The talking heads were pulled in two directions last night, as discussions of the state privatization program at the National Dialogue vied for airtime with Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia Al Sudani’s visit to Egypt.

National Dialogue participants took a look at the state’s privatization roadmap yesterday. Dialogue participant Hanan Wagdi went over the discussions of the state ownership policy — which aims to raise some USD 40 bn by 2026 and up private-sector participation in the economy— on Al Hayah Al Youm (watch, runtime: 6:52). Legislation regulating investment and the activity of companies looking to invest here needs to remain stable to create an attractive business climate, said Yasser Zaki, deputy chairman of the Senate’s financial and economic affairs committee(watch, runtime: 3:32). The dialogue sessions were also highlighted on Ala Mas’ouleety (watch, runtime: 14:55) and Masa’a DMC (watch, runtime: 5:25). We have more in What We’re Tracking Today, above.

Not enough lawmakers in the House? Most participants in the National Dialogue think we need more elected representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate, Dialogue Coordinator Diaa Rashwan told Al Hayah Al Youm (watch, runtime: 2:54).

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein talked about the role Egyptian companies play in the Iraqi economy, especially in construction, housing, and joint ventures in the energy and electricity industries, in an interview with Al Qaherah News (watch, runtime: 1:48 | 2:37 | 2:35). We have more on the Iraqi visit to Cairo and the 11 MoUs that were signed between the two countries in our Diplomacy section, below. Al Hayah Al Youm (watch, runtime: 6:19) and Ala Mas’ouleety (watch, runtime: 15:02) also had coverage.

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