Tishwash: It is likely that the 2024 budget schedules will be approved today
The Iraqi government’s delay in approving the budget schedules has raised questions about the existence of a cash crisis in the country, which may soon be reflected in employees’ salaries.
The extent of fears was reinforced by the government’s resort to citizens’ pockets to fill the gap in the fiscal deficit after the recent decision to raise gasoline prices.
Yesterday, Monday, the Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, revealed new details related to the budget lists and schedules for the year 2024, which are still under discussion in the Council of Ministers.
Saleh suggested, during a press statement, that the Council of Ministers, in today’s session on Tuesday, will discuss and approve the budget law schedules, and then send them to the House of Representatives as soon as possible.
The Sudanese advisor explained, “The percentage of the deficit in the budget tables is unknown, and it will be determined according to the tables that will be approved by the Council of Ministers, before sending them to the House of Representatives.”
According to what was stated in Law No. 13 of 2023, the lists and tables of the tripartite general budget law should be submitted to the House of Representatives. link
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Tishwash: Al-Sudani receives a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks
Today, Tuesday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani received a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office said in a statement, “Today, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani received a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks.” link
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Tiswash: Politician: America will not leave Iraq, and diplomacy is breathing its last breath
Political analyst Maher Abdel Joudeh revealed on Monday that there is no American intention to leave Iraq and the Middle East, stressing the necessity of adopting diplomatic solutions.
Judeh said in a statement to the Al-Maalouma Agency, “The Sudanese visit did not contribute to resolving the issue of the Americans’ withdrawal from Iraq, and the hopes of the popular circles were in vain.”
He continued, “The diplomatic solution and economic pressure is the effective action capable of pushing American soldiers outside the borders and eliminating their presence,” stressing that “Iraq does not need the presence of American forces because the Iraqi forces can protect the country from any terrorist threat.”
It is noteworthy that the Iraqi government formed a specialized committee in order to manage the file of the Americans’ exit from Iraq, and it has continued to work according to political controls, but the American efforts to stay may seem stronger this time. link
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CandyKisses: Government move to install gold screening devices at 4 airports
Economy News – Baghdad
The Ministry of Planning clarified, on Tuesday, the mechanism for examining gold in the local markets, and while it indicated that many companies submitted their bids to equip airports with modern equipment, it confirmed that the devices will be in 4 airports.
Ministry spokesman Abdul Zahra al-Hindawi said: “There are procedures regarding the examination of gold at airports that have been implemented during the past months, represented by announcing the request for devices for inspection and the name of gold and non-gold precious jewelry.”
“Many specialized companies have submitted and work is underway to select the appropriate bids, so that referral can be made to the concerned company to equip the centres with sensitive equipment,” he said.
Al-Hindawi added that “the places and offices for the work of the teams of the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control have been identified at the airports of Baghdad, Najaf, Basra and Kirkuk,” stressing that “work will begin as soon as we are equipped with devices for the examination and weight of gold jewelry.”
With regard to the legal procedures followed against those who sell adulterated or manipulated gold, he explained that “the standardization and quality control teams continue to follow up on gold affairs by granting licenses to goldsmiths, as well as following up on gold in goldsmiths’ shops through continuous inspection, as well as following up on licenses granted.”
He continued: “If untagged gold jewelry is seized or unlicensed gold jewellery shops are seized, legal action will be taken against violators in this regard and referred to the courts.”
He pointed out that “the legal procedures against violators are the withdrawal of the license, the closure of the shop and other severe legal procedures, but if the violation is minor, the jeweler may be alerted to that violation and the need to address it within a specific period of time, and in the event that he does not comply with the warning, legal proceedings will proceed against him.”