Baghdad, The Expert in Economic Affairs, Safwan Qusai, stressed the importance of approving the general budget for the year 2023 as soon as possible and not delaying it further, calling for setting the price of a barrel of oil in the 2023 budget at a price of 70 dollars.

Qusai said in a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency (NABNA): “It is clear that the passage of the 2023 budget has been long delayed due to the Ministry of Finance adjusting the estimates of imported items and reconsidering the issue of social welfare, as well as reconsidering determining the exchange rate,” stressing that: “The time has come to send this budget as soon as possible and set the price of a barrel at 70 dollars, because covering the deficit can be done through the rise in oil prices above 70 dollars, and currently it is at an average of 85 dollars.

He stressed the need to rationalize public spending at this stage, with the need to allocate sufficient funds to the Ministry of Commerce to import all kinds of goods that are purchased at the official price through the window, and that the sale process be a final revenue for the Ministry of Finance, and thus we ensure that prices are not linked to the parallel market price, but are controlled, through the Ministry of Commerce and other federal ministries, which can import materials at official prices./End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency