Cabinet decisions in today’s session

Baghdad-INA  
The Council of Ministers held today, Sunday, its fifteenth regular session, headed by Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), “Al-Sudani chaired the fifteenth regular session of the Council of Ministers, during which the general situation in the country was discussed, and a number of important files in various fields were discussed, in addition to deliberation on topics listed on the agenda and take decisions and recommendations thereon.”
 
He stated, “In order not to repeat the painful incident that happened to the students in the Haritha district, the following was agreed upon:
 
1. Basra Governorate will implement the projects listed below, within the governorate’s plan for the year 2024, to be funded as special programs from the revenues of the border crossings for the year 2024.
 
A. Establishing schools on both sides of the Basra-Baghdad road to prevent students from crossing from both sides.
B. Construction of pedestrian bridges crossing Basra-Baghdad Street.
C. Preparing and implementing traffic signs and traffic engineering warning equipment for (Basra - Baghdad) Street and industrial speed bumps.
 
2. Excluding the projects mentioned in Paragraph (1) above from the Instructions for Implementing Government Contracts (2 of 2014).
 
In the context of government work to improve the service situation and complete lagging projects, it was decided to approve the following:
 
First: Including the component (supplementary works for the construction of the Hawijat Albu Mahal Bridge) within the components of the project (constructing the Hawijat Albu Mahal Bridge, and increasing the cost of the main project.
 
Second: Including the component (supplementary works to create entertainment parks that include five-a-side courts) within the components of the project (constructing entertainment parks that include the construction of five-a-side courts), and increasing the total cost of the main project.
 
 
Third: Including the component (supplementary works for the project to equip machinery to a modern municipal directorate) within the project components (equipping machinery to a modern municipal directorate - a Volvo asphalt spreader and a German steel roller with a German rubber roller), and increasing the cost of the main project.
 
Fourth: Including the component (supplementary works for the construction of the College of Education building in Al-Qaim) within the components of the project (construction and rehabilitation of a laboratory, classrooms, and internal departments for the University of Anbar/Ramadi, Fallujah, and Al-Qaim), while increasing the cost of the main project.
 
Fifth: Increasing the amount of reserve for a contract (construction of a 20 km Haditha gray road, and construction of a 36 km long Haditha Gray Road, a second corridor), to implement compensation for uncompleted work for the difference in the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar.
 
Sixth: Increasing the total cost of the project (constructing the second corridor of the Ramadi-Haditha road with a length of 56 km (the first phase), which is included in the investment budget tables of the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works/Department of Roads and Bridges for the year 2023.
 
Seventh: 1. Increasing the total cost and reserve amount for the main project (building a bridge in Diyala Governorate linking Al-Khalis District to Khanaqin District).
 
2. Referring Diyala Governorate employees to the Diwani Order Committee (509) due to the problem they caused. Diyala Governorate bears responsibility for the veracity of the information and the accuracy of the data submitted to the Ministry of Planning.
 
Eighth: Increasing the total cost of the project (reconstructing buildings belonging to the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works for the Anbar Water Directorates and Anbar Municipalities)
 
Ninth: Increasing the amount of reserve for the components (re-establishing the Habbaniyah Municipality Directorate, the Fallujah Municipality Directorate, and the Fallujah Water Directorate).”
 
He pointed out that "in the context of supporting the brotherly Palestinian people in Gaza in the face of the attacks and difficult circumstances they are exposed to, the Council voted to approve the following:
 
1. Sending (10) million liters of kerosene to Gaza.
 
2. Receiving the wounded from Gaza to provide them with treatment in government and private hospitals.
 
He pointed out that, “in appreciation of the status of the Iraqi Scientific Academy, the following was approved:
 
The Ministry of Finance estimates the value of the plot of land numbered (2/204, District 15 Al-Dahna), with an area of (20) dunums, in accordance with the amended Law on the Sale and Rent of State Funds (21 of 2013), and sells it to the Iraqi Scientific Academy, with (50%) of the value of the allowance being written off. land, based on the applicable laws.”
 
The office stated, “The Council voted to approve the issuance of investment and partnership instructions between the public sector and the private sector for the year 2024, based on the provisions of the Constitution, and the Federal General Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the three fiscal years, taking into consideration the recommendations of the State Council, and the observations of the Legal Department in the General Secretariat of the Council.” Ministers, determine the percentage separately in each case, and present it to the Council of Ministers.”
 
He pointed out that "the Council approved the gift of the Ministry of Interior (177) various wheels to the Popular Mobilization Authority, based on Cabinet Resolution (150 of 2022) and the instructions to facilitate the implementation of the Federal General Budget Law (13 of 2023)."
 
He explained that “the Council approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for the Economy (24132 Q) according to the following:
Including the Popular Mobilization Authority to reduce the prices of oil derivatives to the official approved price instead of the commercial price, on par with the Ministries of Transport and Trade; In view of the services and work provided by the aforementioned authority in the field of services and engineering efforts,” indicating that “in the field of energy, the following was approved:
 
1. Amending Cabinet Resolution (23608 of 2023) regarding the principles of cooperation for the energy program in Iraq with the German company Siemens - the second phase, by adding the following phrase: (Complete the listing of the project before referral and signing in a way that ensures the provision of the necessary allocations for its completion.
 
2. adopting the phrase stated in Paragraph (1) mentioned above, in the future, in all decisions related to the issues of referral and signature.”
 
He added, "The Council decided the following:
 
1. Amending Cabinet Resolution (23738 of 2023), paragraph (2) thereof, so that investment companies will finance, prepare materials and implement the lines (Bazian - Kirkuk 400 kV), and (Erbil Center - East Mosul 400 kV), instead of (Erbil-West Mosul 400 kV) line, and authorizing the Ministry of Electricity to sign power purchase contracts with the Kar and Qaiwan companies, and a contract addendum with the Erbil and Sulaymaniyah companies, starting from the date of installation, according to the agreement with the Ministry of Electricity in the regional government, as they achieve greater flexibility and stability. In shedding loads for the energy supplied from Erbil and Sulaymaniyah governorates to the national grid system.”
He pointed out that “in the course of the government’s efforts to improve the work of brick factory owners and reduce their environmental damage, the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for the Economy (24090 Q) was approved, which includes canceling paragraph (4) of the Council of Ministers’ decision (24012 of 2024), and setting a period of (3) (a maximum of years) starting from the date of issuance of this decision to the owners of brick factories, to replace the operating fuel from black oil to gas, and to grant them soft loans for this purpose.”
 
He stated, “Within the framework of the support provided by the government to peasants and farmers, the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for the Economy (24110 Q) was approved, according to the following:
 
1. Approval of the price fixed in Cabinet Resolution (140 of 2022) for the current season exclusively (2023-2024), the amount of (850 thousand dinars), per ton.
 
2. The Ministries (Trade and Agriculture) study the purchase prices of the wheat crop for the upcoming agricultural seasons, according to specific principles (realistic production costs, global market prices, any variables that may occur in the future), to obtain a reasonable price that achieves a reasonable return for farmers, and propose a price. The crop used by irrigation methods with modern technologies distinguishes it from others before the planting season, specifically in the month of July, and a study is submitted to the Ministerial Council for the Economy to determine the purchase price.”
 
He continued, "In order to achieve the technical standards required by investors in the housing sector, the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for the Economy (24063 Q) was approved according to the following:
 
1. Obliging investors who obtain a building permit or investment license to build new residential complexes, cities, and commercial complexes (horizontal or vertical), or those under construction, whether by investment or at their own expense, to apply the code for thermal insulation of buildings according to the specifications set forth in the code, in addition to Obligating all ministries, government agencies and governorates to implement this in their new buildings as a first stage, and then implementing it for existing buildings as a second stage and under the supervision of the ministries (Planning/Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control, Reconstruction and Housing, and Municipalities and Public Works/Buildings Department), provided that buildings and residential complexes are included. The existing commercial ones are currently in the second phase, under the supervision of the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works/Department of Buildings.
 
2. this decision will be implemented starting from July 1, 2024.”
 
He stated that “the Council authorized the Ministry of Planning to attract reliable, reliable inspection companies to contract with them in order to carry out the process of inspecting goods manufactured inside Iraq and goods not examined in the country of origin, which is the responsibility of the Ministry of Planning / the Central Agency for Standardization and Quality Control at border crossings, in accordance with controls.” Issued by the Minister of Planning.
 
He pointed out that "the Council issued its decision to approve the recommendation of the Diwani Order Committee (23520) for the year 2023, regarding the New Sadr City project, which includes:
 
1. Amending the name of the project to become (Construction of New Sadr City), instead of (Infrastructure/Reconstruction of Sadr City/First Phase).
2. Increase the total amount allocated to the new Sadr City construction project from the investment account of the Iraqi-Chinese Framework Agreement.”
 
He added, "The Council of Ministers voted on the following:
 
1. Not approving the request of the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding canceling the staff training clause for the three project contracts required by the company implementing the project (the sports hall with a capacity of (500) spectators in the Hindiyah District in the Holy Karbala Governorate).
 
2. Approval of increasing the amount of reserve within the total cost of the above project, and emphasizing that the aforementioned ministry is careful when submitting applications related to investment projects and providing correct data and information; So that the Ministry of Planning can study it and express an opinion on it.”
 
He pointed out that “as part of the government’s efforts to resolve the legal problems between Iraq and some Italian companies, dating back to the 1980s, the Council decided, with regard to the Omnipol lawsuit, the following:
 
1 Assigning a lawyer to the Iraqi embassy in Rome for the purpose of lifting the seizure and closing all lawsuits filed by Omnipol for the debt, after completing settlement procedures.
 
2. A period of 6 weeks will be set to sign the settlement agreement after the Council of Ministers approves the payment of the settlement amount, and authorizes the Iraqi ambassador in Rome to sign the settlement agreement.
 
3. The claimed settlement amount will be deposited, after signing the settlement agreement, in the account of the Iraqi embassy in Rome (as it is a secured account), until the procedures for lifting the seizure are completed by the company, and the ambassador is authorized to transfer the amount to it after completing the legal procedures.”
 
He said, “With regard to Eurocerediti’s lawsuit, the following was decided:
 
1. Assigning a lawyer from the Iraqi embassy for the purpose of lifting the seizure and closing all lawsuits filed by AeroCredit for the debt, after completing the settlement procedures.
 
2. A period of 6 weeks will be set to sign the settlement agreement after the Council of Ministers approves the payment of the settlement amount and authorizes the Iraqi ambassador in Rome to sign the settlement agreement.
 
3. The claimed settlement amount will be deposited, after signing the settlement agreement, in the account of the Iraqi embassy in Rome (as it is a secured account), until the procedures for lifting the seizure are completed by the company, and the ambassador is authorized to transfer the amount to it after completing the legal procedures.”
 
He said, “With regard to Eurocerediti’s lawsuit, the following was decided:
 
1. Assigning a lawyer from the Iraqi embassy for the purpose of lifting the seizure and closing all lawsuits filed by AeroCredit for the debt, after completing the settlement procedures.
 
2. A period of 6 weeks will be set to sign the settlement agreement after the Council of Ministers approves the payment of the settlement amount and authorizes the Iraqi ambassador in Rome to sign the settlement agreement.
3. Deposit the settlement amount claimed after signing the settlement agreement in the account of the Iraqi embassy in Rome (being a secured account), until the procedures for lifting the seizure are completed by the company, and the ambassador is authorized to transfer the amount to it after completing the legal procedures, while preparing official records of the settlement with the Iraqi embassy. in Rome". [8:50 م، 2024/4/7] عماد: To prevent a recurrence of the tragic incident involving students in the Al-Hartha District, the following measures have been approved:
 
1. The Basra Governorate will execute the projects listed below as part of the 2024 plan, funded as special programs from the 2024 border ports revenues:
   a. Construction of schools on both sides of the Basra-Baghdad highway so that the students do not have to cross the highway.
   b. Construction of pedestrian bridges over the Basra-Baghdad street.
   c. Provision and implementation of traffic signs, including warning signs for the Basra-Baghdad street and speed bumps.
 
2. The projects mentioned in item (1) are exempted from the instructions for executing government contracts (2 for the year 2014).
 
In the context of government efforts to improve service delivery and complete delayed projects, the following approvals were granted:
 
First: The inclusion of the component (complementary works for the construction of Hawija Al-Bu Mohal Bridge) within the components of the project (construction of Hawija Al-Bu Mohal Bridge), with an increase in the project's overall costs.
 
Second: The inclusion of the project component (complementary works for establishing recreational parks including five-a-side football fields) within the components of the project (establishing recreational parks including the construction of five-a-side football fields), with an increase in the overall costs of the main project.
 
Third: The inclusion of the project component (complementary works for supplying heavy construction equipment to the Haditha Municipality Directorate) within the components of the project (supplying heavy construction equipment to the Haditha Municipality Directorate - including a Volvo asphalt paver and a German steel drum roller with a German rubber drum roller), with an increase in the main project's costs.
 
 
Fourth: Including the component (complementary works for the construction of the College of Education building in Al-Qaim) within the components of the project (construction and rehabilitation of a laboratory, lecture halls, and dormitory sections for the University of Anbar/ Ramadi, Fallujah, Al-Qaim), with an increase in the main project's costs.
 
Fifth: Increasing the funds for (construction of a 20 km Ramadi-Haditha road, and a second road for the Ramadi-Haditha road spanning 36 km) for compensation for incomplete works due to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Iraqi dinar (IQD).
 
Sixth: Increasing the total cost of the project (construction of the second road of the Ramadi–Haditha road spanning 56 km (Phase I)) listed in the investment budget of the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works/ Roads and Bridges Directorate for 2023.
 
Seventh: Increasing the total cost and the funding for the main project (construction of a bridge in Diyala province connecting Al-Khalis and Khanaqin districts).
   - Referring Diyala province officials to the Diwani Order Committee (509) due to the problems they caused, with Diyala governorate bearing the responsibility for the accuracy of the information and data provided to the Ministry of Planning.
 
Eighth: Increasing the total cost for the project (reconstruction of buildings belonging to the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works for the Water Directorate of Anbar and the Municipalities of Anbar).
 
Ninth: Increasing the funding for the project components (reconstruction of the Al-Habbaniyah Municipality Directorate, Fallujah Municipality Directorate, and Fallujah Water Directorate).
  In support of the Palestinian people in Gaza facing aggressions and difficult conditions, the Council of Ministers approved the following:
 
1. Sending 10 million liters of diesel to Gaza.
2. Welcoming injured individuals from Gaza to provide treatment in public and private hospitals.
 
Appreciating the status of the Iraqi Academy of Sciences, it was agreed to:
 
Assess the value of land plot number (2/204 district 15 Al-Dahna) measuring 20 dunams, according to the Selling and Renting State Property Law (21 of 2013), amended, and sell it to the Iraqi Academy of Sciences, with a 50% discount on the land price, based on current laws.
 
The Council approved the 2024 Investment and Partnership Instructions between the public and private sectors, based on constitutional provisions, the Law of the Federal Budget of Iraq for the next three fiscal years, taking into account the State Council's recommendations and the Legal Department's notes in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. Each case's percentage will be determined separately and presented to the Council for approval.
 
Additionally, the Council agreed to donate 177 various vehicles from the Ministry of Interior to the Popular Mobilization Forces, under cabinet resolution (150 of 2022) and the instructions for facilitating the execution of the Federal Budget Law (13 of 2023).
 
Furthermore, the Council of Ministers endorsed the Economic Ministerial Council's recommendation (24132) to equalize the Popular Mobilization Forces with the Ministries of Transportation and Trade by applying the official approved rate instead of the commercial rate for oil derivatives prices, acknowledging PMF's contributions to service and engineering efforts.
 
 
In the energy sector, the following was approved:
 
1. Amendment of Cabinet Resolution No. (23608 of 2023) regarding the principles of cooperation for the Siemens Energy German company’s energy program in Iraq - Phase Two, to include the following phrase: "Ensure project inclusion before referral and signing to guarantee the provision of necessary allocations for completion."
 
2. Future adoption of the phrase stated in paragraph (1) above in all decisions related to referral and signing matters.
 
Additionally, the Council decided to:
 
1. Amend Cabinet Resolution No. (23738 of 2023), paragraph (2), to have investment companies finance, supply materials, and execute the (Bazian-Kirkuk 400 kV) and (Erbil Center-East Mosul 400 kV) lines, instead of the (Erbil-West Mosul 400 kV) line. The Ministry of Electricity is authorized to sign power purchase agreements with KAR and Qaiwan companies, and an annex with Erbil and Sulaymaniyah companies, effective from the supply date, as agreed with the Ministry of Electricity in the Regional Government. These changes provide greater flexibility and stability in distributing the power loads supplied from Erbil and Sulaymaniyah provinces to the national grid system.
2. A six-week deadline is set for signing the settlement agreement after the Council approves the settlement amount, authorizing the Iraqi Ambassador in Rome to sign the settlement agreement.
 
3. The settlement amount, after signing the agreement, is to be deposited into the Iraqi Embassy's account in Rome (as it is a protected account) until the company completes the seizure lifting procedures, authorizing the ambassador to transfer the amount to them after completing the legal procedures.
 
Regarding the lawsuit by Eurocredit, the following was decided:
 
1. Assign the lawyer of the Iraqi Embassy to lift the seizure and close all lawsuits filed by Eurocredit, upon completing settlement procedures.
 
2. Set a six-week deadline to sign the settlement agreement after the Council of Ministers approves the settlement amount, authorizing the Iraqi Ambassador in Rome to sign the agreement.
 
3. Deposit the claimed settlement amount into the Iraqi Embassy's account in Rome (as it is a protected account) until the company completes the procedures to lift the seizure, authorizing the ambassador to transfer the amount to them after completing the legal procedures, and to prepare official settlement records with the Iraqi Embassy in Rome.