Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani presided over the 41st regular session of the Council of Ministers, focusing on critical national issues, including agricultural compensation, infrastructure development, and industrial policy.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the session commenced with the Prime Minister's report on his participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on Gaza. He reiterated Iraq's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the necessity for international resolutions to recognize the Palestinian people's rights. The Council also deliberated on various topics listed on the agenda, arriving at several pivotal decisions.
One of the significant resolutions involved compensating paddy farmers in the governorates of Diwaniyah, Muthanna, and Najaf for 2023, following the Prime Minister's recent dialogue with them. The government allocated 140 billion dinars to the draft federal budget for fiscal year 2026 to support this initiative. The Ministry of Agriculture is tasked with promoting advanced scientific methods in paddy cultivation to conserve water resources.
In terms of infrastructure, the Council approved recommendations to facilitate the import of GGBF and Fly Ash for the Grand Faw Port project. Rehabilitation efforts for Baghdad International Airport received a boost with the endorsement of technical and legal recommendations from the International Finance Corporation, allowing for the commencement of commercial bid submissions.
The Council also addressed the gas sector, endorsing negotiations by the Ministry of Oil for the fixed platform project to import liquefied natural gas (LNG). This includes a provision for the Oil Pipelines Company to bypass standard contracting procedures, enabling direct engagement with the Oil Projects Company using the EPCC method for the LNG pipeline project.
In the realm of trade and industry, the Council imposed a 20% customs duty on imported pasteurized liquid milk to protect local products. This measure will be effective for four years, with continuous monitoring of the market to assess its impact on local producers and the economy.
Additionally, the Council repealed a previous resolution regarding vehicle import regulations, aligning with the Traffic Law. Industrial project rental allowances were also adjusted, exempting projects on agricultural lands from certain controls, thereby facilitating industrial development.
Lastly, the Ministry of Commerce was granted an exemption from usual public auction procedures for selling suspended tea, aligning with the amended Law on the Sale and Lease of State Property. The Ministry is responsible for executing these contracts effectively.