Tishwash: Within hours… the region’s oil will be re-exported through SOMO
The Ministry of Oil announced today, Friday, that the coming hours will witness the re-export of Kurdistan Region oil through the State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO).
“Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, Eng. Hayan Abdul-Ghani Al-Sawad, is visiting Khor Al-Zubair port to see the gas pipeline connection operations,” she said in a statement.
The minister confirmed, according to the statement, that “Iraq will announce in the coming hours the commencement of the region’s oil export operations through the State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) via the Turkish port of Ceyhan at an initial rate of 185,000 barrels, gradually increasing to reach the capacity specified in the general federal budget.” link
Tishwash: From Safe Internet to Smart Systems” Iraq Enters the Digital Revolution Era with Steady Steps
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed that Iraq is moving steadily towards achieving a major digital renaissance, based on a set of foundations that support this trend.
Saleh explained to {Euphrates News} agency, “The most prominent of these foundations is the progress achieved in two types of infrastructure.”
He explained that “the first category is represented by the advanced technological infrastructure, whether through secure and strong internet networks or digital payment systems that work effectively and efficiently in parallel with each other.”
Saleh continued, “As for the other category, it is the advanced legal infrastructure that provides protection for the rights of users, operators, and the public right against electronic and financial crimes arising from the digital transformation.”
He pointed out “the importance of having the ability to keep pace with the developments of digital technology in the virtual world on an ongoing basis,” indicating that “the advisory team in the General Secretariat and all relevant Iraqi state institutions are keen to achieve this to ensure that Iraq enters the new digital age.” link
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Tishwash: Iraq agrees to supply Lebanon with crude oil, with immediate cash payment
Lebanese media sources quoted informed sources as saying that the Lebanese delegation to Iraq (consisting of IDAL Chairman Mazen Sweid and Brigadier General Hassan Shaqir) agreed with Iraqi officials to renew the fuel supply contract to operate the Electricité du Liban plants with some amendments to its implementation mechanism.
The sources indicated that Iraq will supply about 2 million tons of crude oil after it had been supplying fuel oil, in exchange for paying the price of the shipments in cash and immediately, unlike the three previous versions of the contract that included Lebanon paying the price of the shipments through services provided in Lebanon to the Iraqis, provided that the previous arrears amounting to 2 billion dollars would be addressed through the platform between the two countries to provide the agreed-upon services.
By the end of 2024 and until the formation of the new government, a huge amount has accumulated on Lebanon for the price of fuel shipments. Lebanon has only paid $118 million out of $2 billion. This accumulated amount is the result of three copies of renewed contracts between the two parties.
The fourth version of the contract includes the supply of 2 million tons of crude oil and payment for it in cash.
These renovations were carried out with “provisions” and “sympathy” even though Lebanon was not paying the cost of the shipments. Despite Iraqi facilities, Lebanon was unable to pay the bills.
These facilities stipulated that Lebanon would pay the price of fuel in Lebanese pounds, and that the amounts would be deposited in the Iraqi government’s account at the Bank of Lebanon, and would be spent on services for Iraqis (including hospitalization and medical treatment for Iraqis in Lebanon) in Lebanon exclusively. link
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Tishwash: Central Bank of Iraq signs agreement with Emirates Islamic Bank
The Central Bank of Iraq announced the signing of a banking agreement with Emirates Islamic Bank, which is considered one of the highest-rated Islamic banks, and is rated (A+) according to the international Fitch agency.
Thus, Emirates Islamic Bank is a distinctive addition to the banking relations that the Central Bank of Iraq has established with advanced regional and international banks in recent years.
The agreement includes joint cooperation on several axes, the most important of which are:
Exchange of experiences in the field of developing the Islamic banking sector.
Providing payment services in UAE Dirhams to Iraqi banks and expanding their correspondent accounts network.
Cooperation between Iraqi banks and Emirates Islamic Bank, under the supervision and support of the Central Bank of Iraq, to formulate a mechanism that will allow individual customers of Iraqi banks in the near future to invest (partially) in Islamic bonds issued by Emirates Islamic Bank or other issuers with a similar credit rating in the United Arab Emirates.
It is noteworthy that the Central Bank of Iraq announced in August of last year the start of a new phase of foreign transfer operations in a step aimed at enhancing the diversity of currencies and facilitating international transfer operations. This announcement came after reaching an agreement on the mechanisms for regulating dealings in the euro, the Chinese yuan, the Indian rupee, the UAE dirham, and other global currencies.
Central Bank of Iraq
Media Office
February 27, 2025 link
