TNT – “Tidbits From TNT” Friday 12-8-2023

Tishwash:  No vacation until the end of the year.” The Minister of Finance issues a directive to the employees of the Budget Department

 Minister of Finance, Taif Sami, today, Friday, December 8, 2023, directed the employees of the Budget Department to continue official working hours on Fridays and Saturdays until the end of the current year 2023.

The ministry stated in a statement received by Al-Sumaria News, “Minister of FinanceSublime spectrumI directed the continuation of official working hours for Budget Department employees on Fridays and Saturdays until the end of the current year 2023.  link

Tishwash:  Kuwait Central Bank implements measures to rein in Dollar use in Banks and Exchanges

According to this policy, the exchange rate of the dinar is determined based on a specially weighted basket of currencies from countries with significant commercial and financial ties to Kuwait

The Central Bank of Kuwait has communicated to local banks that it will not cover dollar purchases directed to exchange companies if such acquisitions are intended for speculation or investment purposes, reports Al- Rai daily quoting informed sources. The Central Bank emphasized that it will consistently supply any quantities of the dollar directed towards meeting the needs of customers engaged in money transfer operations.

Sources elucidated that the Central Bank has informed local banks that they are permitted to continue procuring dollars to fulfill transactions with their customers, a practice that remains unchanged. However, banks are now required to ensure that the dollar amounts acquired from the Central Bank for exchange companies are primarily aimed at fulfilling the needs of their customers exclusively. Any shortfall in this regard must be independently covered by the bank. It was further explained that any purchases of dollars by banks or exchange companies for investment, commercial, or speculative objectives must be covered by the bank or company’s own Cooperaresources.

 This can include utilizing its existing stock of the currency or acquiring it through the open market or other alternatives distinct from the Central Bank’s facilities.

The Central Bank is positioned to cater to the foreign currency needs of banks, aligning with the approach taken by other central banks in the region that adhere to a fixed exchange rate with another currency. Highlighting Kuwait’s exchange policy for the dinar, the sources emphasized its objective of maintaining the relative stability of the dinar’s price against other currencies. According to this policy, the exchange rate of the dinar is determined based on a specially weighted basket of currencies from countries with significant commercial and financial ties to Kuwait.

The sources underscored the effectiveness of the Central Bank’s policy in achieving a notable degree of relative stability in the dinar’s exchange rate against major global currencies. link

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

Tishwash:  Baghdad.. Washington has no intention of leaving Iraq

Iraqi armed factions announced their targeting of American forces in Ain al-Assad, western Iraq, while political parties confirm that Washington will not withdraw from Iraq even if Baghdad demands its withdrawal.  

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

CandyKisses:  The US Embassy in Baghdad announces that it was attacked by two missiles and calls on the Iraqi government – Urgent

Baghdad Today – Baghdad

Today, Friday (December 8, 2023), the US Embassy in Baghdad announced that it had been attacked by two missiles, while issuing an invitation to the Iraqi government.

The office of the spokesman for the US embassy said in a statement received by “Baghdad Today”, that “at about 4:15 am on Friday, the US embassy was attacked with two missiles,” noting that “assessments are still ongoing, and There were no reports of injuries in the embassy complex.”

“So far, no one has claimed responsibility for this attack, while indications are that the attacks were carried out by pro-Iranian groups, which operate freely in Iraq,” he said.

The US embassy renewed, according to the statement, “the call for the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to protect the personnel and facilities of diplomatic missions and partners in the international coalition,” stressing that “it reserves the right to self-defense and protect its employees anywhere in the world.”

Earlier in the day, a security source reported that explosions were heard near the US embassy in central Baghdad.

The source told “Baghdad Today” that “he heard explosions, at dawn on Friday, the nature of which was not known within the vicinity of the US embassy in Baghdad.”

He pointed out that “sirens have been activated at the embassy,” noting that “preliminary information indicates that the vicinity of the embassy is targeted by missiles whose nature is unknown.”