The Cabinet holds the 40th session, decisions included

INA - BAGHDAD

The Cabinet held the 40th session on Tuesday, chaired by PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani, one of two sessions held today to compensate for the session that did not take place on September 24th due to the PM's participation in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During the session, the Cabinet discussed the general situation in the country, reviewed several vital issues, deliberated on the agenda items, and made the necessary decisions.

To strengthen the role of Iraqi women and support their significant presence in public life and various sectors, the Cabinet approved a recommendation from the Higher Council for Women to designate March 3rd as National Women's Day in Iraq, to be observed annually.

The Cabinet also hosted the President of the Iraqi Engineers Union in line with the PM's directive to engage professional associations and unions to enhance sectoral work and gather development proposals. 

The Prime Minister directed the formation of a committee, headed by the Legal Department of the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, with members from the Prime Minister Advisory Commission and the Engineers Union, to study the obstacles presented by the union, propose solutions, and submit them to the Council of Ministers within 30 days. The committee is also authorized to invite relevant entities as necessary.

The session included a review of the performance of public service sectors and the implementation of the government's reform program. 

The Cabinet approved the guidelines for implementing Article 35, Paragraph 1, of the Federal Budget Law (No. 13 of 2023), related to transferring ownership of donated lands from individuals to educational or health institutions and other government departments. 

The Higher Commission for Coordination between Governorates will coordinate with the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture to devise a mechanism that allows agricultural contract holders (non-owners) to waive part or all of their contract period for government projects on the contracted land, including schools and health institutions, in exchange for specific benefits.

As part of the government's efforts to reform the financial and banking sectors, the Cabinet approved the contracting of Rafidain Bank with K2 Integrity and up to three experts in the fields of compliance, anti-money laundering, and risk management. This contract is exempt from government contracting regulations and related decisions, aiming to enhance banking operations and establish correspondent banks outside Iraq to provide better services to customers.

In support of the private industrial sector and in facilitating the ownership of lands for industrial projects, the Cabinet approved the amendment of Cabinet's Decision No. 24413 of 2024. 

The Ministry of Agriculture and its provincial land departments will lift agricultural reform restrictions on lands designated under this decision, following a request from the State Properties Department. This is to be done according to the relevant laws, with the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, the National Investment Commission, and provincial investment authorities taking the necessary actions in case of non-compliance by beneficiaries.

Regarding investment regulation, the Cabinet approved the second amendment to Investment Regulation No. 2 of 2009, as reviewed by the State Council, based on the Constitution and Investment Law No. 13 of 2006, while considering legal remarks and recommendations from the committee studying the amendment.

The Cabinet also reviewed the recommendations of the team tasked with studying the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) and the Technology Action Plan (TAP) documents, approving the recommendations and assigned the Ministry of Environment to implement them in coordination with relevant sectoral authorities. The ministry will also translate the documents into legal terms using funds from the Environmental Protection and Improvement Fund and submit the documents to the donor entity as per applicable agreements and laws.

In foreign service matters, the Cabinet approved the establishment of an Iraqi Consulate General in Glasgow, UK, based on the Foreign Service Law No. 45 of 2008 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.

To manage foreign labor in Iraq, the Cabinet approved the recommendations of the committee regarding the legal adjustment of the status of foreign workers, incorporating the Legal Department's remarks from the General Secretariat of the Cabinet.

In housing sector projects, the Cabinet approved the amendment of Paragraph 1 of its Decision No. 325 of 2013 to allow the establishment of the "Jannat Baghdad Housing Complex" on an area of 119 dunams. The National Investment Commission was also authorized to amend the investment license and negotiate the investment contract with the investor.

The Cabinet also approved the recommendations of the fourth meeting on the establishment of the Iraqi Commercial Center near Baghdad International Airport.

In the transportation sector, the Cabinet approved the minutes of the technical committee of the Iraqi Railways Company tasked with negotiating with the Spanish company Emathia for the construction of the Basra-Shalamcheh railway line. The contract will be finalized, considering the Legal Department's remarks, and the negotiation period was extended by 60 days.

In addressing delayed projects and infrastructure development, the Cabinet approved the following:

1. Increasing the total cost and contingency fund for the contract to construct the building for Al-Ramadi Radio and Television Station, included in the Iraqi Media Network's investment budget.

2. Increasing the total cost for the infrastructure project in Suq Al-Shuyukh district in Dhi Qar Governorate.