“Tidbits From TNT” Friday Morning 1-24-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  3415 personnel trained to combat money laundering

As part of the Central Bank of Iraq's measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, it announced yesterday, Wednesday, the training of (3415) people concerned with this file.

Hussein Al-Maqram, representative of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Office at the Central Bank, confirmed to "Al-Sabah" that "the Financial Action Task Force issued a report confirming the strength and solidity of the system followed in Iraq with regard to combating money laundering and terrorist financing."

He added that "the report reflects the solid system in Iraq to combat these crimes, and the important efforts made by the state to combat them in accordance with international standards."  

Al-Maqram pointed out that "the report focused on understanding the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing, and the effectiveness of implementing measures to combat these crimes, including international cooperation, confiscation of criminal proceeds, and investigation and prosecution procedures."

He continued by saying: "Based on the annual and comprehensive training plan to raise the level of knowledge and commitment to the requirements imposed in the field of combating money laundering, terrorist financing and financing the proliferation of weapons, the number of trainees cocerned with the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing system during the past year reached (3415) trainees." link

Tishwash:  Taxes Knock on the Doors of Electronic Payment Ports in Iraq (Document)

The General Tax Authority, affiliated with the Iraqi Ministry of Finance, began operations on Thursday towards electronic payment outlets across the country, days after a decision by the Central Bank that sparked widespread controversy regarding closing these outlets or merging them with exchange companies.

A document issued by the Authority, obtained by Shafaq News Agency, was addressed to the Central Bank of Iraq, in order to provide it with a database of electronic payment outlets, in order to register them and collect taxes from them.

Last Monday, the Association of Financial Outlets for Electronic Payment in Iraq ended a strike that it had started that morning, in protest against the decision of the Central Bank of Iraq to close outlets or merge them with exchange companies.

However, the Central Bank later denied issuing any directive or statement regarding the closure of exchange outlets, stressing in a statement that the goal is to expand the spread of financial outlets through ATMs and licensed electronic payment companies. link

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Tishwash:  Prime Minister confirms Iraq's aspiration for more cooperation with the Arab Monetary Fund

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani called on the Arab Monetary Fund to cooperate in building bridges with its financial institutions.

A statement from his media office received by "Al-Eqtisad News" stated that "Al-Sudani received the head of the Arab Monetary Fund, Mr. Fahd bin Mohammed Al-Turki."

He stressed "the government's support for the tasks of the Arab Monetary Fund, of which Iraq is a founder and the second largest contributor, after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Al-Sudani pointed out that "Iraq looks forward to further cooperation with the Fund, and that the effects of its work will be reflected on the Iraqi scene, through its contribution to financing the reconstruction and development campaign that the government has embarked on, especially in the field of infrastructure, as well as the desire for the Fund to work on expanding the contribution of Iraqi cadres in its work, and building bridges with Iraqi financial institutions."

He stressed "the importance of the Fund contributing to strengthening Arab ties, by regulating financial, monetary and trade relations, in a way that enhances common interests between them."

For his part, the Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund stressed the Fund's keenness to support Iraq and participate in its development programmes, in a way that contributes to enhancing constructive cooperation in the field of financial and financing sectors.  link

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Tishwash:  President of the Republic: Our relationship with America and Iran is good, and we are not under the control or will of any country

The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, confirmed that Iraq is now free of terrorist operations, while describing the relationship with the United States of America and Iran as “good” and that we are not under the control or will of any country.

Rashid said, in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, followed by {Al-Furat News}, that: “Trump’s return is an important step to resolve conflicts in the world and the Middle East, and Iraq is now free of terrorist operations, and what remains of terrorism does not exceed a few pockets.”

He added, "Our relations with the United States of America are good, and we thank the American position for standing by our side in fighting the terrorist organization ISIS," noting that "the American forces are present under bilateral agreements, and at the request of the Iraqi government and in coordination and consultation with the political forces in Iraq."

Rashid continued, "The factions are now under the control of the government according to procedures that the relevant authorities are working on, to reach a situation that ends any combat activity in these circumstances," stressing "the importance of the state of Iran as a state and our relations with it are good; but we are the decision-makers in Iraq, and we are not under the control or will of any state."

He added, "Our region is a historical and civilized region, and is considered one of the most important regions. It is rich in natural resources more than any region of the neighboring countries. Therefore, we must enjoy our wealth, enjoy security and peace, and work to solve the problems of the neighboring countries."

Rashid added, "We tried to contribute to finding solutions to settle the situation in Syria during the era of Bashar al-Assad's regime, several times. Syria is an important country in the Middle East, and it shares borders with a number of countries in the region, but Bashar's regime unfortunately did not invest in our attempts. We supported Syria's return to the Arab League, and we tried to bring the views of the former Syrian regime and the various factions closer together."

"We wish the new administration in Syria success in improving the situation, but things are not very clear yet," he added, explaining, "We share a long border with Syria, and the fact is that there are a large number of terrorist organizations on the Iraqi-Syrian border, and that worries us. The international community must work to find radical solutions to the crisis of terrorists in detention camps who hold different nationalities."

Regarding the water crisis, Rashid said, “The water crisis exists at the present time, and its solutions also exist. The solutions, in my opinion, are easy if there is a real and serious intention to solve this problem. There are three main factors that contribute to the water crisis: neighboring countries, climate, and improving water management in Iraq.”  link

Mot: and Now We Has --- ""Snowda""

Mot: Poor old Earl……muffin likes pets