The Cabinet approves several recommendations and issues a number of decisions

INA - BAGHDAD 

Prime Minister, Muhammed S. Al-Sudani, chaired the 35th Regular Session of the Cabinet today. During the session, the Cabinet discussed the country's general situation, the most prominent issues, and the items on the agenda and issued several decisions.

During the session, the Prime Minister reviewed the framework for the National Data Center's role in the strategic e-governance project. Priority in digital transformation will be given to departments directly serving the citizens, according to a statement by the Media Office of the Prime Minister, received by the Iraqi New Agency - INA.

The Prime Minister also directed ministers to set a specific day for citizens interactions and complaint resolution. Efforts to combat corruption were emphasized as a key performance criterion.
Ministries were instructed to adhere to Law (28) of 2019 abolishing officials' privileges.

The Cabinet announced Wednesday and Thursday of next week, September 6 and 7, as days off in observance of the Arba'een Pilgrimage commemoration. The regular session of the Cabinet will be held on the following Sunday.

The Prime Minister directed ministries to mobilize maximum efforts for successful Arba'een Pilgrimage, assigning specialized committees. Continuing support for Iraq's diverse community, the Cabinet amended the first paragraph of Resolution (364 of 2022) to include ethnicities and communities beyond Yazidis in the specified compounds.

Additionally, the Cabinet authorized changes to regulations governing the sale of land and homes to Yazidi residents, as outlined in Cabinet Resolution (23193 of 2023), in order to ensure compliance with the aforementioned paragraph (1).

Recommendations from Baghdad Municipality (Mayoralty Of Baghdad) for a waste treatment and energy production project were approved:

1. Resolution of land allocation issue for plot (43626/1/3) Al-Nahrawan, derived from original plot (42785/1/3) Al-Nahrawan, covering an area of (1000) dunums. This is aligned with the Ministry of Electricity's guidelines.

2. The Cabinet granted allocation of (1000) dunums, comprising (900) dunums for Baghdad Municipality's use and (100) dunums for the Ministry of Electricity. This allocation pertains to a plot in Abu Ghraib district, beyond the city of Baghdad's master design boundaries.

3. Baghdad Municipality, collaborating with the Ministry of Electricity and the National Investment Commission, will invite investment proposals to identify suitable technology. This will be contingent on the Ministry of Finance allocating lands for the project's execution.

To bolster defense systems, ensure airspace security, attain nationwide air sovereignty, and assist our armed forces in their designated sectors, the Cabinet endorsed a Ministry of Defense contract with the French firm Thales for radar procurement. This decision is exempt from the contracting guidelines outlined in Article (3) of the Government Contracts Implementation Instructions (3 of 2014).

Aligned with the Prime Minister's ongoing efforts to ease family burdens and stabilize prices, the Cabinet sanctioned the Ministerial Council for Economy's proposal (230192) to lower customs duty on imported live animals for slaughter (cattle and sheep) to (4%). This rate will be reevaluated after a period of (6) months from the decision's issuance.

As part of an effort to promote cultural awareness within society, the Cabinet has endorsed the proposal put forth by the Ministerial Council for Human Development (23022) for the year 2023. This recommendation designates March 3 of every year as a day to celebrate reading in Iraq, themed as "Iraq Reads." Relevant authorities are tasked with devising plans to invigorate this initiative.

Continuing its commitment to bolstering sports federations and clubs, the government has sanctioned an augmentation of one billion dinars to the financial allocation for Al-Zawraa Sports Club in the year 2023. This increase will be sourced from the social services account of the General Company for Iraqi Ports, following the amended Public Companies Law (22 of 1997), and in accordance with the exemption outlined in the Cabinet decision (25 of 2021).

The Council of Ministers has granted approval to the recommendation for the Cabinet to expedite the enactment of several Bills, which constitute pivotal projects linked to the government program. These bills are as follows:
1. Bill for the First Amendment to the Law of Seizure and Confiscation of Movable and Immovable Assets, related to the pillars of the previous regime (No. 72 of 2017).
2. A bill amending the Martyrs Foundation Law (No. 2 of 2016).
3. A bill on freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration.
4. Child Protection Bill.
5. The Bill on Protection from Domestic Violence.
6. The Ministry of Communications Bill.
7. The Communications and Informatics Bill.
8. A Bill for the allocation of lands and orchards within the fundamental layout of the city of Baghdad and the municipalities.
9. A Bill to return real estate to its owners, which was affected by certain decisions of the (dissolved) Revolutionary Command Council.
10. A Bill for the renting of agricultural lands.
11. The Bill of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service.
12. The Bill of the Iraqi National Security Agency.
13. The Anti-Terrorism Bill.
14. The Cabinet and Ministries Bill.
15. Bill for the Second Amendment to the Law to Abolish Legal Texts that Prevent Courts from Hearing Cases (No. 17 of 2005).
16. A Bill granting regular leave to employees.
17. Births and Deaths Bill.

The Cabinet discussed other issues on the agenda and issued the following decisions:
First/ The Cabinet has endorsed the Ministerial Council of Economy's recommendation (230200), which pertains to deferring the collection of customs duties for goods and commodities imported on behalf of ministries and government entities. This decision involves extending the validity of Cabinet Resolution No. (23035) for the year 2023 until December 31, 2023, (final extension).

Second/ The Ministry of Finance will provide an additional allocation of $400 million to the Ministry of Electricity. This funding will be used to finalize documented projects in accordance with Article (60) of the Federal Budget Law No. (13) for the year 2023.

Third / Approval has been granted to the recommendations presented during Meeting No. (19) of the National Population Council, as outlined in the communication from the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works. These decisions are based on the Diwani Order (23550 of 2023) and encompass the following measures:

The approved measures from the National Population Council's 19th meeting, based on Diwani Order (23550 of 2023), are as follows:

1. Inclusion of Ministry of Defense wounded individuals with 100% disability to be eligible for obtaining residential apartments in governorate complexes, similar to the families of martyrs.

2. Allocation of housing units implemented by the Ministry of Construction and Housing among various societal groups, such as martyrs' families, displaced persons, victims of terrorism, widows, people with special needs, non-employee citizens, and state employees, based on specific percentages.

3. Removal of fines imposed on residents of Al-Sadr and Al-Shumoukh complexes situated in Dhi Qar Governorate.

4. A 50% reduction in the prices of housing units for beneficiaries of the Ministry of Migration and Displaced who are returning from displacement within Iraq.

5. Determination of a percentage by the Higher Ministerial Committee for new city projects for housing units, declared for investment, to housing departments in respective governorates.