justifications for issuing digital currencies and lessons from regional and international experiences 

Data privacy protection requirements in digital services

Frameworks to protect consumers of digital financial services

Recent trends in regulatory and supervisory techniques and their role in promoting innovation opportunities    

On Wednesday and Thursday, corresponding to November 24-25, 2021, the Arab Monetary Fund will organize the sixth periodic meeting of the Modern Financial Technologies Working Group in the Arab Countries "remotely". 

The meeting will be attended by representatives of Arab central banks and monetary institutions and officials concerned with modern financial technologies and payments at central banks and Arab monetary institutions, ministries of finance, capital market authorities, and Arab stock exchanges.

In the meeting, the group will discuss the areas of application of artificial intelligence techniques in thefinancial sector,and future challenges and opportunities. In this context, the group reviews the developments of the regulatory frameworks that govern the uses of artificial intelligence. In this regard, the group will listen to presentations from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Organization of Capital Market Authorities (ISCO), and the Institute of International Finance, in addition to reviewing the experiences of a number of Arab countries, and discussing the group’s working paper on the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the financial sector in Arab countries.

The group discussions will also address the latest developments in digital and stable currencies,

in terms of reviewing recent trends, the reasons and challenges of issuing digital currencies and some of the leading regional and international experiences. The group will hear feedback from the Financial Stability Board and the Bank of England on cryptocurrencies.

 In this context, the group will also discuss a draft practical guide to activate the use of digital currencies in the Arab countries, which was prepared by the Arab Monetary Fund, based on a recent questionnaire distributed to Arab central banks.

On the other hand, the group's discussions touch on the main concepts of open banking operations, strategies for the transition to open financing, and regulatory and supervisory considerations in this regard, in order to enhance access to formal financial services and increase financial inclusion rates. In this context, a working paper prepared by the group will be discussed on the requirements for activating open financing, in addition to the vision document previously issued by the group on the subject in 2020. The discussions will also include the social responsibility of open financing service providers, and the challenges of data sharing in open financing operations.

The group will also discuss a working paper on regulatory and supervisory techniques, which covers recent trends and regional experiences, and the role of these technologies in encouraging innovation and supporting growth opportunities. The paper deals with the appropriate tools and mechanisms to be used by supervisory authorities to develop the application of these techniques. In this context, the group will hear a number of presentations from academic institutions.

In addition to the above, the topics of protecting consumers of digital financial services and protecting data privacy are of great interest to the group in this meeting, where recent developments and technologies in this field will be reviewed, in addition to discussing a working paper on the framework and experiences of customer data protection in the Arab countries.

Finally, during the meeting, the group's work program for the first half of 2022 will be discussed, and preparations for the next meeting of the group during the month of May 2022 will be discussed. A list of priority issues and topics for 2022 will also be discussed.

On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Al-Hamidi, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Monetary Fund, praised the activities and meetings of the group, through what they contribute to the transfer of knowledge about laying the foundations for a stimulating environment for modern financial technologies in the Arab countries. His Excellency stressed that the development of the modern financial technology sector is one of the priorities of Arab central banks, due to its importance in advancing the capabilities of Arab economies to face the current challenges and support the recovery phase from the Corona pandemic, in addition to the role of financial technologies in supporting opportunities for financial inclusion, by accelerating the transition to digital financial services. 

His Excellency stressed the importance of the indicative papers and guides that the group is working on, as a means of following up on the development of the modern financial technology industry in the Arab region, pointing to the importance of benefiting from them in developing the necessary policies to advance all aspects of the industry in the Arab region  LINK

MilitiaMan:  Like we have seen in the past. The AMF is going to be a REGIONAL PLAYER, Iraq is inclusive in that.. This came out early this morning.. The theme is now acceleration to the transition to digital financial services.. That is not the only thing either.. It is about the positive impact that is coming from the transformation. They are in a hurry as the new exchange rate of the IQD is to be digitized.. imo  ~ MM

MilitiaMan:  There are more countries even today digitizing.. All at the same time...  ACCELERATION!!! ~ imo.. ~ MM

Banking sector embraces digital transformation to improve customer experience

Accelerating digital transformation has helped HDBank ensure the efficient operation of its internal systems and business activities, meet customers’ needs amid the social distancing and ‘new normal’ and improve customer experience. — Photo courtesy of the bank

HCM CITY — Faced with the complicated developments of the COVID-19 outbreak in recent times, banks in HCM City and elsewhere in the country are strictly complying with social distancing regulations while also ensuring their systems operate smoothly and efficiently and fully meet the needs of individual and corporate customers.

The recent social distancing period was also a time when HDBank speeded up transformation of its operations.

So, despite reducing the number of employees working directly at the office and counter in accordance with the regulations on social distancing and epidemic prevention, the bank saw an increase in labour productivity and a reduction in costs while ensuring service quality and managing to serve customers in the best way.

This was thanks to the bank's modern technology platform.

HDBank has embraced digital transformation in all aspects like transaction processes, operations, human resources, and evaluation since 2020, and now seeks to make the digitisation faster and more comprehensive.

HDBank has managed to speed up comprehensive digitisation through key projects such as digitising the customer journey to bring new and convenient experiences in opening a payment account and savings book online and offering loans online against deposits, digitising the online customer journey with pioneering technologies such as electronic know your customer (eKYC), advanced eKYC and integrated authentication via video call, digitising the internal communication system, big data collection and analysis, and virtual assistant switchboard.

The use of robotic process automation technology with robot assistants has helped the bank reduce manual tasks by more than 80 per cent and increase processing speed 30 times (from three minutes to only five seconds for a transaction) with an error rate of almost zero.

According to the bank’s statistics, in the five months since the account opening process at the counter was digitised, the number of customers registering for e-banking rose to 67 per cent from the earlier 50 per cent.

HDBank’s digital applications and automation of products and services have helped improve the efficiency of transactions and meet customers’ needs amid the social distancing and ‘new normal’.

As a result, in the first six months of the year the number of e-banking transactions doubled from the same period last year with the transaction value tripling to nearly VNĐ60 trillion (US$2.6 billion).

To support businesses after the restrictions were lifted and gradually revive production and business, HDBank continues to deploy credit promotion services such as cash flow management, issuing UPAS L/Cs to promote import and export and rapid payment through eBanking with a comprehensive digital solution package.

It has also optimised services on digital platforms such as opening  a business account online, 24/7 online lending (eCredit), issuing  L/C online (eLC), and online international money transfer, all to support corporate customers with solutions and adapt to the new normal and digital society.

HDBank has also digitised the operating process through the use of robots for timekeeping for employees, handling requests from customers and automatic order approval.

In its internal operations too, HDBank has strongly digitised by applying Akabot, a comprehensive RPA platform that helps automate business processes involving a large number of repetitive tasks to increase productivity and improve cost savings; regularly organising online training, seminars and workshops; and enhancing communication on its internal communication channel, Workplace.

The iPaper system is applied to almost all internal processes/regulations, saving the time and cost needed for paperwork and being of particular help during the social distancing period.

Valuation, automatic and centralised accounting and document management are all optimised on the technology platform.

Customer-centric

Thanks to its accelerating digital transformation, HDBank has ensured the efficient operation of its internal systems and business activities and smooth operation of products and services on the digital platform, especially amid the pandemic-driven restrictions.  

Trần Thu Hương, director of the bank’s operations division, said: “To ensure smooth operations, the operations division in collaboration with other divisions has made improvements in everything starting from the most minor of them.

“Thanks to that, we have created a new, scientific, systematic, and more comprehensive way of working, saving time in handling services provided to customers. With the goal of how to serve customers most effectively, we always strive to make today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today.”

HDBank has efficiently implemented the Government’s policy on waiver and reduction of loan interest rates to support customers in a number of areas directly affected by COVID and where there has been prolonged social distancing, with more than 18,000 customers owing a total of nearly VNĐ42 trillion in outstanding balance benefiting.

The results have helped HDBank succeed in building a large loyal customer base.

Reforming operations and improving services on a digital basis is one of HDBank’s efforts to make a difference in serving customers, making them happy and successful, and helping them achieve financial security.  VNS

https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1085276/banking-sector-embraces-digital-transformation-to-improve-customer-experience.html

Frank26 and KTFA Members "News and Views" Tuesday 11-23-2021

KTFA:

Frank26:  "BECAUSE....... THESE RESERVES ARE NEEDED FOR THE NSCN'S".(New Small currency notes or lower denominations) ........F26

The Central Bank of Iraq begins activating the self-management of foreign reserves 

22nd November, 2021

The Central Bank of Iraq announced, on Monday, that it has started activating the self-management of foreign reserves

And the central bank stated in a statement seen by "Economy News", that it had begun "activating tools for direct communication and negotiation with clients and external correspondents on the Bloomberg and Refinitiv (FXALL, RFQ) platforms

He added that this is a simulation of "the latest global developments in using the best executive tools for managing and investing foreign reserves in order to achieve the best returns in trading and investment operations   LINK

ADDITIONAL INFO:

**FXall is a foreign exchange aggregator providing electronic trading to banks and brokers using an electronic
communication network with headquarters in New York. The company provides electronic trading in the foreign exchange market to institutional clients using straight through processing

**RFQ-hub operates as a software and computing services company. The Company develops multi-dealer trading solution for cash equity and cross assets listed and derivatives

Clare:  Trade announces the imminence of Iraq's accession to the World Organization of WTO

Economie| 07:20 - 22/11/2021Baghdad - Mawazine News

The Ministry of Commerce revealed today, Monday, an upcoming visit of its minister to Geneva to discuss Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization, while indicating that Iraq needs to pass laws and legislation to support its position internationally.

The official spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, Muhammad Hanoun, said, "The Ministry of Commerce is mobilizing its efforts towards Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization, and its minister and at the head of a government delegation will go to Geneva next week to reach an agreement with European trade ministers and European countries regarding accession."

He stressed that "we look forward to finalizing the file of Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization soon," noting that "the accession process is complex and contains many great conditions."
He pointed out that "Iraq needs to pass laws and legislation on many topics, including the economy, customs, and other required details and controls."

He explained, "The Ministry of Commerce has prepared an integrated file, and we hope to discuss it with the European side with the aim of joining the organization." LINK

Frank26:  "I TOLD YOU SO"................F26

Ross:  Nice ! Would passing laws, etc. include getting rid of program rate ??  

Clare: YEP!.......... IMO!!! ...NEW RATE NEEDED !!!! 

Pattycakes77:  I agree Clare. This is a golden ticket article. Rate needed indeed. !!!

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SOON... A MINISTERIAL DELEGATION WILL VISIT GENEVA TO DISCUSS IRAQ'S ACCESSION TO THE WORLD TRADE 

 Monday, November 22, 2021 8:01 PM   Baghdad/National News Center

Today, Monday, the Ministry of Commerce revealed an upcoming visit of its minister to Geneva to discuss Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization, while noting that Iraq needs to pass laws and legislation to support its position internationally.

The official spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, Muhammad Hanoun, told the official agency, followed by the “National News Center”: “The Ministry of Trade is mobilizing its efforts towards Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization, and its minister and at the head of a government delegation will go to Geneva next week to reach an agreement with European trade ministers and European countries.” about joining.

He stressed that "we look forward to finalizing the file of Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization soon," noting that "the accession process is complex and includes many great conditions." 

He pointed out that "Iraq needs to pass laws and legislation on many topics, including the economy, customs, and other required details and controls."

He explained, "The Ministry of Commerce has prepared an integrated file, and we hope to discuss it with the European side with the aim of joining the organization.  LINK

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Samson:  For six reasons .. America advises its citizens to avoid traveling to Iraq

11/23/2021 08:10:45

 The United States, on Monday, advised its citizens to avoid traveling to four countries, including Iraq, due to the outbreak of the new Corona virus.

The US State Department confirmed, through its travel updates website for US citizens and residents, that it had upgraded the travel classification of four countries to Category 4, "Do not travel."  The countries that have undergone updates on Monday include Iraq, Germany, Denmark and Burundi. 

The State Department stated that the upgrade in Iraq "is due to several reasons: terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, COVID-19, and the limited ability of the Iraq Mission to provide support to American citizens."

The ministry confirmed that "the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 travel health notice to Iraq due to COVID-19, which indicates a very high level of disease in the country."

"American citizens in Iraq are at risk of violence and kidnapping. Terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and civilians. Sectarian anti-US militias threaten American citizens and Western companies throughout Iraq," she added, adding that "IED attacks are occurring in many regions of the country, including Baghdad."

The Foreign Ministry stressed that "demonstrations, protests and strikes occur frequently, and these events can develop rapidly without prior notice, often leading to the interruption of traffic, transportation and other services. Such events have the potential to turn violent."

As for the classification of the Republic of Burundi (located in East Africa) in the fourth category, it refers to the "level of crime, health and political violence". 

As for Germany and Denmark, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Covid-19 is the main reason for raising the classification, and called on its nationals to "be careful" in the two countries "because of terrorism."   LINK

Samson:  Al-Fath: Naming The Prime Minister Takes More Than Three Months

22nd November, 2021

Al-Fateh Alliance stated, on Monday, that "the naming of the next prime minister may take more than three months, at least."

A member of the coalition, Mukhtar al-Moussawi, said in a statement to the "Information" agency, that "the presentation of the names by the Sadrist movement and the forces of the coordination framework will complicate the scene during the next stage, and it may not result in naming the prime minister until after a long period of conflicts."

He added, "The coming days will be among the most difficult periods that Iraq and the political process are going through in particular, and it needs wisdom in the decision and the selection of an appropriate personality."

 He pointed out that "any figure who heads the next government will not be able to impose itself on the blocs and parties and work in isolation from the goals of the party that nominated it, and therefore will not move away from consensual much."

Sources close to the Sadrist bloc stated its intention to present 3 names it has not disclosed yet, as candidates to head the next government.   LINK

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Samson:  Oil Expert: Despite The American Decision, Oil Prices Will Jump To $90 Until The End Of 2022

23rd November, 2021

Oil expert Hamza Al-Jawahiri confirmed, on Tuesday, that the American step to market 5 million barrels of oil in the markets to reduce prices is a small amount compared to the supply in the markets and the quantities of demand.

Al-Jawahiri said, in a statement to the Information Agency, that "the American announcement step is part of an old plan that it was keeping to prevent prices from rising above $90, and the situation may continue to keep prices until 2022."

He added that "OPEC's plan to maintain balance in the oil market while seeking to raise prices was successful and significantly and has achieved many gains during the last period, but countries that possess large oil reserves, such as the United States, will stand in the way of raising prices to the level of 100 dollars or even reaching 90 dollars.“

He pointed out that "the matter for Iraq will be with OPEC and will not deviate from the procedures adopted by OPEC during the next stage as long as its plan achieved the goal of raising prices despite the entry of industrial countries on the line and trying to reduce prices."

It is noteworthy that US President Joe Biden announced this morning the release of 5 million barrels of oil from strategic storage to the market in order to influence oil prices and bring them back to the level you want.  LINK

KTFA Monday Night Conference Call with Frank26 11-22-2021

KTFA

Monday Night KTFA CC with Frank26

11-22-2021 “It’s Wednesday”

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

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Petra, MilitiaMan and Eddie in Iraq

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=WG8mzBLB61U