Tishwash: Iraqi Embassy in Washington: Iraq is not affiliated with any country.
The Iraqi Embassy in Washington affirmed that Iraq enjoys full sovereignty and has the right to conclude agreements and memoranda of understanding in accordance with the provisions of its constitution and national laws, and in a manner consistent with its supreme interests.
The embassy explained, in a statement issued in response to the remarks of the US State Department spokesperson, that Baghdad maintains friendly and cooperative relations with many countries around the world, including the United States and neighboring countries, and is keen to build these relations on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.
She stressed that Iraq “is not subservient to the policies of any country,” and that its decisions stem from its independent national will.
In this context, the embassy noted that the security agreement recently signed with Iran is part of bilateral cooperation to maintain security and control the shared border, contributing to the stability of both countries and the security of the region. link
Tishwash: The Central Bank of Iraq: Infrastructure, legislation, and community awareness to promote electronic payments.
Central Bank Governor Ali Al-Alaq announced on Saturday the issuance of instructions and regulations to regulate electronic payments across three aspects.
While revealing a mechanism for developing the electronic payment process, he also affirmed that all state institutions are required to use electronic payments, not cash.
Al-Alaq said in a statement to the official agency, followed by ( IQ ): “Electronic payment is witnessing significant development, and it is a gateway to the digital transformation towards a digital economy for a larger issue related to the economic structure and global interaction, to achieve greater financial inclusion, and all of these aspects have become fixed and advanced strategies.”
He pointed out that “the Central Bank, along with the government, the private sector, electronic payment companies, and technology companies, are all engaged in this massive and ongoing effort. We have regulatory and legislative technical initiatives and directions being worked on in coordination between the Central Bank of Iraq and the Iraqi government.”
He added, “There is cooperation and coordination with the government through the decision issued by the Council of Ministers requiring all state institutions to use electronic payments instead of cash.
There is also the localization of salaries, which amounts to millions, in addition to public awareness being conducted through electronic payment companies and civil society organizations. There is growing community awareness.”
He explained that “progress in electronic payments requires infrastructure, a legislative framework, and community awareness. These are three aspects that are being worked on diligently.
Much of the infrastructure at the Central Bank level has been completed in an advanced manner, fully in line with international practices and legislative frameworks. We have issued numerous instructions and regulations that regulate the process, but we need more in the third aspect, which is community and cultural awareness.” link
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Tishwash: Oil Minister: Signing a contract with the American company Schlumberger to increase production from the Akkas field to 100 million cubic feet per day.
Today, Thursday (August 28, 2025), Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, Eng. Hayan Abdul-Ghani Al-Sawad, chaired the eighth session of the Opinion Board at the Ministry’s headquarters, with the participation of undersecretaries, advisors, and general managers.
During the meeting, the Minister said that the Ministry has achieved self-sufficiency in gas oil and kerosene, and is continuing work on completing the FCC projects in Basra and improving naphtha in Kirkuk, with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in gasoline during the current year.
He pointed to the opening of the grease refinery at the Northern Refineries Company, which will meet approximately 70% of the country’s needs, directing refinery companies to develop these projects to achieve full self-sufficiency.
Abdulghani also announced the signing of a contract with Schlumberger to increase production rates in the Akkas field to 100 million standard cubic feet per day, in addition to signing an agreement in principle with the American company Chevron to develop four exploration blocks in the Dhi Qar oil field and the Balad oil field.
The session discussed a number of topics on the agenda, and made decisions and recommendations aimed at developing the oil sector and enhancing cooperation with specialized international companies link
