The Cabinet 1st session in 2024, including decisions

INA - BAGHDAD

The Cabinet held on Tuesday, the 1st Regular Session in 2024 chaired by Prime Minister Muhammed S. Al-Sudani discussing the country's overall situation, key issues, and agenda items that led to the issuance of various decisions.

The Cabinet has approved the allocation of 5 billion dinars to the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate. This fund is earmarked to cover the medical expenses of elderly, sick, and veteran journalists, bolster their social solidarity program, and provide assistance to the families of press martyrs, whose count exceeds 500, according to a statement by the PM Media Office, received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

In the realm of administrative reform, the Cabinet has addressed the evaluation of directors general to eliminate the practice of deputy management, as outlined in Article 71 of the Federal Budget Law. Consequently, the Cabinet has officially sanctioned the appointment of 99 directors general in adherence to the provisions outlined in Civil Service Law No. 24 of 1960. This decision follows a thorough evaluation process carried out following the mechanisms and standards endorsed by the Cabinet.

To support the children of the Christian community and facilitate their resettlement in their areas, the Cabinet decided the following:

- The Cabinet has approved the sale of a limited number of plots of land, specifically (700) plots, exclusively allocated to Christian residents of Kasbah. This decision is following the provisions outlined in the amended Law on the Selling and Renting of State Property (21 of 2013).

- In conjunction with this sale, a directive has been issued to display a notice restricting the disposal of the acquired property for three years from the date of ownership. Additionally, any financial obligations arising from the sale will be settled following Cabinet Resolution (372 of 2019).

The Cabinet approved AHL AL-WAFAA Company's investment project in Al-Salam District 21, Baghdad Governorate, at a cost of ($736,243,600). The investment license is granted based on the provisions of the amended Investment Law (13 of 2006), utilizing property owned by the Housing Construction Association for Ministry of Defense officers.

The Cabinet has approved the bill of the second amendment to the Law of the Supreme Commission for Hajj and Umrah (No. 23 of 2005). This bill, reviewed by the Council of State and subsequently forwarded to the Parliament, aligns with constitutional provisions and incorporates the Legal Department's opinion from the General Secretariat of the Cabinet.

In the electric energy sector, the Cabinet approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for Energy (23108 I) for the year 2023 regarding the maintenance and operation of diesel stations (North Diwaniyah, East Diwaniyah, East Karbala, and North Amara) - STX Company, according to the following:

1. The Ministry of Electricity announces a pre-qualification tender.
2. Excluding the Ministry of Electricity from the content of the sixth paragraph of Cabinet Resolution (361 of 2022).
The Cabinet also approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for the Economy (230326Q) as follows:
1. Approval granted for a price of (100) thousand dinars per ton of black oil product exclusively supplied to all brick factories.
2. Black oil usage in operational and power generation activities for plants (in both public and private sectors) will be supplied at a price of (150) thousand dinars per ton, except as specified in item (1).
3. Unifying petroleum product prices for projects approved by the Ministry of Industry and Minerals and the National Investment Commission. A specified time frame for implementation is set, and failure to comply will result in the closure of these plants for a maximum period of one year.
In the field of banking sector reform, the Cabinet approved the following:
1. Direct contract with Ernst & Young to study the restructuring of Rafidain Bank and Rasheed Bank, present recommendations, and propose a road map within 6 months.
2. Direct contract with Ernst & Young through the Industrial Bank to study the merger of Industrial Bank, Real Estate Bank of Iraq, and Agricultural Cooperative Bank. The specialized experts will provide recommendations, determine the merger timeline, and establish the balance transfer mechanism for the new bank.
3. Direct contract with Ernst & Young facilitated by the National Insurance Company to study the merger of the National Insurance Company with the Iraqi Insurance Company. The experts will recommend the merger, specify the timeline, and outline the fund transfer mechanism to the new company. Exempted from Government Contracts Guidelines (2 of 2014).

To address the displacement issue conclusively, Cabinet Resolution No. (23466) of 2023 has sanctioned the continuation of efforts. The goal is to fulfill the needs of displaced families and those returning from displacement, to ease their burdens. The committee, comprising the Ministry of Migration and Displacement, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Kurdistan Regional Government, has been formed to oversee the closure of camps and facilitate the voluntary return of displaced individuals. The target date for these actions is set for June 30, 2024.

The Cabinet has approved the following:
First/ Approval of proposals to streamline government procedures, presented by the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Human Development Affairs. This is part of a comprehensive vision aimed at streamlining procedures, accompanied by a clear guide, and employee training for effective implementation. The Prime Minister emphasized the significance of citizens experiencing tangible and transparent results from these streamlined processes.

Second/ Approval of projects outlined in specific paragraphs of the recommendations from the sixth meeting of the Iraqi-Chinese Framework Agreement. This decision is based on the provisions of Article 2 of Section 2 of the Iraqi-Chinese Agreement within the Federal Budget Law (13 of 2023).

Third/ Approval to extend the implementation of Cabinet Resolution (23035) of 2023, which pertains to the postponement of customs duties collection for imported goods and merchandise by the ministries and government entities not affiliated with a ministry. This extension is applicable unless the contract specifies that the exporter will bear these duties, with the new deadline set for June 30, 2024.