Baghdad, Iraq- The Iraqi Cabinet held its 9th regular session on Tuesday, chaired by Prime Minister Muhammed S. Al-Sudani, during which it discussed the country’s recent developments and reviewed key government initiatives. The session also focused on progress made in the government program, addressing various agenda items and making decisions aimed at advancing Iraq’s development.
In his opening remarks, PM Al-Sudani extended his “best wishes to the Iraqi people” on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, praying for “blessings and prosperity for all Iraqis.”
One of the major items on the Cabinet’s agenda was the development of infrastructure projects. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance, or her designee, to sign a loan agreement with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). This agreement will provide funding for the Al-Hamza District Sewer Project in Al-Diwaniyah Province. The project will be financed under the Federal Budget Law No. 13 of 2023, which covers the fiscal years 2023-2025, benefiting the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works.
In addition, the Cabinet approved amendments to Resolution No. (356 of 2021). These amendments authorize the Minister of Finance, or her delegate, to sign agreements for additional financing for the Al-Khalidiya Sewerage Project in Anbar Province. The project will also be funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), as part of the ongoing efforts to improve Iraq’s infrastructure.
In a bid to resume stalled and delayed projects, the Cabinet made several key decisions. These included increasing the contingency allocation for the construction of a 200-bed hospital in Al-Zubair District, Basra Province. Additionally, the Cabinet approved an increase in the total cost for phase two of the Baiji Sewer Project in Salah Al-Din Province, which is part of the 2024 investment budget.
The Cabinet also made significant strides in the energy sector. It approved the Ministerial Council for Energy Recommendation No. 89 of 2024, along with the committee’s recommendation to exempt the Ministry of Electricity from standard contracting procedures. This exemption allows for the issuance of separate invitations for consultants to provide legal, financial, and technical advisory services.
Regarding the Maysan Refinery Development Project, the Cabinet made several decisions. It approved moving forward with phase one of the project and formed a National Effort Team, headed by the Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs, to oversee the project’s construction. The Cabinet also granted the team the authority to select and negotiate with manufacturing and executing companies, while funding for the project will be sourced from the operational budget of the South Refineries Company.
The Cabinet also approved a delay in including new projects in the Ministry of Transport’s investment budget. This decision aligns with the government’s broader strategy to encourage investment and public-private partnerships for airport rehabilitation and operations.
Additionally, the Cabinet made exemptions in various areas, including exempting the General Grain Trading Company from the annual revenue condition for bidding on tenders related to constructing grain storage bunkers for locally produced wheat. Similarly, the Ministry of Health was exempted from certain clauses related to the cancellation of import licenses for materials imported for health purposes.
The session also saw the Cabinet approve the issuance of 2025 implementation instructions for Legislative Decision No. (12) of 2004 by the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works.
Overall, the session focused on advancing Iraq’s infrastructure projects, streamlining operations, and addressing the needs of various sectors in line with the government’s long-term goals.
