Iraqi cabinet authorizes electricity ministry to sign deal with GE

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi, approved authorizing the Ministry of Electricity to sign a production and transmission agreement with GE covering the country's energy supply and power sector. The decision was part of a broader cabinet session that reviewed domestic developments. The council approved closing the labor office within the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and transferring work permit processes for foreign labor to the National Investment Commission. It also directed that visa procedures be completed electronically. On anti-corruption measures, the cabinet endorsed implementing ministry performance evaluations, completing investigation commissions within 60 days and monitoring long-running cases. It also banned adding new components, phases or activities to approved projects, with any change requests to be reviewed by the Ministry of Planning. In the oil sector, the cabinet authorized the Basra and North Oil Companies to sign advance payment, crude oil supply and letter of guarantee agreements with U.S. firm Chevron. It also approved a principles agreement with a consortium of Capital TI, UCC and Chevron covering the Basra–Kirkuk–Ceyhan strategic export pipeline project.