Including decisions, Cabinet holds the 30th regular session

INA - BAGHDAD 

Prime Minister Muhammed S. Al-Sudani chaired the 30th Regular Session of the Cabinet, focusing on the sensitive issue of burning the Holy Quran and the Iraqi flag including its repercussions. 

"To tackle this matter effectively, the Prime Minister established a committee consisting of international law professors. Their objective is to draft a bill addressing hatred and countering such actions, which the Republic of Iraq can present to international organizations and forums. This measure is of utmost importance, given Iraq's history with terrorism, hatred, and incitement," according to a statement by the media office of the Prime Minister, received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

During the session, the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized Iraq's vital role in countering hate speech and the ramifications of the Holy Quran burning incident. Furthermore, the Cabinet reviewed the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The session covered discussions on the overall situation in the country, with a focus on expediting the implementation of government program priorities. Additionally, they addressed the topics listed on the agenda, issuing several decisions and recommendations.

The Cabinet approved the bill of official holidays, which will now be forwarded to the Parliament. This decision was made in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution:
1.    Canceling the directive issued by the former Cabinet during its 20th regular session on March 14, 2017, concerning the bill of official holidays.

2.    Canceling Cabinet Resolution (11 of 2018) related to the amendment of the bill of official holidays

Regarding the provision of ration card items and payment of farmers' dues for the 2023 season (wheat and barley crops), the Ministry of Finance "has allocated one trillion dinars to purchase ration card items and an additional 1.79 trillion dinars to pay farmers' dues, as mandated by Article 60 of the Federal Budget Law 13 of 2023."

In the energy sector, the Energy Ministerial Council (23057) has approved the recommendation for the year 2023. This approval entails the write-off of tax deposits owed by the Ministry of Electricity concerning the contract with the South Korean (STX) company.

-    The federal government has decided to waive its right to deduct tax deposits owed by the Ministry of Electricity, specifically related to Contract No. (40), totaling $14,344,675.8. This decision is made in favor of the ministry, in accordance with the amended Federal Financial Management Law No. (6) of 2019. The amount will be provided from the budget allocations for the maintenance of electrical stations in the Ministry of Electricity for the year 2023, which are allocated to Siemens and General Electric companies. The General Commission for Taxes will be the recipient of this payment.

The Cabinet has further approved the Ministerial Council for Energy's (23058) recommendation for the year 2023 concerning solar energy projects. This approval entails amending the second paragraph of Cabinet Resolution (312 for the year 2021), which previously approved the Ministerial Council for Energy's (100 for the year 2021) recommendation regarding the renewable energy report. 

Ministries, government agencies not associated with a ministry, and local governments are now required to streamline the procedures for allocating lands needed for renewable energy projects under the amended Expropriation Law (12 of 1981). This aims to ensure that the lease contract for the energy station is established directly with the Ministry of Electricity rather than the land-owning agency. However, the rent amounts collected from the Ministry of Electricity will be transferred to the agency that owns the land, as specified in the letter from the Ministry of Electricity.

The Cabinet has authorized the Minister of Finance, or her authorized representative, to sign various documents related to the Basra Refinery Development Project - specifically, the fifth loan for the FCC Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit. This authorization includes the signing of the loan agreement, exchanged letters, written notes, minutes of discussions, and financing terms. The authority is granted following the provisions of the federal budget law for the three fiscal years.

During the session, several topics were discussed, and decisions were made regarding them:
Firstly/ The Cabinet approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Council of Economy (230114) to cancel Iraq's commitment agreement with COVAX concerning the remaining COVID-19 pandemic vaccines. The cancellation of the agreement will be made by paying fees to terminate the agreement with the manufacturers (GAVI). The decision was made based on the request of the Ministry of Health, as it holds the technical authority in this matter, following an examination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs procedures related to the issue.

Secondly/ The Cabinet approved implementing a memorandum of understanding between the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing the government of the Republic of Iraq, and the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The memorandum of understanding pertains to exempting holders of diplomatic and official passports from entry visa requirements.

"The memorandum was signed in Baghdad on June 5, 2023, in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet (245 of 2022). The memorandum will be amended to include what was stated in the aforementioned Cabinet decision, which stipulates that citizens of both countries, holding valid diplomatic, service, and special passports, are exempt from obtaining entry and exit visas or transiting through each other's territory. Additionally, they are allowed to reside in the territory for a duration of up to 30 days from the date of their entry," included the statement.

Thirdly/ The Cabinet approved the bill for the first amendment to the Civil Defense Law (Law No. 44 of 2013). The bill had been reviewed and audited by the State Council before being forwarded to the Parliament for further consideration and approval following the constitutional procedures.

Fourthly/ A legislative resolution (767) of 1987 has been amended. The amendment aims to broaden the scope of the decision, which previously granted customs and tax exemptions to foreign owners of development projects within Iraq. The revised decision now includes Iraqi owners of development projects as well. To determine the specific development projects covered by this decision, the advisor to the Prime Minister for Economic Affairs will collaborate with the Ministry of Planning to propose a list of such projects. Additionally, the head of the legal department in the General Secretariat of the Cabinet and the Director General of the General Commission for Taxes will be involved in the process of identifying the projects eligible for the mentioned exemptions.