The Cabinet holds the 2nd regular session, including decisions

INA - BAGHDAD

The Cabinet held on Tuesday, the 2nd regular session chaired by PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani where discussions were made on the country's overall situation, key issues, and agenda items led to the issuance of various decisions.

Al-Sudani directed the thorough follow-up of all discussed files. He also instructed ministers to intensify their visits to all governorates, reviewing on-site the progress of implemented projects and addressing any challenges they encounter, according to a statement by the PM Media Office received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

The statement included, "To advance the implementation of the service projects announced during the Prime Minister's visit to Dhi Qar, the Cabinet has approved the allocation of the land for the Tourist City of Ur to the Dhi Qar Governorate Reconstruction Fund. The allocated area is 433 dunams, allowing for the completion of projects within the fund's allocations. Relevant authorities are tasked with proceeding with the necessary procedures for implementation."

The Cabinet also approved the following:
1. Ownership transfer of the property near Imam Hussein Street, at a distance of 22 meters from the stadium project in Dhi Qar Governorate, previously owned by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. The Local Administration in Dhi Qar Governorate, the project beneficiary, will utilize it as a main parking garage.

2. Ownership transfer of the property behind the aforementioned stadium in Nasiriyah, originally owned by the Ministry of Finance. The Local Administration in Dhi Qar Governorate will now use it as a support stadium for training and warming up.

 3. The Dhi Qar Governorate Reconstruction Fund, in coordination with the Ministry of Planning, issued a change order in the amount of (7) billion dinars for the implementation of a multi-story garage and a practice field for (500) spectators' capacity within the contract concluded to implement the project (demolishing and rebuilding the stadium in the city of Nasiriyah). (Design and implementation), within the Fund’s investment budget for the year 2023.

Regarding the energy file, the Cabinet approved the Ministerial Council for Energy's recommendation (23110) for the year 2023 as follows:
- The Ministry of Electricity has completed contracting procedures with Sama Baghdad and UNITED ARAS to sign a contract for the expansion project of the Haidariyah gas power station. MAPNA GROUP is responsible for supplying materials and equipment and implementing the contract, based on the latter company's request. 

"The total amount is 241,500,000 euros, with an implementation period of 840 days, including reserve materials for two years, the gas reduction system (GRS), the cooling system (UP-STREAM), and other works. An integrated training program with a 14.73% increase in the estimated cost according to financial authorities will also be implemented."

To facilitate the continued implementation of service campaigns in Baghdad and the governorates, the Cabinet approved an extension of the mandate of the Service and Engineering Effort Team by Cabinet Resolution (23042 of 2023). The extension remains in effect until the team completes its assigned tasks. Additionally, the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister is authorized to contract for amounts up to one billion dinars in this regard.

In the foreign relations domain, the Cabinet has approved the opening of an Iraqi Consulate General in the German city of Munich. This decision is in accordance with the Foreign Service Law (45 of 2008) and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963. The Ministry of Finance is tasked with allocating the necessary funds for the establishment of the mentioned consulate.

 The Cabinet continued its session and approved the following:

First: Approval of the Bill on the Republic of Iraq's Accession to the Convention on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, prepared by the State Council. It entered into force on June 25, 2021, and has been referred to the Council of Representatives.

Second: Amendments to Cabinet Resolution No. (23216) of 2023, including:

1. Amendment to paragraph (1) by adding the clause (the allocation as an investment shall be an exception to Cabinet Resolution No. 169 of 2022 and may only be used for the purpose for which the allocation was made).
2. Amendment to paragraph (5) to obligate the company implementing the Al-Rashid Camp project to establish an air base as an alternative to Al-Salam Air Base after obtaining the necessary approvals.