The government completes the budget schedules amid a deficit that affects jobs and services in Iraq.
The government completes the budget schedules amid a deficit that affects jobs and services in Iraq.
2025-03-29 04:07
Shafaq News/ A government source reported on Saturday that the general budget schedules have been completed and will be submitted to the House of Representatives after the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The source indicated that it will be approximately $200 billion, with a large deficit that will reduce the operating budget and reduce service projects.
The source told Shafaq News Agency, “The general budget schedules have been completed in a preliminary form and may be transferred to the House of Representatives immediately after the Eid holiday. If this is not possible, it may arrive before the first half of next April so that the legality of its paragraphs can be discussed by the relevant committees in a manner consistent with government spending and the requirements of the stage.”
The source explained that “the total budget amounts will be around $200 billion, with a significant deficit due to the significant decline in strategic reserves of gold and hard currency, in addition to the lack of financial liquidity due to the many projects that require significant spending.”
The source indicated that “the operating budget will be reduced, and the pace of service projects launched by the government will be reduced. Consequently, we may witness an urgent budget, as the Independent High Electoral Commission is requesting its financial allocations by mid-April at the latest, to enable it to allocate its spending to prepare for the elections in October.”
Economic experts have warned of the impact of delaying the approval of the general budget on economic activity in Iraq, given that it represents a strategic plan for economic development, job creation, and financial stability. At the same time, they emphasized the importance of disbursing the budget, rather than approving it without funding, as occurred last year. This comes amid government assurances that the economic situation is “stable.”
The “triennial” federal budget was approved in 2023, for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025. However, Parliament must approve the budget schedules for each year, and the current year’s budget schedules are still with the government, which is currently amending them.
shafaq.com
