In Iraq, the parliament approved a 198.9 tln dinar (USD 153 bln) budget for 2023 to fund public wages and development projects. The budget aims to create numerous public sector jobs to improve services and reconstruct war-damaged infrastructure. However, the rising fiscal deficit, projected at a record 64.36 tln dinars (USD 49 bln), has raised concerns, with the IMF warning of increasing financial pressures unless oil prices significantly rise.