Tishwash: The 2027 budget is nearing Parliament… This is its expected arrival date
Member of Parliament Rabie al-Moussawi revealed on Thursday the expected date for submitting the draft federal budget law for 2027 to Parliament, predicting its arrival by the middle of next month to begin discussions.
Al-Moussawi stated, in a statement reported by the Video News Agency, that the government is finalizing the draft budget in preparation for its official submission to Parliament. He noted that the Finance Committee and parliamentary blocs are awaiting its arrival to study its details and financial provisions.
He added that Parliament will focus on auditing financial revenues and ensuring the rights of the provinces and eligible groups, emphasizing that Parliament will work to make the necessary amendments and reallocations to achieve a fair distribution of wealth and prevent any financial injustice.
Al-Moussawi stressed the importance of finalizing and voting on the budget according to the constitutional timelines, ensuring that the financial entitlements of the provinces and the covered segments of society are taken into account. link
Tishwash: There is an attempt to increase the Kurdistan Region’s share of the budget
Summary of the news
Work on the draft budget law continues at the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Financial allocations for new ministries will be determined.
The Kurdistan Region is requesting 14.14% of the budget and Baghdad has allocated less.
Ahmadi Haji Rashid, a member of the Finance Committee of the Iraqi Parliament, told Channel 8 that the Ministry of Finance is working on the provisions on which the draft bill has been sent back. “There is an attempt to increase the share of the Kurdistan Region, and the increase depends on the success of the attempt,” he said.
Article 10 of the Budget Bill:
The Kurdistan Region’s share is 12.70%.
The effort is to the rate is set to 14.14%.
Ahmadi Haji Rashid:
This increase creates a problem for budget schedules and must be adjusted.
After completing these requests, the Ministry of Finance will send the draft budget back to the Council of Ministers.
All ministries will submit their comments on the draft.
After discussion of the draft by ministers, if they agree with the draft, they must sign it.
Regarding the impact of the Kurdish ministers’ failure to sign the draft if the Kurdistan Region’s share is not changed, Ahmad Haji Rashid said that the failure to sign the draft by four ministers is a pressure in itself and should be taken into account. link
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Tishwash: American company Uber wants to enter Iraq under its original brand; the Minister of Transport met with its representative.
On Thursday (October 29), Minister of Transport Wahab Al-Hassani discussed with the CEO of the American company Uber in the Middle East its desire to enter the Iraqi market with its original brand. The meeting witnessed discussions about prospects for cooperation and benefiting from the company’s experience in transportation services via smart applications.
The Ministry of Transport stated in a statement, which was followed by the 964 Network , that “Minister of Transport Wahab Al-Hassani met with the CEO of the American company Uber in the Middle East, and discussed with him the company’s desire to enter the Iraqi market with its original brand, and opportunities to exchange experiences and expertise in the transport sector.”
According to the statement, “The company representative confirmed that the security stability that Iraq is witnessing is a key incentive to move towards the Iraqi market and provide its services there.”
The meeting witnessed “fruitful discussions regarding prospects for cooperation and benefiting from the company’s experience in transportation services via smart applications.” link
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Tishwash: The Central Bank reveals the date for granting final approvals for the establishment of digital banks.
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed that final approvals for the establishment of digital banks will be issued by the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028, noting that granting licenses is contingent upon the completion of the banking reform phases.
Mahmoud Dagher, advisor to the Central Bank Governor and his spokesperson, said that the entities that submitted applications to establish electronic banks and obtained initial approvals are aware of the date for issuing the final approvals.
He added that the licensing process is subject to banking reform led by the global management consulting firm Oliver Wyman, and that this phase will be completed by the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028. link
Tishwash: Customs Authority discusses with UN experts the completion of the final phase of ASYCUDA and the implementation of the Single Window system.
The Director General of the General Authority of Customs, Thamer Qasim Dawood, discussed on Wednesday with experts from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) the requirements for completing the third and final phase of the ASYCUDA system, within the digital transformation plan for the Iraqi customs system extending until the end of 2028.
The authority stated that the meeting reviewed the completion of the first and second phases at 100%, and the application of the system in 25 customs centers across land, sea and air ports, in addition to developing electronic payment, smart monitoring, risk management and electronic linking with relevant authorities.
She added that the final phase focuses on establishing a single window system for foreign trade, and unifying electronic procedures between government institutions, supporting bodies and the banking sector, which will contribute to reducing the multiplicity of procedures and manual interventions and accelerating the completion of commercial transactions.
The meeting also addressed enhancing electronic integration with the Central Bank, banks and sectoral bodies, developing data exchange related to customs permits and financial transfers, as well as updating audit and control systems for early detection of violations and protection of public revenues.
Daoud stressed the importance of intensifying technical coordination with UNCTAD experts, addressing technical obstacles, raising infrastructure readiness, and developing the capabilities of national staff to ensure the project is completed according to the approved timetables link
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Tishwash: US Gives Iraq Until June 2027 to Disarm Armed Groups or Face Sanctions: Farhad Atrushi
Atrushi warned that Iraq could face severe sanctions if the government and the armed groups fail to comply with the new deadline.
The United States has extended its deadline for Iraqi armed groups to surrender their weapons until June 30, 2027, giving the Iraqi government additional time to bring weapons under state control, Farhad Atrushi, Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, said.
Atrushi said the US Chargé d’Affaires to Iraq informed him of Washington’s decision to extend the deadline, which was originally set for September 30. He described the extension as a sign of US flexibility and an opportunity for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to address the issue.
However, Atrushi warned that Iraq could face severe sanctions if the government and the armed groups fail to comply with the new deadline. He also cautioned that the country could be designated a state sponsor of terrorism if it fails to meet Washington’s demands.
Although the information was not initially intended for public discussion, Atrushi said recent remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reflected Washington’s position on the issue.
Rubio has warned that Iraq could face a fate similar to that of Balkan countries if armed militias refuse to disarm and weapons remain outside the control of the state.
“If we want strong relations with the United States, they also have conditions,” Atrushi said, explaining that Washington expects Iraq to meet its demands as part of efforts to maintain bilateral relations.
He added that the US position was reciprocal: if Iraq rejected Washington’s conditions, the United States would also be unwilling to accept Iraq’s demands.
The dispute over armed groups comes amid broader efforts to consolidate state authority over weapons and strengthen Iraq’s security institutions, as Washington continues to press Baghdad to prevent armed factions from operating independently of the government.
The future of US-Iraq relations also remains tied to security cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, and economic and energy ties, with Washington urging Baghdad to ensure that armed groups do not threaten US interests or undermine Iraqi state institutions. link