INA - BAGHDAD
PM Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi visited the Ministry of Finance on Saturday as part of his follow-up on the work of ministries and their executive, service, and economic programs, directing to make an integrated vision.
Al-Zaidi chaired a meeting with the Ministry’s senior staff and listened to reports concerning the work of all its departments and sectors, affirming that “Iraq is experiencing a sensitive financial and economic situation imposed by regional and international developments and their repercussions on the global economy,” according to a statement from the PM Media Office, received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
He noted that these changes have affected Iraq’s export capacity and oil revenues, explaining that 90% of the budget depends on oil revenues and that efforts must be made to expand the non-oil economy and adopt alternatives that support diversification.
“Being transparent with citizens regarding financial challenges without exaggeration or understatement is very necessary,” he underscored.
The Prime Minister highlighted a few keypoints as follows:
We want the Ministry of Finance to shape Iraq’s financial policy as we prepare Iraq’s 2035 Plan.
The ministry must have a clear vision, and the budget should serve as a roadmap for the future.
The budget must maximize its revenues, and reliance solely on oil can no longer continue.
Iraq is a meeting point for the world, and we must invest in its geographic location to enhance revenues.
Employee salaries must be paid on time so as not to create concern among the public, and the same applies to salaries under the Social Protection Network.
We directed the preparation of payments for farmers’ entitlements and the dues of contractors and investors, and their rights should not be delayed to ensure continuity of work.
There is a prevailing notion that the state manages the economy, but we want the economy to drive the state. If concepts change, we will not need to change people.
The state is not merely about budgets and allocations, but rather seeks to achieve a high level of domestic production.
There are governing and operational expenditures that do not positively contribute to development; we seek to change traditional financial concepts.
We do not want to replicate past experiences. The role of the state is regulation and oversight, and we support the private sector because it will drive development.
Our duty is to support vulnerable groups, but economic policy should not continue to operate with a purely socialist mindset.
We directed the preparation of a report on customs revenues during the past six months, particularly regarding high-tariff goods.
We have observed that high-tariff goods are being replaced through manipulative methods with lower-cost items, and automation will put an end to this manipulation.
We have 5,000 doctors contracted with the Ministry of Health, and we have directed that their situations be addressed.
We have issued instructions prohibiting the display of pictures of the Prime Minister and ministers in government offices and institutions. We want people to see our work, not our pictures.
