World Bank delegation to visit Baghdad next week for program budget work

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A World Bank delegation will arrive in Baghdad next week to work with Iraq's Ministry of Finance on completing the requirements for preparing a program budget, Iraqi government spokesperson Haydar al-Abboudi said. Al-Abboudi said Prime Minister Ali Fallah al-Zaydi has kept the economic file among the government's top priorities. He added that the program budget is being designed to respond to current and future economic challenges, and that the cabinet, which has secured a vote of confidence from parliament, aims to strengthen state institutions. The government also intends to support the Financial and Economic Council to establish a sustainable fiscal and economic structure, according to the spokesperson. The visiting delegation is expected to work on constitutional and evidence-based reforms covering sectors including industry, agriculture and education. In previous years, Iraq's economy has faced oil price volatility, expanding current expenditures and employment pressures. No further details on the delegation's agenda or schedule were immediately available.