TNT – “Tidbits From TNT” Thursday Morning 5-29-2025

Tishwash:  American company Starlink confirms its readiness to operate in Iraq: We will contribute to the digital transformation.

American company SpaceX “Starlink” confirmed on Wednesday its readiness to operate in Iraq and contribute to the digital transformation and its applications for public and private sector institutions.

The Prime Minister’s Office stated in a statement received by ( IQ ), “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani received, today, Wednesday, a delegation from SpaceX (Starlink), an American company specializing in network, information and communications technology. During the meeting, aspects of cooperation in the field of communications and services provided by the company, and its coverage areas, were reviewed.”

During the meeting, Al-Sudani emphasized that “Iraq today boasts many promising investment opportunities, given the rapid growth and urban and service expansion it is witnessing,” noting “the importance of the strategic relationship with the United States within the framework agreement and other bilateral memoranda of understanding, which extend to various economic, scientific, and developmental fields.”

Al-Sudani directed the relevant authorities to “study ways to facilitate SpaceX (Starlink)’s work and expedite the necessary measures,” expressing his welcome for major technology companies, particularly American ones, to operate in Iraq and the possibility of their cooperation with the Iraqi private sector, within the government’s vision for digital transformation measures.

For its part, the company’s delegation affirmed its readiness to operate in Iraq, provide services, and cooperate in the Iraqi market. It explained that Starlink’s services will contribute to digital transformation and its applications for public and private sector institutions, develop communications, and achieve economic prosperity within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Iraq and the United States   link

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Tishwash:  Will international agencies raise Iraq’s credit rating soon?

 British report points to Baghdad’s financial and administrative reforms as possible reasons for the expected move.

The report indicates a significant improvement in the level of financial transparency through the issuance of annual public reports on public revenues and expenditures,

Iraq is moving toward a new economic phase aimed at improving its credit rating with international institutions through a series of financial and administrative reforms and a significant increase in foreign direct investment.

A new report issued by the London-based Global Center for Development Studies finds that the Iraqi government , led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, succeeded in attracting foreign investment exceeding $87 billion in 2024, with expectations of this amount rising to between $120 and $150 billion by 2029, in vital sectors including energy, petrochemicals, agriculture, and religious tourism.

Reforms to boost international confidence

The British report identified clear trends in Iraqi economic policy aimed at diversifying sources of income away from oil, strengthening financial governance, combating corruption, and increasing the independence of the Central Bank and improving monetary policy management. This has been reflected in declining inflation rates and a stable dinar exchange rate.

Iraq faces significant economic challenges due to fluctuating oil prices, rising spending, a worsening fiscal deficit, and exchange rate instability.

he report points to significant improvements in financial transparency through the issuance of public annual reports on public revenues and expenditures, and the updating of more than 200 laws over two years, enhancing the business climate and limiting the penetration of corruption networks into the state’s institutions.

Cooperation with international institutions

According to the report, Iraq is in the process of signing consulting agreements with two international companies. One will provide technical support to the Commercial Bank of Iraq in compliance with international financial standards, while the other will manage a public relations campaign aimed at improving Iraq’s economic image and enhancing its chances of obtaining a better credit rating from international rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.

The report indicated that Iraq’s agricultural sector recorded a growth of approximately 15 percent in wheat production over the past three years, while the petrochemical sector achieved a rise of approximately 10 percent in 2023. Religious tourism, meanwhile, recorded a significant increase in exports, with the number of foreign visitors exceeding 20 percent, making it a promising sector for diversifying national income sources.

Although Iraq’s rating remains at a low level of B- by Standard & Poor’s and Fitch, and Caa1 by Moody’s, its high foreign exchange reserves, ongoing reforms, and improved transparency indicators are all positive factors that could contribute to a rating upgrade in the near future, according to the report. link

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Tishwash:  Al-Sudani: Iraq has returned to leading the Arab world, and we held meetings between Iran and three Arab countries.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said that his government held dialogue sessions between Iran and three Arab countries, stressing that the new Iraq will not accept being subservient to anyone.

In an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram, followed by Mail, Al-Sudani said, “We preferred to be a bridge for dialogue, not an arena for settling scores.” He explained, “We held meetings between Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, Tehran, Egypt, and Iran.”

He added, “We remember Iran for standing with us in the 2014 war against ISIS,” noting that “what distinguishes Iraqis is their pride in their country, self-respect, and dignity, which do not allow them to be a prisoner or subservient to anyone.”

He continued, “We only want Syria to implement the agreements, maintain a unified and stable Syria, and confront terrorism.” He emphasized, “We have closed the gaps through which Iraq’s enemies were infiltrating, and we have succeeded in achieving accomplishments on the ground that have restored confidence to the citizen.”

He pointed out that “corruption was widespread, and efforts are being made to achieve progress, and citizens feel confident,” explaining that “the government’s performance has sparked interest among young people and new generations in the importance of participating in the elections.”

He continued, “We not only completed the infrastructure, and our efforts were not limited to construction and reconstruction alone, but we also built an information infrastructure,” noting that “Iraq has resumed its role in leading the Arab world.”

He stated that “the new Iraq does not accept being subservient to anyone,” stressing that “Iraq is strong and stable  link