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Iraq plans to receive 4 million containers annually at Umm Qasr Port.

Umm Qasr Port in Basra is undergoing rapid development as part of a plan to modernize its infrastructure and enhance its operational capabilities, aiming to increase its annual capacity to 4 million containers.

The port is considered one of the most prominent Iraqi ports, playing a vital role in supporting the national economy and connecting Iraq to global markets. This is achieved through development projects that include expanding docks, establishing advanced storage yards, and adopting modern digital technologies that contribute to accelerating handling operations and improving logistical efficiency.

Investment companies

Several investment companies are responsible for operating and developing various parts of the port. These include the Emirati company Gulftainer, which operates several docks and storage yards and provides integrated customs and logistics services. The Chinese investment company Lorain is also responsible for implementing projects to expand the docks designated for rolling goods and develop large backyard storage areas. These companies, in cooperation with Iraqi personnel, are also contributing to the introduction of digital operating systems that increase performance efficiency and reduce waiting and clearance times.

In this regard, Gulftainer’s Regional Director, Ibrahim Sarhan, told Shafaq News Agency, “Operations at the terminal operated by the company have witnessed a significant shift in recent years,” adding that “the approved electronic system creates a storage plan before the ship arrives, reducing waiting times and increasing handling efficiency.”

He added, “The terminal was built on an area of ​​450,000 square meters and includes storage yards, refrigerated warehouses, and customs and security facilities operating around the clock.” He emphasized that “customs clearance takes no more than 48 hours, which expedites the movement of goods, especially for sectors such as oil and gas.”

Earthquake-resistant sidewalks

Meanwhile, Naim Abboud, chief engineer at the Resident Engineer’s Department, told the agency, “Lorain Investment Company is developing docks (22, 23, and 24) designated for rolled goods, which were built using an earthquake-resistant heavy wall method.” He explained that “the area of ​​the backyards is 384,100 square meters, and the completion rate has reached 50%.”

Aboud pointed out that “berths (12, 13, 14 and 15) are close to completion, with a completion rate of 97%, while the storage yard (BTM) is 100% complete, covering an area of ​​400,000 square metres, with a design capacity ranging between 700,000 and 850,000 containers annually.”

For his part, the technical assistant to the port director, Muhammad Tahir Fadhel, told the agency, “Beach (11) extends 375 meters in length, and the area of ​​its container yard is 307,000 square meters, and its operational capacity reaches 636,000 containers annually, and it is managed by Gulftainer.”

He added that “the quays being implemented by Lorain extend 550 meters in length and have a design capacity of 850,000 containers annually,” noting that “the total capacity of the new yards is estimated at 1.2 million containers, with facilities allocated for refrigerated and empty containers and handling various goods.”

Earlier, the General Company for Iraqi Ports revealed to Shafaq News Agency its comprehensive plan for the port, which aims to increase the design capacity to 4 million containers annually, compared to just 1 million containers in 2024. This is part of a strategic vision to transform Iraqi ports into highly competitive regional supply centers.

Shafaq.com

A loophole: The Iraqi dollar is being drained by inflated import invoices from three countries.

The head of the Iraq Future Foundation, Manar al-Obaidi, revealed on Monday that there is an inflated invoice for importing goods to the Iraqi market from countries such as China, Turkey, and the UAE. This is a drain on the dollar by exploiting the difference between the official exchange rate and the parallel market. He emphasized the need to reform the transfer and import mechanisms.

Al-Obaidi said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “When reviewing the export data of a number of countries to Iraq, such as China, Turkey, and the UAE, it becomes clear that there is a clear discrepancy in the values ​​of some exported goods, as these values ​​do not correspond to the actual prices of the goods, and the quantities exported often far exceed the actual needs of the Iraqi market.”

He continued: “For example, the value of Iraq’s imports of Chinese shoes during the first five months of this year amounted to approximately $170 million, while clothing imports amounted to approximately $600 million during the same period.” He explained that “these figures do not reflect either the true volume of demand in Iraq or the global prices of these goods, which strongly suggests that there are inflated invoices, both in terms of quantity and value.”

He pointed out that “some parties exploited the difference in the official exchange rate versus the parallel market to conduct large-scale transfers by inflating import invoices, allowing them to bypass all levels of scrutiny originally put in place to control transfers and ensure they reach the legitimate recipients.”

Al-Obaidi explained that, “Despite the stringent measures taken by the Central Bank of Iraq, including expanded auditing, the current mechanism has proven in practice to be unsuccessful. This is evident not only in countries’ export data, but also in the decline in customs revenues, which remain very modest compared to the volume of goods declared as imported.”

He explained that “it is necessary to adopt a new mechanism aimed at reducing currency leakage by linking bank transfers directly to the customs duty collection process, and not allowing transfers at the official rate until the customs duties due based on the value of the transfer have been paid.”

He emphasized that “this approach will achieve two main goals: strengthening oversight of transfers conducted at the official rate, and increasing the state’s customs revenues by pricing goods in line with their true value.”

He pointed out that “this proposal may raise some reservations, particularly from the perspective of fears of a rise in the exchange rate in the parallel market as a result of tightening transfers, and the view that such measures fall within the purview of fiscal policy, not monetary policy.”

He stated that, “Despite the validity of these reservations, the significant foreign currency outflow and declining reserves Iraq is currently experiencing as a result of uncontrolled import expansion require exceptional measures, even if they have side effects.”

He pointed out that “economic policies, by their very nature, do not produce purely positive effects, but success lies in achieving balance and outweighing the benefits over the harms. Therefore, reforming the transfer and import mechanism is no longer an option, but rather an urgent necessity to ensure economic stability and protect Iraq’s foreign currency reserves.”

Shafaq.com

Iranian President announces Tehran’s readiness to resume nuclear negotiations

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Monday his country’s readiness to resume nuclear negotiations with Washington to “resolve doubts and allegations.” During a phone call with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, Pezeshkian told the French president that Tehran wants guarantees that its nuclear facilities will not be subjected to any new attacks, noting that “Iran’s principled policy is to avoid any war and resolve issues through diplomacy and dialogue.”

Regarding Iran’s decision to halt cooperation with the IAEA, Pezeshkian noted that “the IAEA’s double standards have caused many problems for regional and global security,” he said.

He added that “suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency is a natural reaction to the actions of its director,” noting that he “did not deal fairly with the Iranian nuclear issue,” as he put it.

In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that he had sent messages to his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, during a phone call, emphasizing a return to the negotiating table to address issues related to ballistic missiles and the nuclear program, as well as the resumption of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s work in Iran.

On Friday, Macron warned that the “worst-case scenario” following the “real effectiveness” of the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear program would be Tehran’s withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Burathanews.com

Electronic payment: a step towards enhancing financial confidence and reducing corruption.

In light of rapid technological developments globally, the shift to digital payment systems has become a necessity to enhance the efficiency of financial and government services, especially in countries undergoing transitions like Iraq. Iraq’s experience in adopting these digital methods reflects the challenges and opportunities that accompany modernizing financial infrastructure, and their impact on expanding financial inclusion, combating corruption, and ensuring transparency in financial transactions. Through the insights of specialists and practitioners in the field, it is clear that the experience has gone beyond simply replacing cash with bank cards, serving as an incentive for structural changes in economic and administrative policies. However, there is an urgent need to address the technical and organizational obstacles to ensure the success and sustainability of this transformation.

Government employee Wassan Sami confirmed that her experience with electronic payments was generally positive, although the system seemed strange at first, given people’s longstanding habit of using cash for their daily transactions.

She explained to Al Sabah: “At first, electronic payment seemed like a new and unfamiliar system, even though we have been receiving our salaries via the Qi Card for years. However, the transition to using the card for daily payments has greatly facilitated the procedures and made transactions more organized and smooth.”

She added that one of the most significant benefits she has noticed compared to cash payments is convenience and time savings, noting that “money is not lost, and we don’t have to deal with the hassle of spending coins. The procedures are also much simpler; we no longer need to receive a paper receipt or visit an employee. All we need to do is enter the required number, and the payment is completed via card within seconds, which has reduced the time by almost half.” Winner Mohammed Hassan began using an electronic payment card after joining a company that relies on electronic payroll payment in 2024, stressing that his experience has been very positive and beneficial.

Speaking to Al Sabah, he said, “The most important benefit I’ve noticed is the convenience and ease of transactions, whether withdrawing or transferring money, especially with the introduction of Mastercard payments at gas stations, which facilitates the speedy completion of transactions within the station.”

Despite this positive experience, Mohammed noted that he encountered a problem once when he attempted to top up his account with 100,000 dinars via an ATM. However, the transaction failed, and the funds were withdrawn from his account. He added, “I contacted the company, and the issue was resolved within a few days, and my money was returned to me.”

He continued, “I have continued to use the electronic payment card until now, and it has become a major part of my daily life. I never leave the card behind. I use it to purchase credit, fill up fuel, and shop online easily and quickly.”

Dr. Ahmed Hadhal, a professor of economics at Al-Mustansiriya University, believes that Iraq has witnessed a rapid shift toward electronic payments in recent years. This shift began in earnest after 2016 with the decision to localize state employee salaries, paving the way for the widespread use of bank cards and bank accounts. He added that the Central Bank has reinforced this trend through several regulatory measures, including issuing instructions to activate bank accounts, encouraging citizens to use modern payment tools, and linking foreign transfers to the compliance platform, leading to remarkable quantitative results.

He pointed out that recent statistics show that the number of activated electronic cards exceeds 20 million, and the number of active bank accounts exceeds 15 million, with annual transfers via these cards exceeding $6 billion. The financial inclusion rate also increased from approximately 22% in 2020 to more than 45% in 2024, indicating a relative expansion in the banking transaction base, especially after the mandatory use of these methods for public sector employees.

However, Dr. Hedhal pointed out that this digital expansion did not fully translate into a tangible improvement in the quality of banking services or citizen satisfaction. The experience was accompanied by a number of problems, most notably poor service from electronic payment companies, the weak response of commercial banks to digital transformation requirements, and the imposition of high and unjustified fees for basic banking services. This created a trust gap between citizens and the banking system, and sometimes led to public dissatisfaction with the adoption of electronic mechanisms without a comprehensive infrastructure.

He added that electronic payment has actually contributed to reducing financial corruption in the payroll sector by eliminating the phenomenon of “ghost workers,” enhancing transparency in public spending and expense classification, and enabling regulatory authorities to track many financial transactions that were previously conducted outside the banking system. However, it has not been sufficiently successful in controlling speculation or narrowing the gap between the parallel market rate and the official exchange rate, which has persisted due to some parties exploiting payment cards to speculate on the dollar or smuggle currency.

Regarding digital transformation in other sectors, Dr. Hathal noted a relative improvement in e-commerce transactions and delivery services, along with the adoption of electronic payment mechanisms for fees and collection by some government agencies. However, weak coordination between institutions, the inefficiency of digital infrastructure, and the multiplicity of service providers without effective oversight remain obstacles that limit the acceleration of comprehensive digital transformation.

Dr. Hithal concluded that achieving true success in the electronic payment experience in Iraq requires a strategic shift in financial and banking policies, based on enhancing citizen confidence in the banking system, improving service quality, reducing bank fees, and linking electronic payment methods to providing real incentives, not just obligations. He also emphasized the importance of stimulating stagnant liquidity in society, noting that more than 90% of the currency remains outside the banking system, representing a missed opportunity for the national economy.

He said, “It can be said that the Iraqi experience in electronic payments has achieved significant strides in terms of infrastructure and quantitative expansion, but it still requires profound reforms in banking governance, service quality, and digital policy integration to establish a robust and inclusive digital economy.”

Anti-corruption activist Saeed Yassin explained that the governance of financial procedures and transactions is a fundamental preventative measure in accordance with international standards for combating corruption and transnational crimes. He pointed out that a significant part of this governance relates to simplifying government procedures for paying fees and collections electronically, ensuring that funds enter the public treasury and are not exposed to theft or assault, as was previously the case when cash was transferred or placed at the disposal of employees, a phenomenon witnessed by several institutions in Iraq.

Yassin added to Al Sabah that the other aspect of these measures lies in containing the crime of bribery by simplifying procedures for reviewing public institutions, adopting a system for booking appointments in advance for review, and paying fees via prepaid cards, which limits the collection of undue tax money or the illegal inflating of fees and levies.

He explained that the review process is subject to careful monitoring and statistics through the management of the “Aur” website and related sites, stressing that this experience has yielded tangible progress. He stated that he personally reviewed several government departments affiliated with the Ministry of Interior, such as the Passports Department, the National ID Card Department, the Traffic Department, and the Residence Card Department, all of which are processed through the pre-booking and electronic payment system, which represents a qualitative leap in combating bribery, transaction delays, and influence peddling that were prevalent in these departments.

Yassin pointed out that the new procedures also include a reporting and complaints system in other institutions, in addition to the establishment of the National Emergency Center, numbered 911, which represents a major achievement in improving communication and response mechanisms.

He emphasized that among the most important recommendations for developing this experience is reducing the commission collected by financial companies and banks on prepaid card transactions, and encouraging the public to purchase these cards and use them in daily financial transactions. He also emphasized the importance of continuous public awareness on how to use these cards, maintaining the speed of transactions, and ensuring that collection funds match official funds to protect funds from assault or theft.

Alsabaah.iq

After striking Iran, Trump pulled the United States out of the “Iraq trauma”

The United States has emerged from the Iraq experience and ended the paralysis that accompanied it. This was achieved through its participation in the military strikes on Iran, demonstrating that US President Donald Trump has succeeded in extricating the United States from the trauma of the Iraq War, according to a report by the American website “The Daily Signal.”

The US website explained in its report, translated by Shafaq News Agency, that “by bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, the United States has made the world safer in the long run. However, this reflects Washington’s recalibration of its foreign policy, which expresses Trump’s rejection of both the naivety of the “neoconservatives” and the shortsightedness of the isolationists.”

Despite the dismay of non-interventionists, the report said that Trump has become aware of the serious limitations of diplomacy with Islamists, noting that Tehran was granted decades to reach an agreement, but was more interested in acquiring a nuclear weapon. It added that “Trump also realized that diplomacy without red lines backed by force is useless, as Iran’s leaders, both hardliners and moderates, have for decades ignored their commitments without facing any consequences.”

The report stated that just because the United States was deceived about the extent of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program does not mean that other countries were not seeking to acquire these weapons. It noted that Iran was not hiding its intentions much, and that it is a country that has attacked Americans for 45 years. It pointed in this context to the scenes of American hostages in Iran, the bloody bombing in Beirut, and American soldiers killed or maimed by Iranian-made explosive devices.

He considered that “all of this should have been unacceptable, but the Iranians have made every American president since Bill Clinton a laughingstock regarding the nuclear issue.”

Therefore, the report considered that Trump has now realized that Iran is not Iraq, noting that there are no longer many who argue that our experience of imposing a democratic government on Islamic countries has failed, as neither Afghanistan nor Iraq have developed into anything resembling a free state . As for Iran , it “has never been a new social engineering project.”

According to the report, Trump’s clear goal with Iran is to prevent it from possessing nuclear weapons, adding that “our old ally (Israel) did the bulk of the work, significantly weakening Iran’s military capabilities, and then the United States completed the mission without American losses.”

He pointed out that the failure of nation-building projects by foreign powers has left many Americans pessimistic and panicky, noting the great panic Trump sparked when he declared that while it was politically incorrect to use the term “regime change,” “if the current Iranian regime can’t make Iran great again, why isn’t there a regime change??? Make Iran great again.”

The report ruled out the possibility that Trump meant the United States was considering installing a new government in Iran by force. He was likely trying to intimidate the Iranian regime into accepting a ceasefire, as invading Iran would have required a massive troop buildup and significant movements of military assets. There was no indication of such a plan, and no one had proposed it. Furthermore, there was no popular will to support it.

Although the report noted that the Israelis also spoke of “regime change,” it considered the incitement of panic and anxiety to be part of psychological warfare, as Israel faces an enemy that constantly threatens its existence, and it is only natural that it would attempt to destroy it.

The report continued, saying that it is natural for the United States to desire a less extremist and aggressive government in Iran, adding that “just because the Iraqis rejected our ideas does not mean that these ideas are not worthy of attention, or that we should not help those who genuinely embrace them.” It called for “not standing in the way of the Iranians if they have the means and ability to overthrow an authoritarian regime and establish a less destabilizing government, although that is unlikely.”

But he stressed that “most importantly, Trump understands that a superpower doesn’t act as if it’s afraid when threatened, but that others should be afraid of it.” He added that “it seems that the United States has forgotten its power after the failure of the Iraq War, which convinced an entire generation that even limited conflicts could push us toward a third world war,” noting that the United States “humiliated its enemy and deprived it of the opportunity to possess nuclear weapons.”

However, the US report concluded, “We have no idea how all this will end in the long term, but what we do know is that the United States is no longer paralyzed by the past.”

Shafaq.com

Iraq launches the first phase of a strategic project to exploit gas and prevent its flaring.

Basra Gas Company announced the launch of the first phase of a strategic project in the southern Rumaila field to exploit gas and prevent its flaring .

The Deputy Managing Director of Basra Gas Company, Marfaa Al-Asadi, Director of the Higher Production Authority, said, “This project will exploit gas from the Al-Quraynat Mishrif and Al-Shamiya Mishrif sites,” noting that “the company has completed the installation of an integrated unit at the first site to process sour gas, and it has now entered into operation after it was supposed to enter operation at the end of next July. However, there is an urgent need to expedite the project in cooperation with the field operator and the contractors working there.”

He explained that “the company was able to operate the project early and enter the unit as a first phase, and is currently working on investing 20 million cubic feet,” expecting “the capacity to rise to 40 million cubic feet (one million standard cubic feet) in the coming days.”

Al-Asadi confirmed, “There is coordination between the Basra Gas and Oil companies to link the quantities of gas produced from the Majnoon field to the gas company’s plant in Khor Al-Zubair, via a pipeline passing through northern Rumaila, which enables the investment of 40 cubic meters that were going directly to burning and benefiting from them, and converting liquids into LBG , and dry gas into fuel until the completion of Total’s projects so that the gas can be used again in the company.”

Miliq.news

The Parliamentary Finance Committee calls for submitting “realistic” budget tables that take into account current circumstances.

The Parliamentary Finance Committee called on the government, on Tuesday, to expedite the submission of the general budget tables, stressing the need for them to be “realistic and logical” and reflect the nature of expected revenues, in light of the current economic challenges.

Committee member, Moeen Al-Kadhimi, told Al-Maalouma Agency, “The Prime Minister had previously directed the Ministry of Finance to prepare the budget tables, and the latter submitted its proposals and recommendations to the Council of Ministers.” He pointed out that “the Prime Minister’s Office has not yet issued directives to complete the tables and submit them to Parliament.”

He stressed that “the Finance Committee demands that the budget tables be balanced and not include exaggerations, as happened in the 2023 and 2024 budgets,” adding that “it is important for the government to take into account the reality of revenues and the country’s financial circumstances, and for the budget to be built on realistic foundations that spare the country additional financial burdens.”

It is noteworthy that the 2023-2025 budget was enacted in a three-year format for the first time in Iraq’s history, but the government has not yet submitted its annual schedules, sparking angry parliamentary and popular reactions.

Almaalomah.me

Parliament sounds the alarm: A constitutional collapse is looming.

Parliamentary Legal Committee member Aref al-Hamami warned on Tuesday of an escalating constitutional crisis in the country due to the repeated resignations of Federal Court members, holding influential parties responsible for obstructing the work of the legislative and judicial institutions.

Al-Hammami told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the recent resignations within the Federal Supreme Court portend a dangerous constitutional vacuum that could impact the adjudication of crucial state-related cases,” noting that “influential parties are systematically exerting pressure on the judiciary to achieve political gains at the expense of constitutional stability.”

He added, “Obstructing parliamentary sessions and failing to hold them regularly has enabled these groups to expand their influence and restrict the legislative authority from performing its oversight and legislative role, weakening the democratic system and threatening the independence of national decision-making.”

Al-Hamami stressed that “continuing this path could plunge the country into a severe legal crisis if the Federal Court fails to fulfill its role of monitoring legislation and resolving constitutional challenges.”

Earlier, the head of the House of Representatives’ Legal Committee, Mohammed Anouz, warned of significant pressure exerted by influential political parties to obstruct the approval of the Federal Court Law, noting that these parties are seeking to pressure the court to pass dangerous files, most notably the ceding of the Khor Abdullah port to Kuwait.

Almaalomah.me

Iraq welcomes the ceasefire, stressing that it is a step towards enhancing stability in the region.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed, on Tuesday, the US initiative that led to a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, stressing that it represents a positive development toward de-escalation and enhancing stability in the region.

In a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, the Foreign Ministry affirmed its continued commitment to peaceful and diplomatic solutions to regional crises, ensuring the security and safety of the region’s peoples and preventing the expansion of the conflict.

According to the statement, the ministry also “congratulated the State of Qatar on its diplomatic efforts and mediation endeavors, which contributed to reaching a ceasefire agreement, reflecting its role in supporting regional stability.”

She stressed the “need for full commitment to implementing the ceasefire, given its critical importance in calming the situation and creating a suitable environment for resuming dialogue and negotiations,” expressing her “hope that this step will constitute a genuine beginning toward a radical and sustainable resolution of the existing tensions through peaceful and diplomatic frameworks.”

A ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel entered into force earlier today, pursuant to a declaration by US President Donald Trump, which calls for a comprehensive and complete ceasefire that has been in place for 12 days.

Shafaq.com