The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Council of Ministers convened its weekly meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. The session addressed non-oil revenues, the resumption of oil exports, pensions for Peshmerga forces, and loan relief measures for citizens.

At the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Barzani extended condolences on behalf of the Cabinet to the family and colleagues of Saad Khalid, former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, who passed away earlier in the day following a health complication.

The Cabinet emphasized that the Region’s proposal for classifying and sharing non-oil revenues with the federal government is grounded in the Federal Public Financial Management Law (2019), the Federal Budget Law (2023), and the Federal Supreme Court’s rulings. It urged Baghdad to adopt this legal framework to avoid delays in the payment of salaries and entitlements to Kurdistan citizens.

On oil exports, Acting Minister of Natural Resources Kamal Mohammed Saleh presented steps taken to facilitate resumption of exports through Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). The Cabinet instructed the ministry to intensify efforts with the federal authorities and international companies to resolve outstanding issues and expedite exports, with revenues deposited into the federal treasury.

Minister of Peshmerga Affairs Shorsh Ismail and senior officials presented proposals for implementing the Peshmerga Service and Retirement Law (2007). The Cabinet reiterated its commitment to improving pensions and financial entitlements for Peshmerga veterans, directing the Ministry of Finance and Economy to coordinate with the Federal National Pension Authority to ensure the best possible pension scheme. The Council also ordered the swift disbursement of Peshmerga pensions.

Minister of Finance and Economy Awat Sheikh Janab proposed measures to ease the burden on citizens who had taken loans and advances in recent years across sectors such as real estate, agriculture, industry, housing, and tourism. After deliberations, the Cabinet approved a 15% reduction in the principal amounts owed, alongside a full exemption from interest and late penalties. The decision will remain valid until December 31, 2025, with the ministry tasked to issue detailed implementation guidelines.