Latest news with #MuhammedS.Al-Sudani
Iraqi News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
PM, Deputy Speaker of Parliament: It is important to secure the preparations for holding the elections
INA - BAGHDAD PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani met on Monday with the First Deputy Speaker of the Council of the Parliament, Mohsen Ali Al-Mandalawi. The meeting included a review of the overall situation in the country and recent regional developments, with emphasis on the importance of unifying efforts and positions in light of the ongoing challenges and crises in the region, according to a statement by the PM Media Office - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA. They discussed the covered ways to enhance cooperation between the executive and legislative branches to pass legislation that supports the government's service-oriented and development-focused program. Both emphasized the need to ensure the necessary preparations and requirements for holding the upcoming parliamentary elections on schedule, while encouraging broad public participation to ensure the results genuinely reflect the will and choices of the Iraqi people in electing their representatives.
Iraqi News
02-06-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Over $200 million fund, Iraqi-British agreement to establish milk production plant
The Iraq Development Fund signed a memorandum of understanding with the British company Agrium Capital on Monday to establish the first modern infant formula production plant in Iraq. The company indicated that the plant's production will cover 85% of the local market's needs, with a capital expenditure exceeding $200 million. During the signing ceremony, attended by an Iraqi News Agency - INA, the Executive Director of the Iraq Development Fund, Muhammed Al-Najjar, said, "This project may be one of the smallest we have undertaken, but it is closest to my heart and the hearts of all Iraqis, especially PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani, given its importance to the future of Iraqi youth, as Iraq witnesses an annual increase in the number of births that reaches one million children." 'Many types of imported infant formula do not have high nutritional value, so we believe this project is extremely important for the health of Iraqi children and future generations,' he noted. Al-Najjar pointed out that "the factory will be built inside Iraq and will rely on local raw materials, including Iraqi milk, to produce premium branded infant formula with high nutritional value, in addition to focusing on infant formula specifically, rather than powdered milk in general." 'There was a previous factory producing infant formula, but it ceased operation, and currently the milk is entirely imported from abroad,' he highlighted, adding, "the problem lies not only in the import of milk, but also in the absence of an integrated system for monitoring its quality. Having a factory inside Iraq allows us to benefit from the national livestock and ensures effective quality control." He noted, "The British company Agrium Capital has extensive experience in the field of infant formula production and has factories in several countries around the world. This step will be the beginning of a long path of cooperation in various fields." In turn, Rod Bassett, Managing Director of British company Agrium Capital, said, "Our company is global, implementing projects in various countries around the world. We employ approximately 3,000 people, and we have extensive experience in producing infant formula. We operate several specialized factories around the world." "Our company is currently focusing on renewable energy and food security, driven by our deep belief in the importance of building integrated food systems, from raw materials to the final consumer,' he added stressing that "Iraq represents an important and strategic partner for the Development Fund, and we are working to support its industrial sector in particular." Bassett expressed his pride in the partnership with the Iraq Development Fund, noting that "the group has been operating in Iraq for 15 years in various commercial fields, and we believe in our ability to provide the best for this country." 'The plant will be highly advanced, with a production capacity of up to 25,000 tons and a capital expenditure exceeding $200 million, which is sufficient capacity to cover between 80 and 85% of the Iraqi market's needs. This project is the first of its kind for the company in Iraq, and will be followed by several other projects,' according to Bassett.
Iraqi News
27-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
The Cabinets hold the 21st regular session, decisions included
The Cabinet held the 21st regular session on Tuesday chaired by PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani during which the latest developments and public affairs in the country were reviewed, along with several important files and issues. The Cabinet approved the recommendations of Diwani Order Committee No. 7 of 2025 concerning the violations documented in the investigation report of the Federal Commission of Integrity, dated July 4, 2024, related to the railway investment file and associated contracts, according to a statement by the PM's Media Office - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA. Based on the committee's findings, the Cabinet decided to dismiss the following officials for failing to fulfill their assigned duties: • Yaqoub Hussein Salem, Director General of the Legal Department at the Ministry of Transportation. • Abbas Nasser Majid, Director General of the Contracts and Licensing Department at the Ministry of Transportation. The report was also referred to the Federal Commission of Integrity to complete the legal procedures before the court. The Cabinet approved allowing the PM's Office to proceed with implementing the projects under Phase Two of the 'More Beautiful Baghdad' campaign, taking into account the comments presented during the session, which were approved by the Prime Minister. In the electricity sector, the Cabinet amended its Decision No. (346 of 2025), to approve contracting with the Turkish company as part of the Iraqi-Turkish power line 400 kV, for one year. The Ministry of Finance will provide the necessary allocations to ensure electricity supply to the northern region. The contract will be renegotiated after October 1, 2025, by a committee comprising representatives from the PM's Office, the Ministry of Electricity, and company KBR. The Cabinet also approved the continuation of solar energy projects, as follows: 1. Approval of the memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Electricity and UGT RENEWABLES to develop an integrated solar power project. The Ministries of Planning and Finance are to include the projects in line with national priorities and allocate the necessary funding. The Minister of Electricity was granted the required authority to proceed. 2. Approval of the Ministerial Council for Energy's recommendation regarding pricing and development costs for the 1000 MW Artawi Solar Power Plant project with TotalEnergies, as it is considered a strategic clean energy project. The Ministry of Oil is to fulfill its payment obligations under the signed power purchase agreements. The Director General of the State Company for Southern Electricity Production is authorized to sign the contract addendum with the French company. In the context of completing infrastructure and stalled projects, the Cabinet approved the following: 1. Increase the total cost for the Al-Husseiniya Concrete Bridge over the Tigris River project. 2. Increase the total cost and contingency amount for the two-way entrance of Al-Ahrar and Al-Ahrar Bridge project (Kut–Baghdad road). 3. Add a component for completing the Basra Provincial Council Building and increase the cost value of the main project. 4. Increase the total cost value for two Basra projects: infrastructure for 17 central districts, and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the Oil Housing area behind the Oil Cultural Center. 5. Increase the cost value of the Ninawa Ring Road Project and the Seventh Bridge. The Cabinet also reviewed border crossings and amended Decision No. (24187 of 2024), as modified by Decision No. (24266 of 2024), to exempt contracts related to Zurbatiya Border Crossing from procurement regulations, enabling the execution to proceed by transferring responsibilities from the main contractor to the subcontractor. The Cabinet approved a request by the Ministry of Health to lift the ban on importing electronic cigarettes, electronic hookahs, and tobacco products, subject to compliance with the Anti-Smoking Law (No. 19 of 2012). The Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control will issue relevant technical standards, the Iraqi Customs Authority will price these goods for customs duties, and commercial attachés abroad will authenticate certificates of origin and invoices for such goods for integration into the national system, thereby eliminating the need for secondary verification. Additional decisions made by the Cabinet include: 1. Amending Decision No. (245 of 2019) to authorize branch directors of the State Properties Department in the provinces to allocate Ministry of Finance-owned land and sign investment contracts after obtaining ministerial approval. 2. Approving the payment of $1 million to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from the 2025 foreign contributions budget. In the field of international cooperation and peaceful nuclear energy, the Cabinet authorized the Chairman of the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission to negotiate and sign a draft cooperation agreement between Iraq and the Russian Federation on the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, by the Constitution. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to prepare the necessary documents for approval by the Prime Minister.
Iraqi News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
PM: The Arab and Development Summits reflected Iraq's strength and role
PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani met on Saturday a delegation of Arab media professionals who participated in the 4th Arab Media Conference, held in Baghdad last week. Al-Sudani emphasized "the essential role of responsible and objective media in conveying facts to the public, especially concerning confronting challenges." "Iraq is witnessing a qualitative shift across various aspects of life, public services, and development," he noted. He also highlighted "the country's substantial efforts in launching strategic projects aimed at strengthening the national economy and achieving comprehensive integration, alongside ongoing infrastructure development and sustainable growth across all sectors." "These advancements reaffirm Iraq's central and leading role in the region and its expanding engagement on the global stage," he pointed out, stressing that "the outcomes of both the Arab Summit and the Arab Development Summit, recently held in Baghdad, reflected Iraq's strength and its capacity to shape regional and international solutions." Al-Sudani underscored "Iraq's growing stature serves as a pillar of strength for the Arab world, promoting regional stability, development, and shared interests, while expanding opportunities for deeper integration with neighboring Arab nations." PM Al-Sudani paid "solemn tribute to the martyrs of the press who lost their lives during the aggression on Gaza and southern Lebanon," honoring "the sacrifices they made in exposing the suffering of the Palestinian people and bringing to light the crimes of genocide committed against them." In turn, the visiting Arab media delegation extended its "congratulations to the Prime Minister on the successful hosting of the two summits in Baghdad, " commending "the rapid progress Iraq is achieving across multiple sectors." They praised the country's ongoing reconstruction and development drive, describing it as a 'transformative chapter' in Iraq's modern journey.
Iraqi News
24-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Al-Sudani: The government took decisive steps in the oil and gas sector
PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani met on Saturday with U.S. Senators Angus King and James Lankford, along with their accompanying delegation. Al-Sudani emphasized "the importance of bilateral relations with the United States and Iraq's aspiration to further develop and strengthen them across various fields, particularly in the sectors of economy, energy, investment, and culture, within the Iraq-US Strategic Framework Agreement." He referred to Iraq's relationship with the International Coalition in light of ongoing discussions regarding "the transition to a new phase of security cooperation focused on advising and capacity-building for Iraqi security forces." "There is a notable stability in Iraq, which has positively impacted the country's economic and developmental landscape," he added. He affirmed that the government has taken decisive steps in the oil and gas sector, as it achieved significant progress that will enhance cooperation and investment with the US companies in this field. The delegation members congratulated Al-Sudani on Iraq's successful hosting of the Arab Summit and the Development Summit as well as the country's growing role in contributing to regional stability. They expressed admiration for "Iraq's notable progress in construction and development, as well as the government's success across various areas." The U.S. senators showed their interest in strengthening cooperation between the two countries across all sectors.
