Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi received U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and his delegation yesterday evening at his residence in Washington, D.C.

According to Iraqi News Agency, during the meeting, Prime Minister Al-Zaidi emphasized that Iraq is on the brink of a new era focused on constructing a sovereign state devoid of corruption and bolstered by a sustainable economy. He highlighted that the government's priorities include tackling corruption and ensuring that arms are solely under state control, achieved through a series of pivotal measures.

The statement further revealed that the Prime Minister assured the public that these initiatives would yield noticeable improvements in the coming year, particularly in energy, investment, and stability. He emphasized the government's commitment to reforming and restructuring the banking and insurance sectors comprehensively, along with reforms in tax and customs. These efforts aim to cultivate a more efficient and sustainable economic environment.

In response, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent expressed support for Iraq's policies and its earnest endeavors to transition the bilateral relationship towards investment and economic development. He underscored the importance of leveraging Iraq's resources for genuine economic growth.

Secretary Bessent affirmed the United States' readiness to assist Iraq in implementing its economic strategies, overcoming development challenges, and establishing a timeline to bolster the Iraqi economy through significant economic and financial reforms.