Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired the 39th regular session of the Council of Ministers, where significant decisions were made on various national issues. The session included discussions on the country’s general situation and the agenda topics, resulting in several approvals and initiatives.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Council of Ministers approved the third round of exams for final primary, third intermediate, and sixth preparatory grades for the current academic year. Additionally, a significant step was taken toward enhancing the housing sector with the approval of real estate developer regulations for investment-based projects, establishing a roadmap for affordable housing options and land conversion in line with international standards.

Addressing water scarcity, the Council approved the minutes from a consultative meeting on this issue and endorsed the seawater desalination project as part of the necessary solutions. In a move to bolster renewable energy, land allocations were approved for solar power plants in Baghdad and Babylon.

Efforts to enhance e-services were also highlighted with the adoption of the Federal Electronic Visa System as a unified platform for entry visas. This system will streamline processes and integrate health insurance policies through licensed insurance companies, ensuring comprehensive management of expatriate and resident affairs.

The Council further supported consumer protection measures by approving an additional customs duty of 25% on imported fish feed for four years. This decision aims to protect local markets and will be reviewed periodically for its impact.

In other decisions, the Council chose to postpone fines imposed on the Diwaniyah Sewerage Directorate for a year and approved a major infrastructure project for Samarra with a 1,000-day implementation timeline. Furthermore, measures were sanctioned to expedite the completion of delayed health projects, reflecting a commitment to improving public health infrastructure.