Baghdad: Today’s newspapers, Tuesday, highlighted Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s emphasis on not allowing the creation of a business-repellent environment and President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid’s call for active participation in the upcoming elections.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sabah newspaper reported that within the economic reform path adopted by the government, the tax system constitutes one of the most prominent axes for restructuring the national economy and achieving greater independence away from traditional oil revenues. Observers believe that the Tax Conference for Economic Development and Stimulating the Investment Environment, sponsored by Prime Minister Al-Sudani in Baghdad yesterday, represents a pivotal moment for launching a serious political will to transform taxes from a limited collection tool into an investment force that enhances confidence in the economy and ensures social justice.
The report continued, highlighting that while the general budget witnesses ex
penditures exceeding 150 trillion dinars, compared to tax revenues not exceeding 3 trillion, Al-Sudani’s speech placed the balance equation on the table for discussion. He emphasized that digital transformation, new legislation, and the unification of procedures with the Kurdistan Region all constitute gateways to structural reform that opens broader horizons for investment and growth.
During the conference, Al-Sudani indicated that tax revenues increased by 26% during the year 2024 compared to the previous year. He stressed that no tax increases that might create a business-repellent environment are permitted and emphasized that tax reform aims to support the private sector by providing an attractive environment for investors, adopting international standards for tax accounting, and ensuring flexibility and fairness in taxation.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Tax Reform, Abdul Hussein Al-Anbaki, confirmed that tax revenues witnessed a cumulative increase of ab
out 29% during the past two years, with expectations of reaching 4 trillion dinars in the year 2025. He indicated that these figures do not include the revenues of oil companies that obtained an extension to complete their data, which reflects the success of the reforms taken to enhance tax performance and expand the collection base.
Al-Zawraa newspaper, published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, highlighted President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid’s assertion on the ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity of the people representing a source of strength, and his call for active participation in the upcoming elections. The Presidency of the Republic said in a statement that President Rashid inaugurated the Arab-Kurdish Cultural Center in Baghdad, in the presence of notable officials and cultural figures.
He emphasized that the opening of this center is not merely a cultural event but a step towards strengthening cultural relations and making the center a unifying home for cultural pioneers. He noted that the
stability of the state and the strength of its democratic system stem from the depth of culture in society and the historical cultural relationship between Arabs and Kurds.
The President highlighted that the national, religious, and cultural diversity of the people is a strength and an opportunity for dialogue, leading to a harmonious society. He called for active participation in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the importance of electoral justice and international observation to ensure integrity. He stated that the success of the electoral process and the peaceful transfer of power is a source of pride, deserving utmost efforts to ensure success.