Working on economy radical reform: Iraq PM
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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani says that his government will not hesitate to proceed with its program to bring about a quantum leap and to effectively deal with crises.
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Iraqis walk through the book market in Mutanabi Street in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, May. 18, 2022 (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Iraqi PM Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani affirmed on Saturday the fight against corruption with no limits, indicating that the government is working on a radical reform of the economy.
During the 42nd anniversary of the founding of the Badr Organization, Al-Sudani said that he would not hesitate to proceed with his government's program in order to provide a quantum leap and persistently address crises.
He added that the government was able, utilising available tools, mechanisms, and finances to improve services, reignite projects that have stagnated for years, apply measures to combat corruption, and strengthen foreign relations on the basis of Iraq's interests, partnerships, and mutual respect.
"We made an effort to provide job opportunities for the underprivileged population in Iraq and give them the right to live in a country worthy of their history," stressing adherence to the firm belief in the Iraqi people's right to a decent life and a government that improves the quality of what it offers to people.
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In this context, Al-Sudani praised the Badr Organization's role, saying that it had emerged as an umbrella that called out the "ugliness of fascism."
Since the fall of President Saddam Hussein's regime, the Iraqi Prime Minister said that "Badr's men have participated in establishing the political process and have contributed to a democratic and constitutional Iraq."
Al-Sudani confirmed in March that the government had drawn up an ambitious program for the advancement of Iraq, pointing to the need not to tolerate any imbalance that might cause the people's money to be exploited, pointing out that battling the pandemic's corruption is a major battle.
Iraq is suffering from chronic corruption that undermines public administration and the entire economy. That said, the local currency has lost more than 10% of its value, which led to a wave of sporadic demonstrations, protesting the decline in citizens' purchasing power.
The Iraqi prime minister has previously warned that millions of dollars are smuggled out of the country on a daily basis with forged bills, explaining that the matter was discovered after everyone was obligated to make transfers through the electronic “Swift” platform that allows the US Central Bank to monitor.
Solving oil problems
Al-Sudani affirmed that his country has made great and important strides in resolving oil and gas problems, along with related constitutional decisions and mechanisms of action.
A few days ago, the Iraqi Prime Minister announced the agreement to resume exporting Kurdish oil, during a joint press conference with the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani.
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Al-Sudani stressed that everyone will benefit from the resumption of exporting oil from the Kurdistan region.
A few days ago, a spokesman for the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government said that the Iraqi federal government and the region had reached a preliminary agreement in this regard, which will remain in effect until the Iraqi parliament ratifies the oil and gas draft law.
Trade sources told Reuters on Thursday that the suspension of oil exports from Iraqi Kurdistan has halted the payment of $6 billion in oil shipments owed by the semi-autonomous Iraqi region to energy companies including Vitol and Petraco.
After Iraq won an arbitration case, accusing Turkey of violating an agreement by allowing Iraqi Kurds of exporting oil without Baghdad's approval, around 450,000 barrels of oil were suspended last Saturday.
