Remarks by Prime Minister Mr. Mohammed S. Al-Sudani at the final signing ceremony of the fifth licensing round

Baghdad-INA  
  We congratulate you on the final signing of the contracts for the long-awaited fifth round that stalled for five years, costing Iraq millions of dollars and causing harmful environmental damage.
 
  The decision of the Council of Ministers this year was based on the recommendation of the Ministerial Energy Council and to demonstrate what was included in the government program to assign a section for the investment of associated gas according to our vision of economic reform.
 
  Reform in the oil sector is the optimal investment of oil wealth, and Iraq's entry into the global gas market is a decision we have planned and will be implemented.
 
  It is unacceptable to continue the mismanagement of burning gas, which wastes wealth and affects the environment.
 
  One of the main reasons for the electricity problem is the lack of fuel.
 
  We import gas at the cost of up to 10 trillion dinars annually; Iraq imports oil derivatives, although it is a producer and exporter of oil.
 
  We will sign contracts for the construction and investment of oil refineries.
 
  We will reach self-sufficiency in gas within three years to cover all our market demands.
 
  All our official foreign visits and meetings emphasized the investment of associated gas.
 
  We are waiting for the Ministry of Oil to prepare the remaining fifth-round contacts and the sixth round to invest all blocks and fields of associated gas and natural gas.
 
  Our directives to the Ministry of Oil are to work with confidence and adhere to the decisions and not listen to skeptical voices that impede the progress of the investment of this wealth, and the government supports you in making the proper decisions.
 
  We all hope that our brothers in the Parliamentary Energy Committee will support the Ministry of Oil and make its plans successful in implementing these important projects.
 
  We are in a transitional phase by shifting from total dependence on oil revenues to diversifying sources of national income.
 
  This phase depends on the activity of the Ministry of Oil in implementing its projects and providing the government with financial revenues to advance the economic sectors.
 
  We reaffirm the government's commitment to the winning companies in securing and providing all work requirements and conditions in all security, administrative, and legal sectors.
 
  We will conclude project contracts and announce important projects in public services, housing, development, and industry sectors.
 
 There are technical, administrative, and legal teams working day and night to accomplish the requirements of these projects, which will be an essential factor in implementing our government program and achieving economic reform.