Iraq replaces nine grain board officials in reform push
Iraq’s acting trade minister replaced nine officials at the country’s powerful grain board in a bid to push through anti-corruption reforms ordered by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, a statement said on Monday. The ministry did not name the department and silo managers or accuse them of graft, but said the changes were made “to appoint […]Iraq’s acting trade minister replaced nine officials at the country’s powerful grain board in a bid to push through anti-corruption reforms ordered by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, a statement said on Monday.
The ministry did not name the department and silo managers or accuse them of graft, but said the changes were made “to appoint competent professionals ... and exclude elements that were not able to succeed in their past responsibilities.” The grain board is responsible for procuring grain internationally and from Iraqi farmers, making it one of the world’s biggest importers of wheat and rice. Any disarray there would raise concerns over the country’s ability to secure strategic commodities.
