Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraq banking & finance news, with information on developments and opportunities.
By John Lee. A report by the Future Iraq Institute for Economic Studies and Consultations reportedly highlights significant fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Iraqi Dinar (IQD) against the US Dollar on the parallel market over the past two decades, driven by a mix of seasonal, political, and macroeconomic factors. Key factors cited in […]
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Monday of the High Committee tasked with reassessing and restructuring the boards of directors of state-owned banks and the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). The committee approved several recommendations focused on evaluating board performance as part of a broader programme of banking […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has launched its first National Financial Inclusion Strategy, covering the period 2025-2029. The initiative provides an integrated framework aimed at enabling all individuals and businesses to access the financial sector and use appropriate, secure financial services with consumer protection guarantees. The strategy is expected to contribute […]
By John Lee. Wayl, the payments platform for online sellers in Iraq, has secured USD 150,000 in pre-seed financing from EQIQ Ventures, a venture-capital fund led by Mohamed Al-Hakim. Wayl plans to use the capital to expand its digital-payments solution for social-media merchants and freelance workers, addressing a market where an estimated 97 percent of […]
By John Lee. The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), conducted a five-day training workshop in Erbil to equip Iraqi financial institutions with the expertise required to develop green microfinance products supporting sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises. Participants […]
By John Lee. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is set to commence operations in Iraq this September, following the country's accession to the European Union Bank. Ali Mohsen Al-Allaq, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), received an EBRD delegation in Baghdad to discuss the final steps required before operations begin. […]
By John Lee. Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Allaq has reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions, during his participation in Iraq's first Conference on Carbon Economics. Speaking at the event, Al-Allaq highlighted Iraq's pressing environmental challenges, stating that the country has a unique opportunity to restore […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Finance has commissioned global consultancy firm Ernst & Young (EY) to evaluate the performance of state-owned insurance companies affiliated with the Ministry. Finance Minister Taif Sami (pictured) said in a statement to the state-owned Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the move aligns with directives from the Council of Ministers […]
From Rudaw. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. 90 percent of Iraq's money supply held outside banks: PM advisor Nearly 90 percent of Iraq's money supply is held outside the formal banking sector, largely hoarded in homes, a senior financial advisor to […]
By John Lee. Iraq's state-owned Al-Rafidain Bank has announced the launch of the second phase of its "Riyada" initiative [Iraqi Riyada Network for Access Development and Advancement, IRADA Network], following the success of the first phase, which it says funded over 8,000 productive projects with a total of more than 107 billion IQD [$82 million]. The […]
By John Lee. Ashur International Bank has joined the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC). According to a statement from the IBBC, the move follows a long relationship between the Council and the bank's CEO, Mohammed Al-Delaimy. It says the bank, established in 2005 is one of the leading private banks in Iraq, offering comprehensive banking […]
By John Lee. The Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) has been awarded the "STP Excellence in Payments and Transfers" award from JP Morgan, recognizing the bank's commitment to efficient and sustainable direct payment practices. According to a statement from TBI, the award highlights its high efficiency in processing financial transactions, particularly in direct financial transfers […]
