Baghdad: The Ministry of Culture has emphasized the urgency for its departments to prepare and submit draft budgets to the central committee within a three-day timeframe. This directive was issued to ensure timely consolidation and submission to the Ministry of Finance, adhering to existing regulations and instructions.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Dr. Ali Redha Al-Hamoud, the Director General of the Administrative and Financial Department at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, underscored the necessity for all departments, excluding those with self-financing, to comply with this directive. Al-Hamoud chaired a meeting with department directors of accounts, accompanied by Assistant Director General Thamer Hamed, to discuss the mechanisms for preparing the 2027 draft general budget and stress the importance of meeting the specified deadlines.

The 2027 budget will incorporate a line-item budget, along with a pilot program and performance budget, Al-Hamoud explained. The submission process will be electronic and based on the departments' actual needs, with 2025 expenditures providing the foundation for financial estimates. He highlighted that the budget preparation is a collective responsibility demanding teamwork and ongoing coordination among the ministry's departments.

Al-Hamoud assured that the Administrative and Financial Department remains accessible to assist accounting managers in overcoming any challenges encountered during the process. This initiative aims to complete the budget within the designated timeframe and align with the Ministry of Finance's directives, thereby improving the efficiency of financial planning within the ministry.