Baghdad: The Ministry of Planning is in discussions with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to finalize the launch of multimedia language lab equipment. This equipment, provided by Korea, is intended to support various Iraqi ministries, including Planning, Labor and Social Affairs, Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Foreign Affairs, as part of ongoing cooperation programs and post-project support initiatives.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, a joint meeting was held on Monday, chaired by Dr. Saher Abdul Kadhim, Director General of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Planning, representing the Iraqi side. Mr. Jian Ji-ha, the president of KOICA, led the Korean delegation, which included his deputy and other representatives. Officials from the General Authority of Customs and other beneficiary government agencies were also in attendance.

The discussions focused on procedures to finalize the release of the equipment. Although the necessary administrative and procedural requirements had been completed by the beneficiary entities, delays occurred due to issues with the ESCWA system requirements. Specifically, there were discrepancies between the identification codes of the internationally imported equipment and those recognized by the General Authority of Customs.

The meeting addressed these challenges and concluded that the Ministry of Finance and the General Authority of Customs must resolve the issues since the beneficiary entities have fulfilled all procedural requirements for the equipment’s release. Both parties stressed the importance of presenting the matter to the Cabinet to secure the necessary directives to expedite the release process.

Additionally, discussions covered ongoing Korean agency programs in Iraq, with an emphasis on maintaining joint coordination between both sides and the beneficiary government entities. This collaboration aims to overcome obstacles, complete programs and projects, and achieve their objectives.