Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired the 18th regular session of the Council of Ministers, addressing the country’s general situation along with several critical issues. The meeting resulted in significant decisions, notably concerning financial support for farmers and international aid.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister’s office announced that approval was granted for the Ministry of Finance to pay the remaining dues to farmers for the paddy crop for the marketing season of 2024-2025. This move aligns with the Prime Minister’s directives to bolster support for farmers and ensure their financial entitlements are met.

In a display of solidarity with Arab nations, the Council decided to donate 50,000 tons of wheat to the Republic of Tunisia, symbolizing a gesture of goodwill from the Iraqi people to the Tunisian populace.

The Council also took steps to enhance the electoral process by approving an addendum to the contract between the Independent High Electoral Commission and South Korean company Miro. This addendum involves equipping biometric cameras to aid in processing voters whose fingerprints are unrecognizable on election day, circumventing the restrictions of Cabinet Resolution No. 90 of 2009.

Additionally, the Council agreed to exempt the Ministry of Defense from the constraints of Cabinet Resolution No. 24167 of 2024, with the stipulation that imported goods for the Ministry be marked with an identification label.

In efforts to support the industrial sector, the Council amended its prior decision regarding the private industrial sector and land ownership for industrial projects. The amendments include estimating rental allowances based on fair rent and applying previous Economic Affairs Committee decisions to projects established before the implementation of the 1998 Industrial Investment Law for the Private and Mixed Sectors.