Archive | Iraq Banking & Finance News

Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraq banking & finance news, with information on developments and opportunities.

KRG PM Hosts Banking Leaders

By John Lee. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has held a meeting with a delegation from the banking sector, including Jordan Kuwait Bank and the Bank of Baghdad. According to a statement from the KRG, the meeting focused on potential collaborations and projects to enhance the banking infrastructure and spur economic […]

Central Bank discusses Increasing the Value of the Iraqi Dinar

By John Lee. On Thursday, Iraq's Finance Committee, chaired by Atwan Al-Atwani, convened with its members and the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Ali Al-Alaq, to discuss monetary policy, the banking system, and methods to increase the value of the Iraqi dinar. Al-Atwani stressed the importance of monitoring the economic file and […]

Tehran, Baghdad "Keen to Expand Banking Ties"

From Tasnim, under a Creative Commons licence. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The chairman of the Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce said banking officials from the two countries are keen to expand the monetary and banking relations. There is not any […]

Iraqi Islamic Bank (IIB) joins 'My Account' Initiative

By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced that the Iraqi Islamic Bank (IIB) has formally joined the 'My Account' financial inclusion initiative, alongside BBAC, Cihan, NBI and RT. In a statement on Tuesday, the KRG said it expects other major banks to join by the end of the month. It continues: "To […]

EBRD discusses Opportunities with Iraqi Chambers of Commerce

By John Lee. Earlier this week, Mr. Abdul Razzaq Al-Zuhairi, President of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce (FICC), received a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) at the Federation's headquarters. The delegation was led by Dr. Heike Harmgart, the EBRD's Managing Director for the Middle East, and included His […]

Int'l Finance Corp (IFC) ready to cooperate with Iraq

By John Lee. A delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), led by Ms. Hala Sheikh Rouh, Vice President of the IFC for the Middle East, was received by Prime Minister Mr. Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani on Tuesday. The meeting involved discussing areas and prospects of cooperation between Iraq and the IFC, which is part of […]

Iraq Makes Progress on e-Payments

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has reported an increase in foreign reserves to 148 trillion dinars [$113 billion] and deposits in the banking sector to 131 trillion dinars [$100 billion], which it says indicates a positive trend in monetary stability and financial growth. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), […]

Visa supporting Iraqi Govt's Plans for Electronic Payment

By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani received Mr. Andrew Torre, the Regional President of Visa for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, along with his accompanying delegation on Thursday. The Prime Minister emphasized that economic and banking reform is among the government's top priorities, welcoming cooperation in this field. […]

Iraq urges US to Reconsider Sanctions on Iraqi Banks

By John Lee. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has called on the US Treasury Department to reconsider its recent imposition of sanctions on Iraqi banks. During a phone call from the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Minister Hussein explained that these banks have, "an important and major role in financing ration card expenses and […]

Why Iraq's Dinar is Trading Below Official Rate

By Adam Lucente for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Why Iraq's dinar is trading below official dollar rate amid new restrictions A top US official visited Iraqi officials last week to discuss countering illicit finance and strengthening Iraq's […]

8 Iraqi Banks "Banned from Transacting in US Dollars"

By John Lee. Various media sources say that Iraq has banned eight local commercial banks from making transactions in U.S. dollars. This precludes these banks from taking part in the Central Bank's daily dollar auction. The banks are reported to be: Ashur International Bank for Investment; Investment Bank of Iraq; Union Bank of Iraq; Kurdistan […]