Iraq lost $25 billion via non-cash international transactions outside Iraq in 2020, MP Arshad al-Salehi, said on Wednesday.
A statement issued by al-Salehi said, “the data disclosed by the Ministry of Planning are shocking. External transfers sought for imports amounted to $40 billion, while the goods delivered are valued at $15 billion only.”
“This means that fate $25 billion must be uncovered to the public opinion immediately without any hesitation,” he added, “Securing the rights of the citizens and identifying corruption is a responsibility of the Iraqi Government.”
On August 1, the Iraqi Ministry of Planning said that Iraq’s imports in 2020 ($15.4 billion) had declined drastically, compared to 2019 ($29.9 billion).