Dear officials concerned with financial

• 2022/12/13
• Mostafa Ali Fikiki

Dear officials concerned with financial and economic affairs in Iraq... Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished representatives... Today you are facing the test and the most difficult period since 2003. This is the last chance. Either achievement or descent into a future with uncertain consequences. We were waiting for the new government to present in its program plans for advancement and addressing the dire reality with clear definitions and goals on the near and long-term levels, but like its predecessors, it was formed without clear planning. Landmarks, with only the tips of pens and a media policy and nothing more, and we have not seen anything on the ground so far. It has also used, like its predecessors, the policy of changing and rotating faces and nothing more. It has also used populist pressure tools that harmonize the minds of simple citizens dreaming of a better future, which is represented by the general budget and making voting possible. It has to be accomplished, and their illusion of changing the exchange rate, which we know very well that there is no change in it and that those voting for it are the same current members of Parliament, was nothing more than a media marketing tool. You must understand an important main issue (20 years after you assumed the leadership) which is that the problem of the economy and economic growth is not whether there is a budget or not, and the rise in the exchange rate is not the main reason for the deterioration of the economic situation and its reaching the current level. Indeed, there are problems that have accumulated over two decades that have led to us reaching this situation, and one of the most important main reasons is the lack of prior planning (long-term plans supported by short-term plans) to set gaps and goals. In this regard, we believe that it is necessary to inform you of many indicators that It warns of the coming great danger and within a short period of time: 1- The population of Iraq has reached 41.8 million people, according to statistics from the Central Bureau of Statistics, and it is expected to reach 45 million people within three years, with a growth rate of 2.5% annually. These people will need services, educational opportunities, health centers, job opportunities, and suitable housing. 2- The banking sector is dilapidated and defunct, and its role is absent in achieving development despite the large number of banks. So what are you doing and what are your future plans to advance this important economic sector? . 3- The complete absence of electronic governance, and we have reached the year 2022, the era of fifth generation services. 4- The level of class disparity has reached high levels that warn of a great security and social danger 5- Unemployment rates have risen alarmingly in recent years, reaching more than 20%. 6- It is expected that more than 400,000 foreign students will graduate this year. They will need job opportunities and projects to accommodate them. Will we continue with the government contracting and employment policy, or are there plans to attract investors and activate industry and agriculture? 7- The role of the private sector stopped or declined as a result of the lack of government support and the absence of laws supporting Iraqi investors, industrialists, and farmers. 8- The level of internal public debt is $50 billion. How will it be settled? 9- We will enter the year 2023 and oil still constitutes 94% of the volume of gross neutral product, while all other economic sectors combine for the remaining percentage. So what if the price of oil returns to decline again as it happened in 2020? What are the alternatives? 10- The current level of inflation portends a great danger that you must confront with sound financial policies and clear plans and goals. 11- Combating corruption is an important necessity, and it is even more important, provided that it is implemented on everyone without targeting specific formations or groups and turning a blind eye to the rest, and that the role of the Financial Supervision Bureau is activated and that its employees are granted immunity and protected. 12- At the level of services in general, over the past 20 years of our life, we have not witnessed the creation of a single bridge referred to as Lebanon, nor have we witnessed a reconstruction campaign. Rather, we have not witnessed any development or rehabilitation. 20 years and electricity has not solved its dilemma. For 20 years, not a single modern sewage network has been implemented. 20 years, and many social and economic problems and other dilemmas have accumulated without significant solutions. In the end, I say that 20 years ago were bad in every sense of the word, and we suffered enough misfortunes during them, but now is the time for achievement and implementation, and this is the last opportunity. With proper planning, nations are built. We will support what is right and criticize what is bad, hoping for a better tomorrow.