Cabinet Approves Third-Round Exams for Failing Students and Implements Tax and Regulatory Amendments

The Cabinet held its regular session on Tuesday evening, chaired by Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaydi, during which it approved allowing failing students in final grades to take third-round exams upon payment of 25,000 dinars per subject. This decision includes sixth-grade primary students who failed the second round, third intermediate students, and sixth preparatory students across all branches, as well as external students and evening school attendees. The collected fees will be directed to the General Directorate of Evaluation and Examinations to cover exam costs and needs. The Cabinet also approved an amendment to a previous tax settlement decision, assigning the Ministry of Finance to waive 100% of additional amounts and late fines for private universities, colleges, and institutes if the principal tax is paid within six months from the decision date, and waive 50% if paid within the following six months. The council voted to amend import regulations for engine oils, facilitating the import of oils and lubricants through the Ministry of Oil's approval without requiring import licenses. Additionally, an activity was added to the General Company for Gas Filling and Services to include distributing petroleum products during crises and religious occasions to increase distribution outlets, according to the Public Companies Law. In environmental matters, the Cabinet approved the removal of a waste compactor illegally placed on land belonging to the Ministry of Health in the Karkh area of Baghdad due to lack of environmental approvals. On the international front, the Cabinet approved the draft law for Iraq's accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and referred it to the Parliament for legislation according to the constitution.