ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region announced on Wednesday that they have taken significant steps in combating corruption, while denouncing "some political parties" for creating obstacles in the way of the government's efforts to curb it.

“Some of the obstacles created for combating corruption and before the reform programs [of the KRG] have been interferences from some of the political parties. They have not helped curb corruption, but even systematically antagonized the government’s efforts,” PM Masrour Barzani said while announcing the launch of the First Report To Apply Strategic Procedures To Combat the Corruption in Kurdistan Region which was ratified by the KRG in September 2021.

“Despite all the problems, hindrances and problems,  we will steadfastly and with a strong will continue on our reform agendas,” PM Barzani said.

The report has been prepared in coordination between the KRG’s Council of Ministers and Integrity Commission of the Kurdistan Region. The report was in the making for a long time, containing a set of recommendations in order for the government to apply to fight corruption.

The premier said his government has already begun working on parts of the recommendations stipulated in the report including “digitizing the government affairs.”

“Undoubtedly, one of the key agendas of the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government was to combat corruption, and limit the waste of public resources. Therefore, we have done serious work and taken necessary measures to advance transparency and combat corruption,” said PM Barzani, adding to meet these goals, they have maintained “good relations and coordination with the integrity commissions as an independent institute."

The Kurdish prime minister detailed that another part of their efforts in fighting corruption is “reform in the banking system, helping link the government institutions and the private sector together through  an advanced and modern banking system.”

Since taking office as Prime Minister in mid 2019, PM Barzani has repeatedly pledged to tackle corruption, increase domestic revenues, and improve Erbil-Baghdad relations.

Wednesday’s event took place in the presence of the KRG judiciary chief, head of Iraq’s integrity commission, and EU ambassador to Iraq Thomas Seiler, along with several other key Iraqi and Kurdish officials. 

Iraq scores 154 out of 180 when it comes to countries' corruption rates, according to the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International.

Corruption rank in Iraq averaged 161.19 from 2003 until 2023, reaching an all-time high of 178.0 in 2007 and a record low of 113.00 in 2003.

Various sources indicate that the total embezzled funds in the country exceed $300 billion. However, in 2022, Iraqi state media reported the total to be $360 billion, while some members of the parliament estimated it at $450 billion.

In 2022, the Iraqi Tax Authority accused five private companies of embezzling over $2.5 billion from its funds, allegedly in collusion with several employees from the Ministry of Finance, dubbing it as the Heist of the Century.

The stolen funds were deducted from companies and individuals involved in government projects or imported goods, with a 10 percent payment of the total amount required upfront, which is refunded upon project completion.