Thread: Archive - Latest News Think Tank - 15/01/09 - 04/05/09

Arab Monetary Fund to organize the Iraqi officials on economic policy

Opened the morning session in Abu Dhabi, "the programming of financial and macroeconomic policies" for Iraqi officials, and organized by the Economic Policy Institute in the Fund and the Institute for International Monetary Fund, in the framework of the Joint Regional Training Program for 2009.

Course aims to continue for 12 days and involving 29 participants, to deepen the understanding of the participants in the design of financial policies and the college and its implementation in light of the experience of the International Monetary Fund to monitor economic performance and the design of financial programs.

The Director-General, Chairman of the Board, Jassem Al, in a speech at the opening session, was delivered by the Director of the Economic Policy Institute Saud Albraikan that the theme of this session, the fifth for the Iraqi cadres of the utmost importance to deepen the understanding of macroeconomic management. It aims to familiarize participants with the stabilization policies and structural reform in practice, within the framework of the preparation of an integrated program of financial and policy analysis of the effects of these selected balances internal and external growth objectives, operation and stability.

He said that the session will be based on several axes, the President, including the fundamental characteristics of the various accounts used in macroeconomic analysis, "the national income and balance of payments and the expense of public finances and the cash account," The interrelationship between these accounts and forecasting methods for each sector and diagnosis of macroeconomic performance and analysis of the effects of macroeconomic and structural policy key variables such as GDP, prices, balance of payments and the preparation of a program of macroeconomic policies. "

He added that the session is to prepare a financial program, aimed at strengthening economic stability, and the intensification of structural reform on the economy, together with the study of macroeconomic policies, including fiscal, monetary, trade and exchange rate.

He pointed out that the economic stability on the improvement of the macroeconomic balance, both domestic and external, that "the balance of supply and demand in the economy", and balance the government budget and balance of the external sector. He emphasized that the correction on the structural changes in the economy, would raise the efficiency of resource allocation, increased efficiency and productivity for the purpose of increasing economic growth and prosperity.

He said that he would focus on the integration between the policies of macroeconomic stabilization and structural reforms and the importance of policy coordination for growth, adding that the course is rich in concepts, themes and practical applications, and is closely linked to the work of the Fund and its activities in the area of lending to the Member States, supported the programs stability and correction structural.

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Issawi, discuss with the U.S. ambassador to the Convention on Economic Sofa

Deputy Prime Minister Rafie al-Issawi with the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, Mark economic mechanisms of the implementation of the Wall strategic framework agreement signed between Baghdad and Washington.

A statement issued by the Office of Radio-Issawi has received a copy of the Tigris-Issawi that he met with the Wall and the accompanying delegation and discussed with him ways to activate the provisions of the Convention within the Framework Convention on withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq (Sofa).

Issawi, said at the meeting said the agreement signed last month, represents an important step and significant benefit to the peoples of the United States and Iraq, through increased economic growth and expansion of trade and investment.

For his part, the ambassador noted that the Wall significant security improvement has created conditions more suitable for American companies and other companies and that there is a special interest in file services and the sectors of oil and gas.

Wall said that with the continuation of the security situation in this way will increase investment in Iraq in various fields.

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Decline in violence in Iraq to its lowest level since 2003

Decreased the violence in Iraq to its lowest level since March 2003, in the latest toll released by the Iraqi ministries.

The outcome by the ministries of health and defense Aerakitan killed 191 Iraqis in the last month included 140 civilians, 51 people from the security forces and police, 300 civilians were killed and 100 wounded, a security element during the same period.

Sources from the Ministry of Health and the Defense of Iraqi forces and coalition forces were able during the first month of this year, killing 29 insurgents and arrested 482 others.

The sources added that a total of 316 Iraqis were killed by violence during the last December was the lowest toll during 2008.

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Trade calls for the receipt of new ration cards

the Ministry of Commerce, Monday, the citizens to receive ration cards for the new centers in all provinces within 30 days, warning that delays in receipt of means back to the center of the circle in Baghdad and bear the burdens of double.

A statement of the ministry and the agency received (Voices of Iraq) a copy of the Director of the Department of Planning and Supply call "citizens to receive their new stations in their areas of delivery, after the submission of the official archives of the supports required by the ministry since the early new year."

He added that any delay in the review and "within the specified period (thirty days) will carry the additional burdens which the citizen is the withdrawal of the cards to the center of the circle in Baghdad and calling for all national archives and announced by the ministry of all members of the family."

He pointed out that the "supply centers announced since the beginning of the recognition to start the new year, having been able to print well in advance of last year, for the purpose of exploitation in the informal review and address the problems that have occurred in previous years", and that there were "various committees working on the extradition of a citizen in the period and without the trouble or fee. "

Hashimi revealed that his "find the names of fictitious checks, after many continuing in all provinces of the country," and warned those who bear their names and fictitious, "and referred to the juvenile in the absence of reporting during the thirty days."

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A significant decline in the auction sales of the Central

the U.S. dollar decreased sales of the Central Bank in an auction for the sale and purchase of foreign currencies, on Monday, more than 60% from the previous meeting, to reach 47 million and 925 thousand dollars, and a stable exchange rate was 1170 dinars per dollar.

The bulletin issued by the Central Bank and the Agency has received (Voices of Iraq) a copy of which was that "the total volume of demand for the dollar stood at 47 million and 925 thousand dollars, a stable exchange rate was 1170 dinars per dollar."

The figure is significantly lower than the previous meeting, which recorded a total volume of demand for the dollar stood at 120 million and 220 thousand dollars at the exchange rate was 1170 dinars per dollar.

The Bulletin that "the demand for the dollar is distributed by 27 million and 925 thousand dollars in cash, covered by the bank at the exchange rate was 1176 dinars per dollar, including the central bank and a commission of six dinars per dollar."

According to the bulletin, "the value of remittances outside the country reached 20 million dollars, covered the central exchange rate was 1173 dinars, including the central bank and a commission of three dinars per dollar," did not make any of the 14 banks participating in the auction, offers to sell the dollar.

The central bank held five meetings a week for the sale and purchase of foreign currencies.

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$25 billion Surplus staves off financial crisis – Iraqi Minister

Azzaman, February 2, 2009

The hard cash the Finance Ministry had stashed away when oil prices were high has protected Iraq from the financial crisis that has shaken the world, Fianance Minister Baqer al-Zubaidi said.

According to the minister, the government has built up a surplus of $25 billion from oil sales.

The surplus was possible due to high oil prices on international markets and it will be used to sustain the government’s economic policies as prices have plummeted recently.

The government has slashed its estimate for 2009 oil revenues but the decline, the minister said, could be compensated.

The minister made the remarks as he spoke at an international monetary conference in Baghdad held to lure foreign banks to open branches in the country.

Zubaidi said his ministry was prepared to boost volume of credits to the private sector to $4 billion from $2 billion under Central Bank supervision.

The Central Bank Governor Sinan al-Shabibi said he has asked numerous foreign banks to start up businesses in Iraq on their own or in cooperation with local banks.

International banks have declined such calls in the past, citing security reasons.

But officials hope that the relative security Iraq now enjoys and the fact that the latest elections have proceeded without violence would lure foreigner investors to the country.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index...02-02\kurd.htm

Iraq elections leaks say Al Maliki ahead

When Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki decided to leave the ruling Shiite Coalition headed by Sayyed Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, all expectations about Iraq provincial elections which were a test to of power in the country, said that elections would constitute a fierce fight mainly in provinces where resides the influence of the Supreme Council along with powers of Prime Minister Al Maliki.

What would be the outcome of provincial elections? Will the rules clutter in the South and Center? And will Iraq’s political map alter?

In this context, Islamic Supreme Council is confident about the map of alliances even if they differ from 2005 elections, yet, Shiite partitions will remain the same in all nine provinces.

Though official preliminary results won’t be declared before days to come, some leaks have hinted that elections results will not only change the political structure, but it seems that candidates of State of Law Coalition led by Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki are stepping ahead which might convert the political game.

These simple expectations were affirmed by competitive Shiite party leaders who admitted that the State of Law Coalition is greatly stepping ahead in Shiite regions.

Head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Basra, Furat Al Shiraa, said preliminary information point out that Al Maliki’s list is ahead in Basra (50%) while the Supreme Council list has rallied 20% of votes. A senior official in Al Sadr Front speaking on condition of anonymity acknowledged the great victory of Al Maliki in Al Sadr City and in the South.

An Independent Higher Electoral Commission source in Basra affirmed that State of Law Coalition is ahead in the first tally of Basra and Sadr cities. Moreover, Al Sadr Front might lose in Missan Province in favor of Al Maliki.

Governmental sources went far in its expectations saying that State of Law Coalition has apparently won in all nine southern provinces in addition to eastern Baghdad driven by a Shiite majority while other lists are competing on the second and third positions.

If Al Maliki marks victory, elections results will have considerable consequences on different levels.

First, it would result of a major defeat to religious parties taking hold of Shiite provinces and overlooking the power of the central government.
Second, Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki will enjoy a significant boost in preserving power in parliamentary elections, after he was crowned man of the year 2008 due to the success of Iraq military operations in different provinces and the achievement of US Status of Forces Agreement.

Third, Al Maliki’s victory would center aspirations on self rule since Al Maliki approves a strong central state while the Islamic Supreme Council and other Shiite parties seek expanded self rule in the South which holds in 80% of Iraq’s oil production.

http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News...iki-ahead.html

KRG statement on Provincial Elections

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) conveys its strong support for the provincial election process currently underway in 14 governorates across the Federal Republic of Iraq. The KRG has always been a steadfast proponent of democracy and the Iraqi Constitutional process, and welcomes the expression of political views through the elections.

Although there are no elections scheduled in the three KRG governorates and Kirkuk, the KRG supports all citizens who are voting today and is facilitating the voting process for those displaced individuals currently residing within the Region but casting absentee ballots for their original districts. In Sulaimaniya, Erbil, and Duhok there are 15, 23, and 33 voting centers, respectively.

As we watch some political candidates peacefully replace others in office, the KRG hopes that the spirit of fairness and democratic representation will be a precedent for future elections.

Unfortunately, the KRG notes its great concern that thousands of Kurds in Ninawa, Makhmour and Khanaqeen were unable to exercise their right to vote due to a logistical mix-up by the Independent Electoral Commission.

The KRG looks forward to working with elected provincial leaders, as we have in the past. We consider this election to be a positive sign for Iraq as it continues on a path towards peaceful coexistence and federal democracy.

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...=9089&Itemid=1

Adnan Mufti: Constitution is the basis of dealing with all issues in Iraq

Speaker of the Kurdistan National Assembly (KNA) Adnan Mufti met with a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI) today in Erbil.
Mufti indicated that parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan region are expected to be held on May 15th.

Mufti indicated that this issue would be discussed with the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, saying “The Kurdistan region election law, issued in 1992, would be mended. We are making preparations for the elections through raising the ratio of women in the parliament and reducing the required age of a lawmaker from 30 years to 25 years.”

Mufti briefed the delegation about the latest developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan region as well as those laws which were ratified by the KNA, describing these laws as landmarks toward reinforcing democracy and progress in the Kurdistan region.

Another part of the meeting was dedicated to the issue of the disputed areas between Baghdad and Erbil, Kirkuk in particular.“Constitution is the basis of dealing with all the issues in Iraq. The Iraqi constitution made measures to deal with Kirkuk issue through article 140, therefore, we stress on dialogue based on the Iraqi constitution to deal with this issue." Mufti said.

On their part, the delegation expressed their readiness to cooperate with the KNA in those aspects which their organization has expertise.

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...=9101&Itemid=1

Iraq extends deadline to join the oil companies to a solicitation

Terms of the extent of Iraq two weeks, until the date of February 15, the deadline for the registration of international oil companies in the second round of bidding, which was announced in 31 December, which aims to modernize some of the largest oil and gas fields in the country, according to a spokesman on behalf of an oil ministry on Monday.

A spokesman for the agency, "Dow Jones News" by telephone from Baghdad: "We have decided to postpone the deadline date of February 1 to the previously announced date of February 15 to allow time for companies to register their names," the spokesman said by telephone from Baghdad, told " Dow Jones News. "

He said that the deadline was postponed several days because of last week was the holidays because of the general elections that took place in the country, which led to a lack of sufficient time for companies to register their names.

Iraq opened the door to competition for international companies on 31 December to win the contracts to the total development of 16 oil and gas fields are classified according to the eleven categories.

The spokesman noted that a number of companies registered for the second round of bidding through the provision of documents to qualify for the "department of petroleum contracts and licensing" of the Ministry.

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