Tishwash: Al-Sudani, Russian envoy discuss bilateral cooperation and stability
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Wednesday with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special representative to the Middle East and North Africa, to discuss bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors, according to a statement from Al-Sudani’s media office.
The discussions also addressed regional and international developments, focusing on “efforts aimed at strengthening stability in the region.” The prime minister reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to “fostering stronger ties between Iraq and Russia.”
The meeting follows earlier talks in Baghdad between Iraqi Speaker of Parliament Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani and a Russian delegation led by Bogdanov,
Statement from PM Al-Sudani’s media office:
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Wednesday, the Special Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation to the Middle East and North Africa, Mr. Mikhail Bogdanov. The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Iraq and Russia and explored ways to enhance cooperation across various fields.
The discussions also covered regional and international developments and efforts aimed at strengthening stability in the region. Prime Minister Al-Sudani expressed his initial approval to participate in the upcoming Arab-Russian Summit to be hosted by the Russian Federation, recognizing its importance in advancing mutual interests.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering stronger ties between Iraq and Russia and expanding avenues of cooperation in multiple sectors. He also emphasized the need to enhance collaboration on the Development Road project and Russian initiatives concerning transit routes to ensure shared benefits and the growth of common interests.
For his part, Mr. Bogdanov conveyed the greetings of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Prime Minister Al-Sudani and reaffirmed his government’s keenness to activate bilateral memoranda of understanding. He also confirmed Russia’s readiness for the upcoming tenth meeting of the Iraqi-Russian Joint Committee, which will oversee the implementation of agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two nations.
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Tishwash: Participants to Al-Sabah: Baghdad International Fair is a golden opportunity for economic cooperation
Participants in the Baghdad International Fair considered it a “golden opportunity” that could be a supportive starting point for the sustainable development process that the country is witnessing.
The 48th edition of the exhibition this year is witnessing a wide turnout from citizens, investors and businessmen, due to the quality of companies and products displayed locally and internationally.
Industrial investments
The official of the Ministry of Industry wing, Mohammed Qasim, told Al-Sabah: “Iraq is heading towards localizing its national industry, as well as bringing in global industries through investment within the country,” noting that “this matter requires the creation of an ideal work environment that is in harmony with the requirements of industrial investment and actually contributes to turning the wheel of industrial production.”
Industrial cities
Qasim stressed that “industrial cities are considered a trend that can contribute to localizing industry in Iraq, as these cities will provide all the requirements of the Iraqi and foreign industrialist, especially since the path of development has recalculated the calculations of many companies that can transfer their industries to Iraq and launch from it to various markets of the world.”
He pointed out that “the exhibition is an important opportunity to communicate with Arab and foreign participants who came with a real desire to be present in local markets, especially since Iraq has become the focus of attention of major international companies.”
Golden opportunity
Baghdad Chamber of Commerce Advisor Wahbi Al-Khafaf told Al-Sabah: “The Chamber views the exhibition as a golden opportunity that can be used to serve the Iraqi economy, which needs combined local and international efforts to move its wheel.”
Available opportunities
Al-Khafaf pointed out that “the companies present at the exhibition have a great desire to work inside Iraq, which is considered a “promising market” that can benefit those who work inside it and invest in the available opportunities in all production and service sectors.”
He also pointed out that “the companies that have come with new goods know that the Iraqi market is large and can accommodate regional and international presence, and some are thinking of localizing their industry within the country.”
More space
As for the representative of the Iraqi Iron Company, he explained to “Al-Sabah”, “The exhibition gave the company a larger space to communicate with the companies participating in the exhibition, especially construction and reconstruction companies and contracting companies that implement major projects that require huge quantities of iron to create concrete blocks.”
He stressed that “the national product is manufactured according to international specifications and competes with the best of its global counterparts.”
Local companies
He pointed out that “the exhibition represents an important opportunity, as it saved us a lot of effort and time in reaching this number of local and international companies.”
He pointed out that “the citizen provided an opportunity to communicate with citizens who learned about the nature of the company’s products, selling prices, and product efficiency, as the exhibition is a free opportunity for dissemination.”
Renew participation
A representative of the Pakistani company GFC, which specializes in electrical appliances, confirmed to Al-Sabah that the exhibition is important.
He pointed out that “the Iraqi citizen’s interest in the pavilion created a desire to renew participation in all exhibitions organized inside Iraq, especially since the Iraqi market is vast, and we can be present in all cities.”
Second package
In turn, the representative of the Ministry of Construction and Housing, Aram Majeed, told Al-Sabah, “The presence of the ministry’s team inside the Baghdad International Fair comes to reflect the ministry’s achievements during the past year, the projects that have been implemented and those under implementation, and the projects of the second package that will be launched soon, and includes a number of important projects, including the bridge that connects the Kadhimiya area with the Al-Krayat area.”
Economic cooperation
As for the financial affairs specialist, Athir Abdul Baqi, he said about the exhibition: “The banking sector is an important axis for any economic cooperation between Iraq and the countries of the world, and through our movement inside the exhibition, we noticed the presence of international companies inside the banks’ pavilions and inquired about the nature of the products offered, and how the money movement is going.”
Development plans
He pointed out to “Al-Sabah” that “most delegations stop at the issue or the joint of the development plans for the performance of the banking system, and where it stands among the services provided regionally and internationally, as companies look forward to entering into various businesses within Iraq and studying the reality of the financial sector and the services provided by the banking system.”
(1250) companies of various specializations representing 22 Arab and foreign countries are participating in the 48th session of the Baghdad International Fair.
Economic growth
Economic expert Aqil Al-Hamad told Al-Sabah: “Trade fairs generally represent a facade that indicates the extent of the country’s economic and urban growth.”
He added, “The Baghdad Exhibition is important for international companies, especially since the volume of turnout is large from foreign investors, and it has become a real proof of Iraq’s economic importance.“
Industrial reality
He explained that “exhibitions work to create solid partnerships between the private sector and foreign companies, and this in itself is an important factor that can improve the nature of the industrial and development reality, in addition to its role in providing many job opportunities and meeting the market’s needs for solid local products. In order to achieve the maximum possible degree of benefit, government agencies must hold more meetings with Iraqi economic organizations to learn about the nature of the exhibitions that should be held.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade stated that “its formations participated in the 48th session of the Baghdad International Fair, with special pavilions within the framework of enhancing economic cooperation and cultural exchange.
She explained in a statement received by “Al-Sabah” that “the companies’ participation came to highlight their activities and announce and promote their investment projects, which reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing sustainable development and supporting innovation in various fields.”
She pointed out that “the exhibition is an ideal platform for communication between companies and investors, and reflects Iraq’s ability to host major international events that enhance its economic position in the region, as it included a wide range of local and international companies displaying their latest products and services,” indicating that “the pavilions of the ministry’s formations witnessed a great turnout from visitors, and a comprehensive presentation was given on the projects and programs implemented by the ministry’s companies in various sectors.”
The Ministry also invited visitors, whether officials, business owners or citizens, to visit its companies’ pavilions and learn about future projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening the national economy. link
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Tishwash: Sami meets with Ernst & Young to restructure banks: Strategy includes electronic payment
Finance Minister Taif Sami said on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, that the strategic plan to restructure banks includes introducing “modern technologies” such as electronic payment.
Meeting to follow up on the restructuring procedures of Rafidain and Rashid Banks and insurance companies
According to a statement seen by “Ultra Iraq”, Finance Minister Taif Sami held “an expanded meeting with the head of the Insurance Bureau, directors of government banks and insurance companies, and the international auditing and oversight company (Ernst & Young) to follow up on the measures taken to implement the restructuring of insurance companies and government banks, most notably Rafidain and Rashid Banks.”
Sami pointed out that “the restructuring represents a fundamental step to enhance financial stability and improve the efficiency of government banks in accordance with international standards,” stressing “the importance of developing banking systems, enhancing internal control, and implementing specialized training programs for banking cadres to ensure the provision of advanced financial services.”
The Minister explained that “the strategic plan will include introducing modern banking technologies, such as electronic payment, enhancing transparency, improving capital management and completing the comprehensive banking system, in addition to cooperating with international financial institutions and benefiting from global expertise, in addition to setting specific time frames for implementing modernization operations, which will raise the efficiency of government banks and support the national economy.” link
