Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Tuesday Afternoon 12-26-23

Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Tuesday Afternoon 12-26-23

Tlm724 Administrator Bondlady’s Corner

Transport Is Moving To Buy And Build Modern Merchant Ships

 Money  and business  Economy News – Baghdad  The Ministry of Transport revealed its intention to purchase and build modern commercial ships to include them in its naval fleet, in order to activate and expand maritime shipping operations.

Director of the Ministry's Media Office, Maytham Al-Safi, said that the Ministry is currently moving to purchase and build modern commercial ships to include them in its naval fleet, in order to activate and expand maritime shipping operations,

thus raising its efficiency in dealing with environmental and logistical challenges and enhancing its ability to compete economically.

This will also allow it to expand. In international maritime trade, which will contribute to strengthening the national economy and create additional job opportunities for graduates of maritime studies and specialists in this sector.

 He continued, that  the General Company for Maritime Transport is working to expand its commercial fleet, in proportion to the size of the great progress achieved in recent years in this sector, by opening shipping lines with a number of Arab, Asian and European countries, the most important of which was the direct shipping line with China, as It contributed to increasing the number of commercial ships arriving at our national ports.

Al-Safi indicated that the ministry is currently studying a plan to expand its work, by building a number of ships with large tonnage, which will fill the country’s need for the process of transporting ration card items and the goods it needs to support other sectors in all ministries and companies operating in Iraq, which contributes to supporting the country’s economy. Providing hard currency that supports the Iraqi dinar, noting that

there are many options for contracting with a number of well-known international companies in the global maritime sector, to transport goods to and from Al-Faw port after the official operation of the port soon.

He stated that the company currently owns 6 commercial ships, three of which are estimated to have a tonnage of (14) thousand tons, namely the Basra, Al-Muthanna and Al-Hadba, which operate in international waters outside Iraqi territorial waters, to transport many diverse cargoes, in addition to two ships, the first of which is a small service ship that operates in territorial waters.

The local ship is to supply fresh water and fuel to ships arriving at Iraqi ports.

The second is the Baghdad ship, which carries 10,000 tons and operates between the Emirates and Iraq to transport various containers.   12/26/2023 - https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=38856

A Deficit Of 39 Billion Dollars.. A Specialist Comments On International Reports That Warned Of The “Collapse Of The Iraqi Economy”

Economy |12-23-2023, Baghdad today – Baghdad   Today, Saturday (December 23, 2023), economic expert Manar Al-Obaidi commented on the international reports issued by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank regarding the Iraqi economy.

Al-Obaidi told “Baghdad Today” that  “there is ambiguity in the reports issued about the Iraqi economy, and  there is a statement from the International Monetary Fund that was not positive, but rather wanted to formulate the matter in a diplomatic way that is more positive.”

 He added, "The second report was issued by the World Bank, which is an extensive report that talked about the various aspects of the Iraqi economy, pointed out its shortcomings, and mentioned some important information that if it is not taken seriously by the government, we will be facing a major and difficult challenge that may lead to the complete collapse of the Iraqi economy."

The expert in economic affairs stated,  “The World Bank report stated that if Iraq wants to spend all sections of the 2024 budget, the average selling price of a barrel of Iraqi oil must not be less than 112 dollars, but if the current price rates continue, it will lead to a deficit of 39 dollars.”

One billion dollars will be covered from the reserves achieved from previous years in which Iraq achieved a surplus, specifically in 2022 and 2023.”

Earlier today, Saturday (December 23, 2023), economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi summarized 7 risks facing Iraq that came in the latest report of the International Monetary Fund.

Al-Marsoumi said in a clarification received by “Baghdad Today” that

“despite the positive signals included in the report of the International Monetary Fund experts after their visit to Iraq on December 19, 2023, which included a recovery in economic activity in Iraq and a decline in inflation rates, the report indicated in detail some risks.” Challenging the Iraqi economy.

He explained that the most important of these risks are:  

First: The significant expansion of public finances within the framework of the effective three-year budget law imposes significant and important risks on the sustainability of the public finances and the external sector in the medium term.

Second: Exercising caution in public financial conditions and implementing structural reforms are considered extremely important factors in ensuring the protection of macroeconomic stability and sustainability, and achieving lasting and more comprehensive growth.

Third: The decline in oil production after the closure of the oil pipeline linking Iraq and Turkey, and the reduction in production at the request of the OPEC+ group, will work together to reduce the growth of the gross domestic product in the years 2023 and 2024.

Fourth: The public finance balance is expected to transform from a large surplus achieved in 2022 to a budget deficit in 2023. Experts expect the size of the government’s fiscal deficit to expand further in 2024, reflecting the full annual impact of budget measures.

Fifth: The significant expansion of public finances, including a fundamental increase in the numbers of members of the public sector and retirement, creates permanent requirements for public spending that will put pressure on public funds in the medium term.

Sixth: Mobilizing more non-oil revenues, containing the wage bill for government employees, and reforming the government retirement system. These measures must be supported by a move to a more targeted social safety net that works to provide better protection for vulnerable groups.

Seventh: The necessity of creating equal opportunities for the private sector by implementing reforms in banking and the electricity sector, reducing distortions in the labor market, and continuing to make efforts aimed at strengthening governance and reducing the spread of corruption.

https://baghdadtoday.news/238390-عجز-بـ-39-مليار-دولار.-مختص-يعلق-على-تقارير-دولية-حذرت-من-انهيار-الاقتصاد-العراقيّ.html

The Central Bank Sells $202 Million At Auction Today

Economy   Tuesday, December 26, 2023 1:58 PM  Baghdad/National News Center  The Central Bank of Iraq sold $202 million at auction on Tuesday.

The Central Bank of Iraq announced in a statement its sales of hard currency, amounting to $202 million in today’s transactions, according to the official rate of 1310.

The bank’s data showed that “the total cash withdrawals amounted to $22,480,000, while the total amounts of transfers abroad, which include remittances and credits, amounted to $180,117,819, while the total sale amounted to $202,597,819.”   https://nnciraq.com/243034/

The Dollar Rises Again In Baghdad Markets

Time: 12/26/2023 10:29:33 Read: 1,950 times  {Economic: Al-Furat News} Dollar prices rose, today, Tuesday, in Baghdad markets  The prices were as follows..

The selling price was 150,750 Iraqi dinars, while the purchase amounted to 148,750 dinars per 100 dollars.   LINK

Stability Of Oil Prices In Global Markets

Economy | 09:09 - 12/26/2023  Baghdad - Mawazine News  Oil prices witnessed little change on Tuesday, with investors focusing on geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and optimism that the Federal Reserve (the US central bank) will soon begin lowering interest rates, which will contribute to higher global economic growth and boost demand.

Brent crude futures fell 26 cents, or 0.3%, to $79.13 per barrel, while the price of US West Texas Intermediate crude reached $73.59 per barrel, up by three cents.

Both benchmarks gained about 3% last week after attacks on ships disrupted global shipping and trade, raising tensions in the Middle East as the conflict in Gaza continues.

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=239608

To read more current and reliable Iraqi news please visit BondLady’s Corner:

https://www.bondladyscorner.com/

Provoking Points To Ponder on Power:

Responsibility n: A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of God, Fate, Fortune, Luck or one's neighbour. In the days of astrology it was customary to unload it upon a star.  - Ambrose Bierce

The best effect of fine persons is felt after we have left their presence.  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. - William Shakespeare

The tyrant dies and his rule is over; the martyr dies and his rule begins.  - Soren Kierkegaard

Unused power slips imperceptibly into the hands of another.  - Konrad Heiden

Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.  - George Orwell

Power never takes a back step - only in the face of more power.  - Malcolm X

Power is always right, weakness always wrong. Power is always insolent and despotic.  - Noah Webster

Power only tires those who don't exercise it.  - Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Famous Quotes and Authors, Famous Quotations for all Occasions

Some "Tuesday News" Posted by Clare at KTFA 12-26-2023

KTFA:

Clare:  The Iraqi Dinar Overthrows The Dollar And Wins The Struggle To Control The Regular Market

12/25/2023

 After months of unreasonable rise in dollar prices in local Iraqi markets, which caused great exhaustion for families, especially those with limited incomes, the Iraqi dinar was able to break the rise of the dollar, which sometimes reached about 170 thousand for every 100 dollars.

In conjunction with the rise of the dollar, the prices of foodstuffs also rose significantly as they are linked to the dollar, given that most of them are imported and are therefore purchased through the dollar, which caused great discontent in the Iraqi street, which demanded that the government must find solutions to address this unjustified rise.

Yesterday, Sunday, the US Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, announced that her country is continuing to provide dollar services to Iraq.

Romanowski said in a tweet on X, “The US Treasury continues its cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq, as many Iraqi banks have now formed relationships with international banks for the first time.”

She added that it "is considered a positive step in making progress in reforming the banking sector," noting "the continuation of providing US dollar services to Iraq in the interest of economic stability."

A government source had previously revealed that government and private banks had imported $255 million within two weeks.

The source told Earth News Agency, “According to the latest statistics provided by the Central Bank of Iraq, the amount of dollars imported into Iraq within two weeks through some government and private banks is estimated at approximately 255 million dollars.”

He added, “A number of other requests to import the dollar are on their way to being audited and implemented,” expecting that “other amounts will arrive within the next few days.”

In this context, the economic advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Nimhammad Salih, told Earth News Agency, “The monetary policy of the Central Bank of Iraq, based on its Law No. 56 of 2004, has the central and primary goal of stabilizing the general level of prices and fighting inflation, and the largest source of stability of the general level of prices is the exchange rate.” .

Saleh stated that “the bank’s operational objectives are its signals and procedures regarding the banking market and the monetary system as a whole and to achieve its intermediate objectives, which are the stability of the exchange rate so that the exchange rate in the secondary market approaches the official central price in reality, and this approach achieves complete stability in the Iraqi economy.”

 Saleh pointed out that “the monetary policy works in this direction, and the economic policy also supports it, meaning that the state is a large commercial arm and supplies the market with stable, imported goods and supplies on the basis of 1,320 dinars, and all of these factors are combined, whether the economic policy is with the monetary policy of the central bank, its goal is to bring market prices closer.” Parallel and noise in it, although this market constitutes only 10%, but it causes some noise until this noise is eliminated from that market and its prices approach the official price. The monetary policy of the Central Bank exercises its role accurately and positively and in accordance with short and medium-term plans to maintain overall stability in the national economy as a goal. Macroeconomics and monetary policy.

 He pointed out, “The process of importing all types of currencies, including the US dollar, takes place in light of the Central Bank’s permission for all Iraqi banks to meet the foreign currency needs of those banks’ customers.”

Regarding this matter, the specialist in financial and banking affairs, Safwan Qusay, told Earth News Agency, “It is clear that the Central Bank’s policy is to comply with international requirements and cooperate with the US Federal Reserve by allowing the American banks Citibank and JPMorgan to manage international financial transfer operations in a direct relationship with five Iraqi banks at this stage.” The first is through the mediation of a section of Jordanian banks, and it is also possible that five other banks will be added early next year. All of this will lead to reducing the waiting period and dealing with the expansion of the knowledge of small and large Iraqi merchants, and the possibility of having dealings in different currencies.”

He added, "These tools helped restore confidence in the Iraqi dinar and consolidate the trade process with all types of countries and various types of goods. We also note that the reforms of the Sudanese government, which seem to have international acceptance at the level of the United Nations, are in removing Iraq from the circle of dependence on oil only to the circle of economic integration." In all sectors and the search for sustainable revenues from the geographical location of the food industries and the stimulation of commercial activity in Iraq, all of these will also support the Iraqi dinar.”

Qusay pointed out that “the value of the dollar in the informal market will certainly continue to decline with the continuation of government measures to monitor the prices of imported goods at official prices and stabilize their sale process and not allow them to be sold at shadow market prices. The strong relationship with the Turkish side will allow for the resumption of Iraq’s oil exports and trade openness to the European system through Turkey.

The exchange rates of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar fell in the local markets today, Monday, to below 150,000 per 100 dollars, after it had recorded more than 155,000 per 100 dollars during the past days.   LINK

*************

Clare:  Selling an Iraqi currency dating back to the era of “King Ghazi” for 100 thousand pounds sterling

12/25/2023

 A very rare Iraqi currency dating back to the royal era was sold in the country, today, Monday, at a fantastic price of 100,000 pounds sterling, or approximately 187 million Iraqi dinars.

According to a report by the American “Alam Queen” magazine, translated by “Al-Ghad Press,” “a sample of a 100-fils banknote from Iraq dating back to 1941, printed in India during World War II, was sold for a price of 100,000 pounds sterling (126,400 US dollars) at the paper auction.” Noonan Mayfair's 1,000-piece global coin launch on November 29 and 30. It was expected to fetch £50,000-£70,000. 

The report added, “The memorandum bears the serial number  O/00 000000 and contains a picture of King Faisal II as a child in a frame on the right side. It was printed by the Nasik Press in India and given to the first director general of finance in Iraq, Abraham the Great. The sender was one of his descendants, called The big one too.” 

He continued, "Andrew Pattison of '  Noonans ' said it was an almost legendary note; it had never been offered at auction before and was unlikely to come up again. The note had been issued for weeks, and only one low-grade example is believed to have survived. It has This auction represented the only opportunity to complete the Iraq series once and for all.” 

The report stated that “Among the exhibits also, and from the same sender, is a sample of a 50 fils banknote from 1944 bearing the serial number  A000000 and a similar picture of King Faisal II when he was a child, but on the left. It reached 50 thousand pounds sterling, with an estimate ranging from £30,000 to £40,000.” 

He pointed out that "there is another distinctive piece, which is the highest denomination and rarest Swedish currency ever issued, which is a 10,000 kroner banknote dated 1939 from the  Sveriges Riksbank . It was sold for 17,000 pounds sterling."   LINK

Clare:  What are the reasons for the continuous decline in dollar exchange rates?.. A parliamentarian answers

 12/25/2023  Baghdad 

Member of the House of Representatives, Suhaila Al-Sultani, on Monday explained the reasons for the decline in the dollar exchange rates after months of rise, while confirming that the results of the successful measures and decisions taken by the government and the Central Bank have begun to be translated into reality.  

Al-Sultani said in an interview followed by Mawazine News, that “the dollar exchange rates will witness a significant decline in the local markets compared to the rise that the parallel prices reached in the previous period,” noting that “the government’s continued taking the right steps in this file will reduce the gap between the official and parallel rates.” almost". 

She continued, "The campaign of arrests and prosecution of currency speculators had an effective role in keeping the Iraqi dinar from collapsing," adding that "the Central Bank's decisions work to match the parallel and official dollar exchange rates."   

The member of the House of Representatives added, “Controlling the dollar file, in light of the major violations in this file, will not be instantaneous and will need a period of time in order to impose it on the local markets,” noting that “the results of the successful measures and decisions that the central bank government took have begun to be translated on the ground.” reality". LINK

***********

Clare:  Central Bank of Iraq.. Our procedures have revolutionized the financial and banking sector

12/26/2023  Independent/-

Assistant Director General of the Department of Investment and Foreign Remittances at the Central Bank of Iraq, Muhammad Yunus, confirmed that the Central Bank’s measures were a “revolution” in the financial and banking sectors, indicating that the Central Bank has begun to reap the fruits of the recent measures.

Younis said, in a press statement followed by Al-Mustaqila on Tuesday, that “the Central Bank’s measures contributed to enhancing transparency and governance of financial institutions, improving services provided to citizens, and increasing confidence in the Iraqi economy.”

He added, “The Central Bank will continue to take important economic measures in 2024, with the aim of achieving economic stability and promoting growth.”

Younis pointed out that “Iraqi banks opened accounts in Europe and some countries for the first time, after complying with international standards.”

He pointed out that “compliance with international standards facilitated the trade financing process and contributed to increasing Iraqi exports.”

The following are the most important measures taken by the Central Bank of Iraq:

Issuing the new Central Bank of Iraq law, which regulates the bank’s work and subjects its budget to parliamentary oversight.

Forming a committee to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, which works to enhance transparency in the financial sector.

Issuing new instructions to commercial banks, obligating them to follow corporate governance standards and combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

Starting to implement the electronic payment system, which aims to facilitate financial transactions and increase transparency.

These measures come within the framework of the Iraqi government's efforts to reform the financial and banking sector and enhance confidence in the Iraqi economy.   LINK

************

Clare:  Government media announces the measures taken to adopt electronic payment

12/26/2023  Baghdad

Today, Tuesday, the government media team announced the measures taken to adopt the electronic payment system, and while confirming that the file receives direct attention from the Prime Minister, it pointed to the implementation of electronic payment in the departments and institutions of the Ministry of Health early next year, 2024.

The team’s spokesman, Haider Majeed, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA), followed by “Al-Eqtisad News,” that “the file of electronic payment and the use of electronic point-of-sale (BOS) devices is one of the files that receives direct attention from Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, who directed the importance of adopting This file will be discussed during the next stage.”

He pointed out, "There are many procedures regarding adopting the electronic payment system, as the government media team held meetings with the relevant authorities, including the Ministries of Finance and Oil, as well as the Central Bank of Iraq, to ​​develop a specific mechanism."

Majeed added, "The first entity to implement the electronic payment system was the Ministry of Oil regarding government gas stations, then the rest of the ministries and departments such as the Ministries of Health, Interior, Labor, Social Affairs, and a number of ministries that have direct contact with the lives of citizens, and in which collection is required."

He pointed out that "the Ministry of Oil issued a decision to use electronic payment for all government and private gas stations throughout the governorates, and special cards will also be issued for government vehicles."

He continued: "The Ministry of Health will also implement the electronic sales system in public departments, clinics, and health insurance at the beginning of next year, 2024, in addition to the measures taken now in the Passports Directorate to collect funds for issuing and renewing passports from citizens."   LINK

Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Tuesday AM 12-26-23

Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Tuesday AM 12-26-23

Tlm724 Administrator Bondlady’s Corner

Merger Deadline

December 25, 2023    Based on the decision of the Board of Directors of this bank No. (191) of 2023, it was decided to give the mediation companies buying and selling foreign currencies under category (C) a period of time to merge to be classified as (A) or (B) until 3/31/2024.    https://cbi.iq/news/view/2491

Modify Controls

December 25, 2023    Amending Paragraph (T) of Article (11/Third) of the Regulations for Regulating the Work of Exchange and Brokerage Companies in the Buying and Selling of Foreign Currencies No. (1) of 2022..For more, click here    https://cbi.iq/static/uploads/up/file-170350580045338.pdf      https://cbi.iq/news/view/2492

Iraq And Turkey...The “Equal Deal” Dialogue

The first 12/26/2023    Baghdad: Huda Al-Azzawi  In light of the positive developments taking place in the exchange market in the interest of economic stability, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani directed the formation of a joint (Iraqi-Turkish) committee to organize trade and strategic partnership between the two countries and support Iraqi merchants’ imports in dinars.

*************************************

The committee represents market forces from economic organizations between the two countries and includes, on the other hand, The Iraqi (Association of Iraqi Private Banks, the Iraqi-Turkish Business Council, the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, and the Iraqi Contractors Union), and their counterparts from the Turkish side.

The committee meets - according to government sources circulating in the media - semi-annually and will submit its reports to the Prime Minister in a way that serves the strategic partnership between the two neighboring countries, and opens an “equal deal” dialogue through negotiation with the (Turkish Exporters Union) and the (Central Bank of Turkey) directly in coordination with (Central Bank of Iraq) because there is a high desire on the part of the Turkish party to pay in the local currency, to finance part of the four baskets supporting prices (food, medicine, construction, spare parts) that the Prime Minister proposed in his policy of defending price stability in Iraq.

Commenting on what was circulated, the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Financial and Economic Affairs, Dr. Mazhar Muhammad Salih, indicated in an interview with “Al-Sabah” that

“trade relations between Iraq and Turkey are characterized by high economic commercial attractiveness, as Iraq imports up to $14 billion from Turkey.” Annually) it is considered the second trading partner among other trading partners, including China and the United Arab Emirates.

 He noted that  "this partnership takes place through the Iraqi market, which imports from the Turkish market, and  therefore market forces move through institutions, and

this is an important and fundamental issue in regulating payments, especially since the majority of payments for this trade are undefined and take place through circuitous roads that expose Iraq and Turkey to problems." big". He pointed out that

"the Iraqi delegation that went to Istanbul reached some important observations, and the Prime Minister, through his recent directives, points to the coalescence of market forces between Iraq and Turkey in understandings that serve the commercial and investment market between the two countries.

On this basis, committees were formed from the Iraqi market forces to meet them." Market forces in Turkey help the (Central Bank) regulate payments, investment and trade between the two countries in an ongoing, long-term future plan.”

For his part, the head of the “Regional Center for Studies”, Ali Al-Sahib, said in an interview with “Al-Sabah” that

 “the Iraqi government’s directives and paths are moving at a confident pace by developing more effective methods in order to achieve the achievement that calls for optimism that Iraq has become an attractive environment for investment after it was able The Iraqi government has concluded strategic agreements with a number of countries - especially those that export consumer foodstuffs to the country on an ongoing basis - led by Turkey, whose monthly exports to Iraq exceed one billion dollars.

He stressed that  "the government's directives come through contracting with reliable, efficient and high-quality companies, and this is a positive matter that the government counts, especially after the two parties agreed to deal in the local currency and stay away from the fluctuations of the dollar in the market," and also to maintain the stability of the Iraqi market and provide materials of importance to the individual. "The Iraqi."   https://alsabaah.iq/89374-.html

Oil: Move To Contract To Purchase Large-Capacity Tankers

 Money  and business  Economy News - Baghdad  Today, Saturday, the Ministry of Oil detailed its plans to develop the maritime transport sector and expand the Iraqi oil tanker fleet, while the Iraqi Oil Tanker Company announced that it had received partnership offers from international companies.

The Director General of the Iraqi Oil Tanker Company, Ali Qais Abdul Jabbar, said, “The company, in cooperation with the Ministry of Oil, developed a plan to build tankers and expand the fleet of oil tankers.

The first tanker, the Sumer Tanker, was received 3 months ago, and after two weeks the tanker will arrive.” He confirmed) with a capacity of about 31 thousand tons, or approximately 200 thousand barrels,” pointing out that

“there is a plan in place to build two modern tankers with international specifications, and approval for that will be obtained soon.”

Abdul-Jabbar added, “The Minister of Oil stressed the need for the Oil Tanker Company to own a group of modern giant tankers to transport Iraqi crude oil, and

there is a new cooperation between the Oil Tanker Company and the Oil Marketing Company to purchase tankers and enter into partnership with them, in addition to 3 international companies moving forward.” Offers to the tanker company for partnership, and

it is also in the process of studying and analyzing the results and capabilities of similar businesses.” He explained,

"By owning a tanker fleet of at least two crude oil tankers in each project, and ensuring the return of the Iraqi crude oil fleet, self-reliance is achieved without the need for partnerships, and the Oil Tanker Company returns to practicing its main activity of transporting Iraqi crude oil to buyers from various countries of the world." "

 He continued: “As a matter of government support, yesterday, the Baghdad Tanker was launched based on the directives of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Oil, and the Undersecretary for Distribution Affairs.

It was equipped with gas oil in the amount of 10 million liters of gas oil to deliver it to our people in Gaza, to support hospitals and dismantle The siege as a result of the brutal aggression.”

 He pointed out, "It was confirmed that these quantities would be transported by the national carrier, as the Baghdad tanker belonging to our company was equipped with crews, supplies, and fuel, and set off for the Port of Suez in Egypt to deliver these shipments," stressing that "the company will be a national carrier representing Iraq in various countries of the world.".

 For his part, the spokesman for the Ministry of Oil, Asim Jihad, said,  “The Ministry of Oil is keen to develop the maritime transport sector as it constitutes one of the important joints in the process of marketing Iraqi oil and one of the important pillars of the movement of transporting crude oil and fuel to global markets.”

Jihad added, "The Ministry plans, by working on several axes, to develop this sector and to contract to build a number of tankers with different transport capacities with reputable international companies to strengthen the Iraqi fleet and stimulate the expansion of the process of transporting crude oil and products and the commercial activity of Iraqi oil tankers."

He pointed out that "the last period witnessed the entry of a number of new tankers into the Iraqi fleet,

but the ministry's ambitions are greater than that, and are represented by contracting for large-capacity tankers, and also restoring the Iraqi fleet to its previous state, even better, and to be among the modern tankers transporting Iraqi oil to global markets."

And also investing in the presence of the Iraqi Oil Tanker Company for commercial work that aims to enhance financial and economic resources to support the federal treasury and expand the company’s activity to be an international company that accomplishes its tasks in the process of marketing Iraqi oil and the commercial process with regard to the energy and oil sector in general,” stressing that “the ministry’s plans We will continue to advance the company’s work and develop and expand its work.”   Views 75    12/23/2023 - https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=38750     

Ministry Of Transport: Iraqi Ports Are An Alternative To Global Transport Lines After The Red Sea Tensions

 Money  and business  The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced on Sunday that, coinciding with many major international transport companies changing their routes due to the security tension in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the alternative to international transport lines to deliver goods from east to west is Iraqi ports.

The Director General of the General Company for Iraqi Ports, Farhan Al-Fartusi, said in a statement received by Al-Iqtisad News,

“According to the directives of the Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibas Al-Saadawi, the Iraqi ports of Umm Qasr must be prepared for any real or international need, to receive increasing numbers of containers, after the security tension in the Red Sea and the suspension of Many of the largest international transport companies have their routes, especially those transporting goods from Europe to the Arabian Gulf and East Asia and vice versa.

 Al-Fartousi explained that   “Iraq, due to its distinctive location linking the East and the West, is currently considered one of the easiest and safest transport routes, as we expect that there will be a large movement of container handling in the port of Umm Qasr during the coming period,” stressing that “Iraqi ports are prepared for such an increase in traffic.” Processes".

He added,  "Iraqi ports have actually become an important transit site for transporting goods from Europe through the Turkish port of Mersin and from there to Iraq all the way to the Gulf and East Asia, and vice versa for Chinese goods towards Europe."

The Director General of the General Company for Iraqi Ports continued,

"This matter clearly shows the importance of the two projects of the Grand Al-Faw Port and the development road that Iraq is implementing, as they have become an international requirement and even an urgent necessity so that the navigation and maritime transport routes in the world are safe."

It is noteworthy that the French International Maritime Line Company (CMA) recently took a decision similar to the decision of (Maersk Line) to stop commercial ships on the sea line that pass through the Red Sea, as this generated a significant increase in the transport of goods through alternative methods, namely land or sea.  140 views  12/24/2023 - https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=38793

Iraqi Ports Are Preparing To Receive Ships From Countries Around The World

 Money  and business  Economy News – Baghdad  The Ministry of Transport has made the necessary preparations to open Iraqi ports to international ships and ships loaded with containers and goods, coinciding with many international transport companies changing their routes, due to the security tension in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Director of the Ministry’s Media Office, Maitham Al-Safi, said that the Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibas Al-Saadawi, directed that the ports of Umm Qasr be prepared to receive increasing numbers of containers coming from various countries of the world, due to the security tension in the Red Sea and the suspension of many large international transport companies on their routes, especially Those that transport goods from Europe to the Arabian Gulf and East Asia and vice versa, pointing out that

Iraq, because of its distinctive location linking the East and the West, is currently considered one of the easiest and safest transportation methods.

At the same time, it is expected that there will be a large movement of container handling in the ports during the period. Coming. Al-Safi stated that

the Iraqi ports have completed all their preparations for the expected increase in these operations, as they have become an important “transit” site for transporting goods from Europe through the Turkish port of Mersin and from there to Iraq all the way to the Gulf and East Asia and vice versa, noting that

this matter clearly shows the importance of the two major Al-Faw port projects. And the path of development that Iraq is implementing, as they have become an international demand and an urgent necessity so that the navigation and maritime transport routes in the world are safe.

 Views 60      12/25/2023 - https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=38819

To read more current and reliable Iraqi news please visit BondLady’s Corner:

https://www.bondladyscorner.com/

Provoking Points To Ponder on Power:

He who despises his own life is soon master of another's.  - English proverb

A good indignation brings out all one's powers.  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Horsepower was a wonderful thing when only horses had it.  - Anonymous

It is not power that corrupts but fear. The fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it, and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.  - Aung San Suu Kyi

Man's responsibility increases as that of the gods decreases.  - Andre Gide

Many a man's strength is in opposition, and when he faileth, he groweth out of use.  - Francis Bacon

Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.  - Margaret Mead

Not hammer strokes, but dance of the water sings the pebbles into perfection.  - Rabindranath Tagore

People exercise an unconscious selection in being influenced.  - T. S. Eliot

Power in America today is control of the means of communication.  - Theodore White

Famous Quotes and Authors, Famous Quotations for all Occasions

Goldilocks' Comments and Global Economic News Tuesday AM 12-26-23

Goldilocks' Comments and Global Economic News Tuesday AM 12-26-23

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

"Container ships abandon Red Sea as allies scramble to fend off attacks"

The Suez Canal is the shortest distance between cargo ships moving from the East to the West. This will create new challenges for us going forward until this is resolved including price fluctuations.

I am aware that new Maritime Laws are progressing, and we need them as soon as possible given the state of the world.

As we work on easing tensions at sea, we are working on stabilizing prices inside the marketplace through gold and tokenized assets giving them real values through movement forward of Basel 3 and Protocol 20.

The movement forward of these two monetary policies will give us structure we need to begin creating price correlations that can manage many of the price distortions taking place through the movement of goods from the East to the West.

All of this affects the entire Market including Forex. We need structural mechanisms that will allow fair trade between countries to settle much of these disputes.

Artificial intelligence is coming into play through the new digital economy to enact protocols that will help create a More Level Playing Field.

Watch the water.
© Goldilocks
ManilaTimes Link
Theonvcersation Link
Suez Canal Link

👆  Goldilocks pointed to this article

~~~~~~~~~~

Iraq is currently modifying their controls  inside their Foreign Currency exchange companies.

These new financial mechanisms will help them to regulate and move money both inside and outside of Iraq.
© Goldilocks
https://cbi.iq/news/view/2492
https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-laws/laws/205/iraq-investment-law-

~~~~~~~~~~

The BRICS bloc, aiming to reduce dependency on the Western-led SWIFT payment system, has introduced its own alternative known as BRICS Pay, potentially setting the stage for a BRICS currency by 2024.

Despite the global dominance of the US dollar, with 48% of payments still conducted in the currency, the BRICS alliance is making strides in de-dollarization through economic cooperation and the development of BRICS Pay.

As per Fortune Magazine, BRICS Pay could diminish the reliance on the US dollar in developing economies by replacing SWIFT, leading to an integrated payment system and possibly a new currency under the BRICS umbrella, leveraging the New Development Bank’s initiatives.

https://watchdogwire.com/brics-pay-to-set-stage-for-new-currency-launch-in-2024/

~~~~~~~~~~

"Ripple, Hedera, Stellar, and Cardano are looking to partner with central banks, aiming to revolutionize cross-border payments and promote financial inclusion."

January is rapidly becoming a pivotal month. The transition into our new digital economy is indicating that movement ahead is near.

We have institutional money and major partnerships coming into play to seed the new digital economy through ETFs and tokenized assets that will engage and bring in a foundation of stability in our movement forward.

© Goldilocks
CryptoNewsFlash Link 1
CryptoNewsFlash Link 2

~~~~~~~~~~

Iraq to pay for imports from Turkey in Iraqi dinar - Iraqi News
https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraq-to-pay-for-imports-from-turkey-in-iraqi-dinar/

~~~~~~~~~~

Shafaq News / "The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced on Sunday that, coinciding with the alteration of routes by several major international shipping companies due to security tensions in the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb strait, Iraqi ports have emerged as alternative transit points for global cargo transportation from East to West."

The rerouting of ports in the shipment of goods through Iraq will go a long way in increasing the demand for the Iraqi dinar.

These new demands will increase the Iraqi Dinar's value through the movement of goods and services inside their ports from the East to the West.

The Iraqi shipping industry is becoming a focal point of interest to the new Global markets. Having a solid value on the use of their currency will go a long way in creating solid interests from investors seeking to capitalize on this new venture.

Watch the water.

© Goldilocks
Shafaq Link

~~~~~~~~~~

BTCUSD - Global securities body releases DeFi recommendations: Finance Redefined ADVFN Link

~~~~~~~~~~

Follow Goldilocks' Roadmap

Follow Goldilocks' Timeline

Goldilocks' Telegram Room

Q & A Telegram Room

Goldilocks Forum

Goldilocks on the Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thank you Dinar Recaps

"Tidbits From TNT" Tuesday 12-26-2023

TNT:

CandyKisses:  18 members of the Interior Ministry and the Popular Mobilization Forces were injured in a US air strike in Babylon

Baghdad today - Babylon 

A security source reported today, Tuesday, that 18 members of the Ministry of Interior and the Popular Mobilization Forces were injured in a US aircraft bombing that targeted headquarters of the Mobilization Forces in central Babil Governorate.

The source informed "Baghdad Today", "12 members of the Ministry of Interior, and 6 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces, were injured of varying degrees as a preliminary outcome of the American bombing that targeted headquarters of the Mobilization Forces in the Algeria area in the center of the city of Hilla in Babil Governorate."

US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, announced earlier Tuesday morning that US forces had launched strikes on three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and its affiliated groups in Iraq

CandyKisses:  Government condemns bombing of military installations in Iraq: a clear act of hostility

Baghdad Today - Baghdad

Today, Tuesday (December 26, 2023), the Iraqi government condemned the targeting of Iraqi military sites by the US side in Babil province, in what it described as "hostile acts" that affect the autonomy of the state.

The Prime Minister's Media Office said in a statement received by "Baghdad Today" that "the Iraqi government confirms that it is dealing, through its security forces with all its types, constitutional institutions and all legal authorities, firmly against the attack by some elements on the headquarters of foreign diplomatic missions or places where military advisors from friendly countries are located, and these attacks have already been diagnosed as hostile acts that affect the autonomy of the Iraqi state, and it is unacceptable to commit them under any circumstances or under any name or justification."

He added that "at the same time, the Iraqi government condemns what happened at dawn today, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, of targeting Iraqi military sites by the American side under the title of response, which led to the martyrdom of an affiliate and the injury of 18 others, including civilians," stressing that it is "a clear hostile act, not constructive, and does not serve the path of long-term common interests, in establishing security and stability, and works against what is declared by the US side to strengthen relations with Iraq."

"This step harms bilateral relations between the two countries and will complicate ways to reach understandings through joint dialogue to end the existence of the international coalition, and it represents, above all, an unacceptable violation of Iraqi autonomy," he said.

He continued: "Our security forces succeeded in establishing security and stability in our country, and achieved victory over ISIS terrorist gangs, which no longer pose a threat to Iraqi national security, and therefore preserving the fruits of this victory is at the heart of our security and strategic priorities, and we will not allow any party to prejudice what has been achieved and consolidated through thousands of precious sacrifices."

***************

Tishwash:  Before the eyes of the Honorable Prime Minister is a vision to activate the achievement of economic reform (2024-2026)

Samir Al-Nusairi

Through an analysis of what was stated in the government curriculum of the government of the Sudanese President, which is the ninth government after the change in 2003, and which has been in charge for a year and two months, and which was called the services government, it was able to accomplish an acceptable percentage of the goals specified in the government curriculum in accordance with the vision of the Prime Minister, which included many Of the economic sectors and fields, which occupied nearly most of the aspects of the government curriculum, because without achieving comprehensive and radical economic reform, which begins with financial and banking reform, the full goals and visions of the government cannot be achieved. Therefore, the government curriculum, as I see it, is a four-year strategy to achieve the economic reform revolution.

The reason for launching this strategy is “because Iraq, after 19 years of economic failures, mismanagement, and mismanagement of public funds due to administrative and financial corruption, the loss of the sound economic approach, political tensions, and instability in the business environment, has led to dependence on oil as a primary resource of public budget revenues, which constitutes up to 93% of total resources, up to 60% of gross domestic product, and failure to activate productive sectors that generate national income.” 

Which led to "ambiguity of the vision and lack of clarity in the decisions of the reform process of previous governments, except for some achievements achieved by the Central Bank of Iraq during the past years, in which it overcame the challenges of monetary policy in proportions that enabled it to maintain the stability of the dinar exchange rate during the years (2017-2020) and build foreign currency reserves." Excellent, maintaining the general level of prices and the annual rate of inflation around 2%. This contributed to overcoming the economic and security crises in 2014 and addressing the decline in global oil prices by more than 70%.

This confirms that the government and the Central Bank have reviewed the previous reform policies in 2023 through diagnosis and analysis and have concluded that economic problems are the cause of most of Iraq’s crises and that “the real solution to Iraq’s crises is to work in the manner of comprehensive change, and here I mean drawing a strategy for a road map for the economic, administrative and legislative revolution by adopting the change.” radically for the coming years, while benefiting from the experience of institutions and individuals in charge who have achieved previous success experiences in confronting crises. On the occasion of the Prime Minister’s announcement that the year 2024 will be a year of achievements, it is an affirmation of the insistence on implementing the road map set out in the government curriculum in a way that supports economic, financial and banking reform, and it will be accomplished. All investment, service, administrative, technical and structural projects to support the national economy and maintain the stability of the Iraqi dinar exchange rate in the monetary trading market. For the purpose of activating the reform measures for the years (2024-2026), the following was proposed before the attention of the Prime Minister:

Firstly, starting a systematic movement to draw a road map for administrative, legal and economic reform carried out by the Iraqi economic, financial and banking elites and competencies (governmental and private sector) by creating the Supreme Economic Council and representing the private banking sector in its membership as the financing sector which must contribute to investment. The movement should be based on The reform system relies on several important economic pillars, adopts a new methodology for managing the economy, and achieves the central goal of moving the economy from rentier to productive, from cash to digital, and activating productive sectors other than oil to reach 50% of general budget revenues in 2026, creating sustainable development, and achieving diversity in... Resources and the development of economic and human structures in order to properly build the national economy and build the foundations for the transition to a social market economy, provided that its recommendations, after approval by the Council of Ministers, are binding for implementation by the ministries, agencies and concerned parties.

Second - Forming a (Central Follow-up Committee) linked to the Prime Minister’s Office to follow up on the implementation of decisions and having the authority to monitor and evaluate. It is formed under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and the membership of an elite group of advisors, government experts, and private sector experts.

Third - Moving to the central administration of the economy so that the principle of (centralized planning and decentralized implementation) is implemented. This means that the Supreme Council of the Economy is responsible for drawing up plans and policies centrally and distributing their implementation to the ministries and specialized bodies within the government structure after the approval of the Council of Ministers.

Fourth - Providing soft loans to finance small, medium and large projects and establishing a legal and institutional system to manage, grow and develop them, and issuing a special law for them. As well as issuing and amending the laws of the legal environment to regulate the economic process, and here this means issuing new laws instead of the laws that were issued in 2004. Due to the changes that occurred. in the national economy during the past two decades.

Fifth - Activating investment in the agricultural, industrial, energy, tourism, services and housing sectors, as well as working to reform, develop and grow the banking sector through monetary policy applications and regulating the relationship and restrictions that govern financial and monetary policies, as well as a serious approach to reforming the tax, financial and customs system. Addressing cases of failure to achieve the required growth rates in national income and exceeding the rise in unemployment and poverty rates.

Sixth - Developing a new methodology to overcome the challenges of instability in the financial system and the monetary system. This means developing coordinated and balanced plans to overcome the challenges of monetary policy and the challenges of the non-oil revenue deficit and the deficit in the balance of payments and the trade balance. Seventh - Accelerating the implementation of the e-government program and coordinating it with the electronic payment system. Focusing on following up on the decisions issued by the government regarding the use of electronic payment in commercial exchanges and banking operations and activating the establishment of the National Electronic Payment Company, which the Central Bank recently announced  link

Mot:  ............... Earned it Did!!!!

Mot: ..... oooooooooooooh Deeeeeeeeeer!!! 

Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Monday Afternoon 12-25-23

Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Monday Afternoon 12-25-23

Tlm724 Administrator Bondlady’s Corner

Kurdistan Is Awaiting A Decision From The Central Bank Of Iraq To Prevent Dealing In Dollars

The Minister of Commerce in the Kurdistan Government confirmed that the region only adopts the Iraqi dinar in transactions at the level of border crossings and airports, and said that measures to prevent the circulation of the dollar will include the real estate market, car trade, and other activities during the next year, if a decision is issued to that effect by the Central Bank of Iraq.

Kamal Muslim, Minister of Trade in the Regional Government, indicated that we are committed to all instructions and decisions regarding stabilizing the dollar exchange rate and increasing the value of the Iraqi dinar, as we deal in the Iraqi dinar exclusively at the level of border crossings and airports.

Emphasizing on the market level as well, we will commit to imposing dealing in the dinar if a decision is issued by the Central Bank requiring that it be used in all market transactions, such as buying and selling goods, homes, and cars in the Kurdistan region.

The Central Bank of Iraq decided earlier in 2023 to limit all local transactions to the Iraqi dinar, and after that the Ministry of Interior launched a campaign to prevent dealing in dollars in all governorates with the exception of the Kurdistan region, while indicating that the penalty for violating the law reaches 5 years in prison.    https://www.radionawa.com/all-detail.aspx?jimare=36771

What Are The Reasons For The Continuous Decline In Dollar Exchange Rates?.. A Parliamentarian Answers

Economy |  12/25/2023  Mawazine News – Baghdad  Member of the House of Representatives, Suhaila Al-Sultani, on Monday explained the reasons for the decline in the dollar exchange rates after months of rise, while confirming that the results of the successful measures and decisions taken by the government and the Central Bank have begun to be translated into reality.

Al-Sultani said in an interview followed by Mawazine News, that “the dollar exchange rates will witness a significant decline in the local markets compared to the rise that the parallel prices reached in the previous period,” noting that “the government’s continued taking the right steps in this file will reduce the gap between the official and parallel rates.” almost".

She continued, "The campaign of arrests and prosecution of currency speculators had an effective role in keeping the Iraqi dinar from collapsing," adding that "the Central Bank's decisions work to match the parallel and official dollar exchange rates."The member of the House of Representatives added, “Controlling the dollar file, in light of the major violations in this file, will not be instantaneous and will need a period of time in order to impose it on the local markets,” noting that “the results of the successful measures and decisions that the central bank government took have begun to be translated on the ground.” reality".   https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=239605

The US Dollar Falls In Baghdad

Economy   Monday, December 25, 2023 Baghdad/National News Center  The exchange rates of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar fell in the markets of the capital, Baghdad, today, Monday, to reach a price not recorded in about two months.

Dollar prices fell with the opening of the main Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges in Baghdad, recording 149,100 Iraqi dinars against 100 dollars, while yesterday, Sunday, prices were 151,950 dinars against 100 dollars.

The selling prices in the exchange shops in the local markets in Baghdad reached 150,250 dinars per 100 dollars, and the purchase price was 148,250 dinars per 100 dollars.  https://nnciraq.com/242809/

A Source Suggests That Dollar Prices Will Fall To 145 Thousand

Economy | 12/25/2023   Mawazine News – Baghdad  An informed source suggested, on Monday, that the central bank’s agreements with some countries to finance foreign trade in local currency contributed to the decline in dollar exchange rates, suggesting that the exchange rates would reach 145 thousand compared to 100 US dollars.

The source said, in an interview with Mawazine News, that “the agreement with the banks of the Emirates, Turkey, India, and China to finance Iraq’s foreign trade is a step in the right direction,” noting that “proceeding with these measures will reduce the gap between the official and the parallel.”

He continued, "The measures taken by the government were practical, but the shock of the US Federal Reserve's punishment of banks prevented prices from falling in the previous period," noting that "the US sanctions were a painful blow to the local markets."

He added, "One of the factors why the dollar exchange rates did not decline in the previous period was the intervention of the external factor in the dollar issue," adding that "the central bank's agreements with some countries to finance trade in the local currency contributed to the decline in the dollar exchange rates."    https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=239596

Central Bank Sales For Today Exceed $199 Million

Monday 25 December 2023  Economical Number of readings: 302  Baghdad / NINA / The Central Bank of Iraq announced, today, Monday, its total sales of foreign currency through the electronic window.

The window recorded the total amounts of transfers abroad (remittances, credits) at $187,265,896, while the total amount of cash sales amounted to $12,640,000, and the total amount of sales amounted to $199,905,896.

The cash sale was set at 1,305 dinars to the dollar, while the bond credits, international settlements for the electronic card, and foreign transfers were set at 1,310 dinars to the dollar. /End 11

https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1097354

The Iraqi Stock Exchange Closed Down By 0.85%

Market  Economy News – Baghdad   The Iraqi Stock Exchange closed today, Monday, down by 0.85%.

The session traded shares of 31 companies, with the number of shares traded reaching more than 1.1 billion shares, with a value of more than 1.1 billion dinars.

Shares of Al-Amin Financial Investment rose by 5.2%, followed by Al-Hilal Industrial by 3.9%, and Al-Iraqiya Land Transport by 3.8%.  Sumer Bank shares fell by 7.6%, followed by Dates Manufacturing by 5.6%.   Views 52   12/25/2023 - https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=38838

Oil: Revenues Last Month Amounted To More Than $8 Billion

Baghdad - Mawazine News  The Ministry of Oil confirmed on Monday that revenues last month amounted to more than $8 billion.

A statement by the ministry stated, “The amount of crude oil exports, according to the final statistics issued by the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), amounted to (102) million (975) thousand (782) barrels, with revenues amounting to (Cool billion (481).” One million and (558) thousand dollars.

The statement indicated that "the total quantities of crude oil exported for the month of November from the oil fields in central and southern Iraq amounted to (101) million (764) thousand and (620) barrels, while the quantities exported from Qayyarah were one million (38) thousand." And (779) barrels, while exports to Jordan were (172) thousand and (383) barrels.

He added, "The average price of one barrel reached (82,365) dollars," noting that "the exported quantities were loaded by (33) international companies of several nationalities, from the ports of Basra, Khor Al-Zubair, and the monobuoys, and from the Turkish port of Ceyhan and the modern Kirkuk warehouse, by tanker trucks." And from the Qayyarah field.”  https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=239588

To read more current and reliable Iraqi news please visit BondLady’s Corner:

https://www.bondladyscorner.com/

Provoking Points To Ponder on Proof and Certainty:

The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers.  - Erich Fromm 

There are no facts, only interpretations.  - Friedrich Nietzsche

Statistics are no substitute for judgement.  - Henry Clay

Get your facts first, and then you can distort 'em as much as you please.  - Mark Twain

'For example' is not proof.  - Jewish proverb 

A half truth, like half a brick, is always more forcible as an argument than a whole one. It carries better.   - Stephen Leacock

You are all you will ever have for certain,.  - June Havoc

Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is.  - Voltaire

To believe with certainty we must begin with doubting.  - Stanislaus, King of Poland

Modest doubt is call'd The beacon of the wise.  - William Shakespeare

What men want is not knowledge, but certainty.  - Bertrand Russell

Famous Quotes and Authors, Famous Quotations for all Occasions

Goldilocks' Comments and Global Economic Monday Evening 12-25-23

Goldilocks' Comments and Global Economic Monday Evening 12-25-23

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

Pay attention. This has something to do with what I'm going to share with you tonight at midnight.

Japan plans to start trading digital securities on Christmas Day.

This will begin creating price pressures for the Digital Market and Commodity Markets.  It is one of 200+ countries dipping their toe into the large body of water we are yet to see if we will be able to sink or swim in going forward.

It is a small step into the new market, but it is the first one that will begin to create movement into the new QFS system.  Look for the crypto and the commodity markets to begin layering in their various networks into the overall QFS in 2024. This will usher in new digital and metal liquidity at various points throughout the year building the foundation and confidence inside the new QFS.

During this process, a currency intervention will occur to justify new values being placed upon them through new demands taking place on our new digital economy.

Merry Christmas Everyone!  © Goldilocks
https://cointelegraph.com/news/japan-digital-securities-trading-december

~~~~~~~~~~

From late Christmas Eve

ANOTHER Update to the Debt Clock - December 23, 2023

TODAY marks the 110th year of plunder
when the Federal Reserve Act was signed by President Wilson on December 23, 1913

Chairman Powell’s message changed from “We ARE the .1%” to “We WERE the .1%”

Let’s see what the new year will bring us!

@ Goldilocks

https://t.me/c/1545617426/72633

~~~~~~~~~~

We are witnessing several spot ETF Bitcoin assets going up in different countries at this time.

The spot ETF Bitcoin is the bridge into the digital economy that will be used to create mainstream adoption into the digital asset-based trading system.

When you own a spot ETF Bitcoin, you have access to the benefits of bitcoins' growth as mainstream acceptance moves the price of this asset into larger revenue opportunities for those who invest in assets connected to it.

Just recently, the SEC met with spot Bitcoin applicants in a rare conference call to engage in the implementation of this new digital asset making its way into the new digital economy.

Several security issues have regulations that have just been adopted last week to mobilize these new efforts.

The changes now being made in the global markets leads me to believe as One Financial system falls this year, a new One will be replacing it gradually and in three phases.

I do not anticipate a hard landing, but if your assets do not correlate with the new market you will see a significant loss. This is why we have taken the last two and a half years to go over the assets that will make up the new system, so each of us can be prepared for the new economy.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve and a Christmas Day with your friends and your family.

© Goldilocks
Crypto Slate Link
JDSupra Link
Venable Link
Morgan Lewis Link

~~~~~~~~~~

We have 42 States out of 50 in the United States that now recognize gold and silver as money.

Oklahoma and Missouri are two of the latest states to file for this new legislation. Just eight more, and everything changes.

This reclassification of commodities is coming at a time when gold and silver are being called upon to support the new digital monetary system.

When gold is set free, so are we.

© Goldilocks
https://legiscan.com/OK/bill/SB1507/2024
https://house.mo.gov/BillsMobile.aspx?year=2024&code=R&bill=HB1867

OilPrice Link

~~~~~~~~~~

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Goldilocks and the Seeds of Wisdom Team!

~~~~~~~~~~

Follow Goldilocks' Roadmap

Follow Goldilocks' Timeline

Goldilocks' Telegram Room

Q & A Telegram Room

Goldilocks Forum

Goldilocks on the Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thank you Dinar Recaps

"Tidbits From TNT" Monday 12-25-2023

TNT:

Tishwash:  Kurdistan will prevent dealing in the dollar in 2024 if Baghdad wants - a special statement

The Minister of Commerce in the Kurdistan Government, Kamal Muslim, confirmed in a statement to the 964 Network that the region only adopts the Iraqi dinar in transactions at the level of border crossings and airports, and said that measures to prevent the circulation of the dollar will include the real estate market, car trade, and other activities during the next year, if a decision is issued to do so by Central Bank of Iraq.

The Central Bank of Iraq decided earlier in 2023 to limit all local transactions to the Iraqi dinar, and after that the Ministry of Interior launched a campaign to prevent dealing in dollars in all governorates with the exception of the Kurdistan region, while indicating that the penalty for violating the law reaches 5 years in prison.

Kamal Muslim - Minister of Trade in the Kurdistan Region:

We are committed to all instructions and decisions regarding stabilizing the dollar exchange rate and increasing the value of the Iraqi dinar, as we deal in the Iraqi dinar exclusively at the level of border crossings and airports.

At the market level, we will also commit to imposing dealing in the dinar if a decision is issued by the Central Bank requiring it to be used in all market transactions, such as buying and selling goods, homes, and cars in the Kurdistan region.

Network:

Currency market experts say that the issue of “dinarising” local buying and selling operations in the Kurdistan region will have a major impact on the rise in the value of the dinar, because only merchants and tourists need the dollar, and they can obtain it from the Central Bank of Iraq.  link

************

Tishwash:  Long queues in front of the TBI Bank and chaos... Basra employees are subjected to “humiliation”

In long lines in front of the TBI Bank in Basra Governorate, a large number of employees stand; To receive their salaries in a way described as “humiliating,” while some Basra citizens complain about the absence of the Central Bank’s role in the midst of this “chaos.”

A Basra citizen, while documenting on his cell phone camera what he described as “humiliation,” said, “Citizens stand in long lines to receive their salaries at the TBI Bank in Basra Governorate in a humiliating manner.”

He wondered, "Who is responsible for this chaos? Where is the Central Bank of Iraq, and where is the Iraqi state regarding what is happening?"

 He added, "There is fear among the citizens standing in line despite the security deployment, as most of them hold peace for fear of being deprived," indicating that"receiving salaries in this way is very shameful    link' 

************

Tishwash:  Iraq is going through major changes.” Parliamentary Finance identifies 3 factors that control the 2024 budget

Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Mudar Al-Karawi, identified three factors that control Iraq’s budget for the year 2024.

Al-Karawi said in a press interview seen by “Taqaddam” that “the volume of actual and total spending for Iraq in the year 2024 may exceed the current year, amid expectations of an increase in the exchange rate with the launch of more than 1,300 service projects nationwide,” pointing out that “the economic situation is recovering.” But very slowly due to accumulations extending over years.”

He added, “It is not possible to be certain from now that inflation will remain at its current levels, and it may decrease or rise, in addition to not confirming that a financial deficit in 2024 will be larger or smaller than the current year,” indicating that “Iraq is living with major changes after the Gaza war and its repercussions that have affected it.” “It began to be monitored through what is happening in Bab al-Mandab and other areas, and the possibility of expanding confrontations in the Middle East in general.”

Al-Karawi indicated, “The Finance Committee will hold a series of meetings with the Ministry of Finance and the rest of the institutions concerned with the economy at the beginning of next year.” To determine the expected deficit rates and what solutions are proposed,” he pointed out, “stability, oil prices that are compatible with the country’s needs, and exchange mechanisms are all factors influencing the 2024 budget.”

After a difficult struggle that extended for months, the House of Representatives voted on the general financial budget for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025 last June, after a series of sessions that extended until the early hours of dawn, which resulted in a tripartite budget, the highest in the history of Iraq, as it was described as “explosive” with a value of 198 trillion and 910 billion dinars.  link

Mot: Shopping for my sweetie!!

Mot: Christmas stress for husband

Mot:  ... cutest present under the tree

Urgent2023.. He started with a good news and ends with hope for the Iraqis.

TNT:

CandyKisses:  Urgent2023.. He started with a good news and ends with hope for the Iraqis.

{Reports: Al-Furat News} Report: Ammar Al-Masoudi

2023 was not a normal year for Iraqis like other years in the past, so it began with an Iraqi good news in a sports victory with a political touch that was absent from the country for 40 years and passed with local elections that froze for a decade.

A football tournament with a political flavor

During this year, which is coming to an end, Iraqis lived happy times with winning the Gulf Cup for the 4th time in the history of the country, and very difficult times with the events of the bloody city of Kirkuk and the tragedy of the Hamdaniya fire, but at the same time the swinging political, economic and security developments remained the most influential on the mood of the street and the Iraqi citizen, who he hopes will bring 2024 political and economic stability.

The beginning of 2023 began promising for Iraq, the country that has suffered during the last two decades from acts of violence, terrorism, and sharp political, national and sectarian divisions, and many expected that the ways to succeed are in front of Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani after he was chosen as prime minister at the end of October 2022.

For the first time in years, parliament approves a prime minister by the majority of the Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces, which were recombined within the framework of the so-called "state administration alliance", in addition to the unlimited support provided to him by the coordination framework, and moreover; Al-Sudani had inherited from his predecessor, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazimi, a financial treasury estimated at about 85 billion dollars, and more than 100 tons of gold, in addition to the relative security space that the country experienced after bitter years of unrest and violence.

Cut the dollar

In February, the Central Bank of Iraq, in coordination with the government, decided to raise the value of the Iraqi dinar against the dollar from 1460 to 1320 dinars per dollar, as part of attempts to alleviate the crisis of high dollar exchange rates in the parallel market and its impact on inflation and prices in the markets on citizens.

International court ruling. And a broken execution

Although in March, the government won an international court ruling against Turkey for wrongdoing in the case of the Kurdistan region's oil crossing into the port of Ceyhan, the subsequent repercussions of this ruling caused Iraq to lose more than $5 billion after the suspension of continuous oil pumping since that date.

The biggest budget in Iraq

In mid-May, the largest annual budget in Iraq was approved since 2003, and during the budget some articles of the constitution were amended, including Article 14, which provoked the ire of the Kurdistan region, and prompted the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Massoud Barzani, describing it as violations of the rights and legitimacy of the region, saying: "The Kurdistan region is not only a red line but a line of death."

Article 14, after the amendment, gave the legitimacy of the federal government in Baghdad to deduct the financial dues to any governorate of the Kurdistan region and finance them directly, that is, the distribution of the salaries of the region's employees through Baghdad and not Erbil, in the event that the territorial government does not disburse the financial dues to the governorates, in accordance with the standards followed in the law.

At the end of the same month, the Federal Court ruled that the Kurdistan Regional Parliament was unconstitutional, and that all decisions issued by the Kurdistan Regional Parliament from October 2022 were considered null and void.

Burning the Holy Quran and its repercussions

In June, the case of burning the Holy Quran in Sweden erupted by a Christian immigrant of Iraqi origin, causing severe popular anger and a political crisis with Sweden, especially after people stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and burned it, and then the government summoned the Swedish ambassador, as well as recalling its ambassador in Stockholm and cutting off relations between the two countries.

Against the background of the events, the Supreme Religious Authority sent a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations regarding the attack on a copy of the Holy Quran with a license from the Swedish police, in which it expressed its condemnation and condemnation of what happened and called on the United Nations to take effective steps to prevent the recurrence of his likes and push countries to reconsider the legislation that allows it to occur.

Displacement of Saco

At the beginning of the first week of July, President Abdul Latif Rashid issued the decisions of the Republican Decree on the appointment of Patriarch Louis Sayko, as the position of Patriarch of Babylon over the Chaldeans in Iraq and the world, and in the mantrust of its endowments, which prompted the Chaldean Patriarchate in Iraq to announce its rejection of the decision.

American crowds and official exile

In August, various media outlets and political circles reported on the increase in the number of American soldiers in Iraq, in addition to talk of US military crowds on the Iraqi-Syrian border, and speculation was about the possibility of Washington launching military attacks against some armed factions, before Baghdad and Washington denied these rumbs.

Nineveh disaster

At the beginning of September, the province of Kirkuk witnessed a bloody night after the Kurdistan Democratic Party, which is controlled by the security forces since 2017, tried to demand its return, but Arab and Turkmen objections prevented this, and the crisis ended with the death of 4 elements of the party's supporters during a confrontation with the security forces in front of the headquarters, and the crisis ended later after the Democratic Party dedicated its headquarters to the University of Kirkuk.

By the end of September, a tragic incident shook the country's feelings after a massive fire broke out in the {Al-Haytham} event hall in Al-Hamdaniyah province in Nineveh Governorate, killing at least 120 people, and infecting dozens of burns and serious injuries.

The repercussions of Gaza and the return of the bombing

In October, everything in Iraq seemed to be subject to security escalation as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict entered a new phase of the conflict in Gaza, and with the state of the Iraqi geographical distance relative to the conflict area there; with the return of rocket attacks by armed factions on areas and camps where US forces are located in Iraq and Syria in response to the announcement of the US side of its support for Israel in its aggression on Gaza and the killing of civilians.

Halabousi isolation

Last November, the Federal Supreme Court decided to terminate the membership of Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi from the House of Representatives, against the backdrop of a lawsuit filed by former MP Laith Al-Dulaimi, accusing Halabousi of rigging the resignation of Al-Dulaimi and pushing him to sign a white paper, in addition to accusing Al-Halbousi of cooperating with Israeli parties to pave the way for the normalization of Iraq with Israel, which Al-Halbousi denied.

The position of the Presidency of the House of Representatives has remained vacant so far for the lack of political consensus on the candidates.

On the 16th of the month, the Federal Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit of the Cardinal Prosecutor Mar Louis-Raphael I Sako, Patriarch of Babylon, against the Chaldeans in Iraq and the world and confirmed the legality of the Republican Decree by invalidizing his appointment.

provincial elections

The local elections are perhaps the most prominent event that concludes in 2023 after the Iraqis cast their votes on December 18 in local elections that have been suspended since 2013 and for the first time in the province of Kirkuk since 2005 and excluded the provinces of the Kurdistan region scheduled for the first quarter of the new year 2024.

The forces of the coordination framework, sporadically in these elections, which witnessed a 41% participation according to the Electoral Commission, achieved a wide victory by obtaining 101 seats in all governorates out of 285 seats.

On the future of Iraq in 2024, analysts believe that it will be a year of economic and political stability, especially after the passage and launch of the budget, which includes billions of dollars, and therefore this will be reflected positively on political and security stability, and the launch of local elections, and the election of governors and provincial councils, may give strength and expansion of projects within the provinces.

On the security side, they see that the security situation will be more stable, especially after the arrest of the attackers of American bases, and these are all positive indicators that the Iraqi government does not flame, but diagnose and show seriousness in maintaining security and stability."

With regard to the security of the Kurdistan region, analysts believe that the region will witness qualitative stability, because the stability of Baghdad supports the stability of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, especially after the start of elections in Kirkuk, which will contribute to resolving the Kurdish-Kurdish, Shiite-Kurdish, and Arab-Kurdish conflict, and that all indicators confirm that 2024 will witness more stability than in the past years.

https://alforatnews.iq/news/2023-

Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Sunday Afternoon 12-24-23

Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Sunday Afternoon 12-24-23

Tlm724 Administrator Bondlady’s Corner

The American Ambassador: We Will Continue To Provide Dollar Services To Iraq

Political | 12/24/2023   Mawazine News – Baghdad  The US Ambassador to Iraq, Alenia Romanski, announced today, Sunday, that her country will continue to provide US dollar services to Iraq.

Romanski said in a tweet, “The executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States continues its cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq.”

Romanowski added, "Many Iraqi banks have formed relationships with international banks for the first time, which is a positive step in making progress in reforming the banking sector. We will continue to provide US dollar services to Iraq in the interest of economic stability."

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=239571

Sudanese Advisor On The Dollar: The Battle Is Almost Over

Economy | 12/24/2023  Mawazine News – Baghdad  The media advisor to the Prime Minister, Hisham Al-Rikabi, confirmed today, Sunday, that our battle with the dollar is nearing the end.

Al-Rikabi stated in a tweet followed by Mawazine News, that “the will of the Sudanese government to carry out reform within the financial institutions in Iraq and the insistence on correction were important factors in strengthening confidence between Baghdad and Washington, and constituted a positive step in achieving success within the banking sector.”

He noted that "we said it before and we confirm it today. Our battle with the dollar is almost over."

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=239579

The dollar continues its gradual decline, falling to 150 dinars

Economy | 12/24/2023   Mawazine News – Baghdad  The exchange rates of the US dollar continue to decline against the Iraqi dinar in the local markets in the capital, Baghdad, and the provinces.

Dollar prices fell with the closure of the main Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges in Baghdad, recording 150,200 Iraqi dinars against 100 dollars, while this morning it recorded 151,950 Iraqi dinars against 100 dollars.

Selling prices in banking shops in local markets in Baghdad declined, as the selling price reached 151,250 dinars for 100 dollars, while the purchase price reached 149,250 dinars for 100 dollars.

It is noteworthy that the Federal Reserve Bank, the US central bank, imposed procedures and restrictions on external financial transfers from Iraq, to ​​ensure that they do not reach Tehran and Damascus.    https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=239578

A Significant Decline In Iraq's Oil Exports To America Last Week

Energy  Economy News – Baghdad  The US Energy Information Administration announced on Sunday that Iraq's oil exports to America declined significantly over the past week.

A table published by the administration showed that “the average US imports of crude oil during the past week from nine major countries amounted to 5.674 million barrels per day, an increase of 168 thousand barrels per day from the previous week, which amounted to 5.506 million barrels per day.”

The table added that Iraq's oil exports to America amounted to 22 thousand barrels per day last week, down by 63 thousand barrels per day from the previous week, which reached an average of 85 thousand barrels per day.

She indicated that most of America's oil revenues during the past week came from Canada at an average of 3,686 million barrels per day, followed by Mexico with an average of 851 million barrels per day, and oil revenues from Saudi Arabia amounted to an average of 406 thousand barrels per day, and then Colombia at an average of 215 thousand barrels per day.

According to the administration, “the amount of American imports of crude oil, from Brazil at a rate of 197 thousand barrels per day, from Nigeria at a rate of 162 thousand barrels per day, from Libya at a rate of 86 thousand barrels per day, and from Ecuador at a rate of 49 thousand barrels per day, while no quantity of oil was imported.” Russia . 12/24/2023 - https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=38775

Central Bank Sales Exceed $209 Million Today 

Sunday 24 December 2023 | Economical Number of readings: 317 Baghdad / NINA / The Central Bank of Iraq announced, today, Sunday, its total sales of foreign currency through the electronic window.

The total transfers abroad (remittances, credits) amounted to $180,262,684, while the total cash sales amounted to $28,940,000, and the total sales amounted to $209,202,684.

The cash sale price was calculated at 1,305 dinars per dollar, while the bond credits, international settlements for the electronic card, and external transfers were at 1,310 dinars per dollar. /End 11

https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1097104

During The Meeting With Private Banks, The Private Sector Department Takes New Measures To Support Projects

Economy | 12/24/2023  Mawazine News – Baghdad  The Private Sector Department in the Ministry of Commerce organized, on Sunday, a “deliberative” meeting for a number of bank guarantee and project financing companies, private banks, and a number of sectoral ministries, organizations and unions of the Iraqi private sector to develop mechanisms for supporting medium, small and micro projects and the possibility of providing financial loans through banks.

Civil and governmental institutions, as well as finding serious solutions to address the problems and obstacles facing the work of these projects.

The media of the Private Sector Department stated in a statement, “The meeting discussed in detail the mechanisms of support provided to small projects and overcoming the obstacle of guarantees that may be an obstacle” to granting these loans, including It preserves public money and contributes to providing possible facilities for the success of micro-projects.

According to the statement, Assistant Director General of the Private Sector Development Department, Muhammad Hanoun, pointed out, according to the statement, a number of recommendations that came out of the meeting, most notably the submission of a proposal by the Iraqi Company for Bank Guarantees to establish a guarantee fund managed by The company is funded by the Central Bank.

He added, "The recommendations also included an agreement to continue holding meetings and to form a committee of banks and sectoral bodies concerned with supporting small projects, in addition to representatives from other banks and the Central Bank, and an agreement to establish a working mechanism for how to support small projects, which will be discussed by the members of the committee and submitted to higher authorities."

The Private Sector Development Department in the Ministry of Commerce had announced a platform (support) initiative for small and micro projects through coordination with the Central Bank of Iraq and a number of government banks, as well as holding workshops to train project owners to prepare an economic feasibility study for projects scheduled to be established in various fields of work as well. The department works to implement the national strategy for developing the private sector.

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=239580

The President Of The Republic Congratulates Christians On The Occasion Of Christmas

Iraq  Sunday, December 24, 2023 Baghdad/National News Center  Today, Sunday, President Abdel Latif Rashid recalled the Hamdaniya incident on the occasion of Christmas and New Year.

Rashid said in a blog post followed by the National News Center: “We extend our congratulations and blessings to our Christian people in Iraq and the entire world on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year, wishing security and peace for our country, our people, and throughout the region and the world.”

He added: “On this occasion, we remember the victims of the painful Hamdaniya incident. May they have mercy and may their families have patience and solace.”  https://nnciraq.com/242723/

To read more current and reliable Iraqi news please visit BondLady’s Corner:

https://www.bondladyscorner.com/

Provoking Points To Ponder on Inspiration:

It is the spur of ignorance, the consciousness of not understanding, and the curiosity about that which lies beyond that are essential to our progress.  - John Pierce

One starts an action simply because one must do something.  - T. S. Eliot

What you are must always displease you, if you would attain to that which you are not. - Saint Augustine

If you're good to your staff when things are going well, they'll rally when times go bad.  - Mary Kay Ash

Praise out of season, or tactlessly bestowed, can freeze the heart as much as blame.- Pearl S. Buck

The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real.  - Marge Piercy

Beware of trying to accomplish anything by force.  - Angela Merici

Every true man, sir, who is a little above the level of the beasts and plants, lives so as to give a meaning and a value to his own life.  - Luigi Pirandello

Never let go of that fiery sadness called desire.  - Patti Smith 

For every man there exists a bait which he cannot resist swallowing.  - Friedrich Nietzsche

The moment somebody says to me, "This is very risky," is the moment it becomes attractive to me. - Kate Capshaw

Discontent is the first step in progress. No one knows what is in him till he tries, and many would never try if they were not forced to.  - Basil W. Maturin

All progress is based upon a universal, innate desire on the part of every living organism to live beyond its income.  - Samuel Butler

It is the spur of ignorance, the consciousness of not understanding, and the curiosity about that which lies beyond that are essential to our progress.  - John Pierce

One starts an action simply because one must do something.  - T. S. Eliot

What you are must always displease you, if you would attain to that which you are not. - Saint Augustine

Famous Quotes and Authors, Famous Quotations for all Occasions

"Tidbits From TNT" Sunday 12-24-2023

TNT:

Tishwash:  The Sudanese financial advisor reveals a surprise regarding the dollar: Watch for the decline

The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed that the dollar exchange rates in the parallel market began to approach the official price set at 1,320 dinars per dollar after the recent measures taken by the Central Bank and the Iraqi government.

Saleh said in a press interview, “The high capabilities of Iraq’s currency reserves and the good management of directing them to finance foreign trade have resulted in a significant improvement in the exchange rate in the parallel market over the past period.”

He added, "The dollar exchange rates in the parallel market have begun to approach the official price, for reasons including the regularity of foreign trade for the private sector through the compliance platform, the Iraqi banks showing great flexibility in dealing with it to secure foreign transfers, and Iraq's openness to cash transfers, including electronic payment cards and importing foreign currency into...

The country regulates the financing of foreign trade in various currencies, including the euro and the UAE dirham.

He pointed out that "the measures taken by the Central Bank and the Iraqi government and the large cash reserves created a flexible market for foreign currency that contained the fluctuations of the parallel market," adding that "the dollar exchange rates continue to decline and are approaching the official price." link

************

CandyKisses:  Foreign newspapers: "Great" preparations for Iraqis to celebrate New Year's Day despite "difficulties"

Baghdad Today - Translation

Foreign newspapers announced  that Iraq is witnessing "great preparations" by Iraqis to celebrate the holiday season and New Year's despite "difficulties".

The Canadian newspaper Presse said in a report translated by "Baghdad Today", that "the economic inflation that the country is suffering from now did not affect in any way the manifestations of the celebration of the holiday season," stressing "decorations filled the streets and markets crowded with shoppers despite the relative inflation suffered by the economy now and the decline in the number of Christians inside the country as a result of the events of the past years."

The Republic newspaper also confirmed that Saturday's markets witnessed a rise in shopping in Iraqi cities in general, announcing that the Christmas buying season is "still very live" in Iraq despite those difficulties that the country is going through, in reference to relative economic inflation.

It is noteworthy that Iraq celebrates annually the Press of the Gregorian year based on the Gregorian calendar officially in force in Iraq in addition to Christian Christmas as part of the country's local traditions.

************

Littleman:  Twas The Night Before Reval

Twas the night before reval, when all through the house
Not a creature was sleeping, not even my spouse.
The Dinars were laid on the table with care,
In hopes that the news soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of new cars danced in their heads.
And mamma in her snuggie, and I in my drawers,
Had just settled our brains for a long currency war.

When on the computer there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.
Away to DinarGuru.com I typed with a clash,
opening to the homepage to see the NEWS  FLASH.

The glow of the screen on my laid out Dinar
Gave the vision of dreams I had held at afar.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a flashing notice the RV was here.

The government was seated, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be a trick.
More rapid than eagles they fell all in line,
The IMF had told them "Now is the time".

"Now Sudani! now, Allawi! now, Abadi and Saad!
On, Mullahs! On, Kurds! on, Ashour and Awaad!
To the top of the basket! to the top of the chart!
Now Revaluate! Revaluate! The RV must start!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the top of the forex charts they flew,
With accounts full of dollars, and new millionaires too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the tile
The prancing and dancing of my wife gone wild.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
I heard my phone ring, a startling sound.

It was my neighbor, who lives down the street,
He is a banker for Chase, and asked could we meet.
A bundle of ideals he had in his mind, of places my riches to put
he could find,
He sounded excited, but I had my plan set in my mind.

His voice how it lifted! He sounded so merry!
His words were like candy, his attitude so cherry!
He promised an exchange rate, without a great spread,
I feared if I trusted my dreams would be dead.

The receiver of the phone, he held tight in his hand,
And I could tell his heart, was beating like a band.
I could imagine his broad face and a big round belly,
That shook when he spoke, like a bowlful of jelly!

He is chubby and plump, like a fat old elf,
And I laughed when I thought about him, in spite of myself!
He asked me to call soon, as he was going to bed,
I thought to myself I have nothing to dread.

I put down the phone, and went straight to work,
I counted my money, then turned with a jerk.
I felt a soft finger aside of my nose,
And there stood my wife in an amorous pose!

I sprang to my feet, and let out a whistle,
And away we flew to our room like the down of a thistle.
The children surely heard me exclaim, as we dove out of sight,
"Happy RV to all, and to all a good-night!"

Author......Unknown

Mot:  .... Trust me! - I Knows!!! ~~~~~

Mot:  . Save a Seat fer Sure!!!