Archive | 2025

CBI Issues Transport Tender for Mosul Branch Staff

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has announced public tender No. 2025/4 for the provision of transport services for staff of its Mosul branch. The contract covers the operation of 18 vehicles on internal and external transport routes, both within and outside the governorate, in line with the bank's standard non-consultancy services […]

Iraq to Fast-Track Renewable Energy Projects at Provincial Level

By John Lee. The Ministerial Council for the Economy has approved new measures to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy projects as part of the government's "smart and rapid solutions" programme for the electricity distribution sector. Under the decisions, provincial governors have been granted authority to refer investment projects linked to approved technical models for […]

Iraq's Inflation Rate Drops Sharply

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) reported that Iraq's inflation rate fell to -0.8 percent in the third quarter of 2025, down from 3.5 percent in the same period of 2024. The bank noted that this decline reflects a reduction in overall price levels and an improvement in purchasing power for individuals […]

Gov't Considers Integrated Hub for Business Services in Baghdad

By John Lee. Iraq's government has set out a series of investment-focused measures aimed at reshaping the country's business environment, following a high-level meeting between the Prime Minister's Adviser for International Investments and the Minister of Trade. The meeting was attended by members of the Iraqi-French Business Council, along with senior officials from the Ministry […]

Transport Minister pushes Progress at Nasiriyah Int'l Airport

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Sadaawi, has directed contractors to accelerate work on Nasiriyah International Airport as the project enters its final stages. During a meeting at the General Company for Air Navigation Services, attended by representatives of China's CSCEC (China State Construction Engineering Corporation), the implementing contractor, and senior Iraqi […]

EBRD makes $100m Investment in Iraq

By John Lee. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Developmen (EBRD) has launched its first-ever investment in Iraq, providing a US$100 million trade finance facility to the National Bank of Iraq (NBI), the country's largest private bank. The facility, extended under the EBRD's Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP), will support Iraq's import and export activity by enabling […]

Baghdad Airport Welcomes First European Flight in 35 Years

By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Transport has announced the arrival of the first European aircraft at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) in 35 years, marking a major milestone in the country's return to the European aviation network. The flight, operated by Aegean Airlines, Greece's national carrier, is running on the Baghdad-Athens-Baghdad route with two scheduled […]

Iraqi Central Bank Reduces Supply of Dinars

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) reported a 5.5 percent decline in currency issued during the third quarter of 2025, falling to 99,681 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $76.1 billion) from 104,127 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $79.5 billion) in the same period of 2024. The bank said that a reduction in currency in […]

Major Increase in Iraqi Gold Reserves

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) reported that the value of its gold reserves increased in the third quarter of 2025, rising to 27,552 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $21.0 billion), up from 16,817 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $12.8 billion) in the same quarter of 2024. This represents an increase of 64 percent. […]

Iraq Approves Austerity Measures

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired an extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Council for the Economy, approving a package of measures aimed at reducing government spending and increasing revenues. Decisions included an urgent review of salaries and allowances for the three presidencies, with instructions to equalise benefits at the Presidency and Parliament […]

CBI: Iraq to Develop Regulatory Framework for Virtual Assets

By John Lee. Iraq has taken initial steps towards establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual and digital assets, aligned with international best practices. The first meeting of the National High Committee for the Regulation of Virtual Assets was held in Baghdad at the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), bringing together senior representatives from regulatory, […]

Iraq, China Discuss Strategic Partnership

By John Lee. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Fuad Hussein met Mr. Jin Xin, Assistant Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee, in Baghdad to review bilateral relations and future cooperation. Mr Hussein described China as a pivotal strategic partner for Iraq, noting that bilateral trade stands […]