Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraq banking & finance news, with information on developments and opportunities.
Like a replay of the Great Depression, a bank in Iraq went under in 2010, nearly taking millions of American dollars with it. According to a report from the Washington Times, Iraq's Al-Warka Bank was already having stability problems when the U.S. began to close all its accounts as part of the withdrawal of troops […]
By John Lee. The Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) is the latest bank to expand business in Iraq, according to a report from The National. Currently the only UAE lender to operate in Iraq, ADIB plans to open a branch in Basra before the end of the year after it opened a branch in Erbil […]
By John Lee. The Deputy Transport Minister, Bangen Rekani, has told Bloomberg that Iraq will seek $2 billion in financing to cover part of the cost of the 40 jets it has on order from Boeing. Iraq ordered 30 737-800s in 2008, followed by 10 787-8 long-haul Dreamliners in 2009, and a single 777 in 2012 -- […]
By John Lee. The Erbil Stock Exchange (ESX) is reportedly due to start operations in the fourth quarter of this year. Ahmed Abdul Rahim Abdullah, Director General of the stock market in Kurdistan, confirmed the schedule to Shafaq News. It is understood that some of the work is being carried out by Nasdaq. (Source: Shafaaq)
By John Lee. The delay in adopting Iraq's federal budget, in large part due to the dispute between Baghdad and the Kurdish Regional Government over oil exports and revenues, has reduced banking activity in the KRG by up to 25%, according to Adham Karim Darwesh. Darwesh, the manager of the Erbil branch of the Central Bank […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq has purchased 36 tonnes of gold valued at $1.6bn to help stabilise the Dinar against foreign currencies, Bloomberg reports. Iraq is now the 43rd largest holder of gold reserves globally, having already held 29.8 tonnes as of August last year, but the latest purchase is one of the biggest by […]
A delegation from the UK Export Finance Department visited the Kurdistan Department of Foreign Relations to discuss opportunities for building further relations with Kurdistan in various fields of infrastructure and investment. The UK delegation was led by Steve Dodgson, the Business Group Director of UK Export Finance and included the British Consul General, Hugh Evans […]
Gulf Keystone has announced that it has mandated Deutsche Bank and Pareto Securities to arrange a series of fixed income investor meetings in the US, Europe and Asia commencing 20 March 2014. A debt offering of up to US$250 million in accordance with Reg S/144A is expected to follow, subject to market conditions. On 13 […]
By John Lee. T Rowe Price has reportedly been selling some of its Iraqi government debt, in anticipation of renewed political turmoil in the country. Investment Week reports that the fund manager has been overweight in Iraq for several years, and at one time was the largest Iraqi debt holder. The company's emerging market debt […]
By John Lee. The Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) has announced plans to open a branch in Kurdistan this year. Abdul-Karim Bujeery, CEO of the bank, said: "The expansion in Kurdistan Region will be the next step to the bank , if the study of market [leads] to positive results." The bank hsa appointed […]
This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Baghdad's Financial Blockade: Iraqi Kurdistan Talks Independence While Locals Strike Conflict between Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan over oil exports has resulted in something of a financial crisis in the northern region. […]
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani welcomed the British international bank Standard Chartered to Kurdistan on Monday at the inauguration ceremony of its Erbil branch. Mr. Barzani outlined the need for an improved banking sector in Kurdistan. He said, “I believe the time has come for us to seriously examine international financial practices […]
