Archive | Iraq Banking & Finance News

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

Iraq, China agreement to Combat Corruption, Recover Assets

By John Lee. Iraq's Integrity Commission and China's National Supervisory [Oversight] Commission have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in combating corruption, pursuing fugitives, and recovering assets. The agreement aims to align efforts with the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting transparency and clean governance. Iraq's Integrity Commission head, Judge Haider Hanoun, emphasized the […]

New Initiative to Improve Sustainable Financing in Iraq

By John Lee. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), has signed an agreement to develop environmental and social risk management guidelines for the banking sector, and launched a seven-year Sustainable Finance Roadmap and an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Code […]

Iraq Signs $290m Loan Agreement with Austrian Bank

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Finance, Taif Sami Mohammed, signed an agreement with the Austrian ambassador to Baghdad to secure a €262.16 million [$291 million] loan from Austria's Erste Group Bank. The loan will fund the development of pivot irrigation systems for the Ministry of Agriculture, with Austrian company Bauer leading the project's execution. […]

Iraq Warns Against Unlicensed Foreign Brokerage Firms

By John Lee. The Iraqi Securities Commission (ISC) has received reports that some electronic payment companies are collaborating with foreign brokerage firms to attract Iraqi investors and traders into trading foreign stocks outside Iraq's financial markets. It warns that these brokerage firms are unlicensed and unauthorized to conduct such activities. "We warn investors (individuals and […]

60-70 applications for Digital Banking Licences in Iraq

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) participated in the "Electronic Payments for Financial Stability" conference, hosted by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani and organized by the Iraqi Private Banks League (IPBL). The event focused on Iraq's digital transformation in the banking and financial sectors. Central Bank Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq highlighted the […]

Dutch Court Grants Enforcement of Award against Central Bank of Iraq

By John Lee. A court in the Netherlands has recognized and granted the enforcement of an arbitration award against the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)'s International Court of Arbitration in Paris granted the award in favour of Abu Dhabi-based Cardno ME (CME) on February 26, 2023. It required the […]

Iraq Maintains Stable Credit Rating

By John Lee. Standard & Poor's (S&P) has affirmed Iraq's credit rating at B-/B with a stable outlook. According to Iraq's Ministry of Finance, the report highlights Iraq's financial and economic stability, driven by ongoing economic and fiscal reforms implemented by the Ministry. It adds that the stable rating reflects Iraq's strong foreign currency reserves, […]

CBI discusses Financial Reforms in US

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) announced the outcomes of a high-level delegation visit to the United States, led by Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, from August 26 to 29, 2024. The delegation held extensive meetings in New York with the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and major financial institutions such as Visa, […]

Iraqi Cabinet Approves Austrian Irrigation Loan Agreement

By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has granted the Finance Minister the authority to sign a loan agreement with Austria's Erste Bank, secured by the Austrian Export Credit Agency (OeKB). The loan will finance an irrigation technology project under the Ministry of Agriculture, in accordance with the Federal Budget Law for the fiscal years 2023-2025. […]

Saudi Arabian approves MoU with Iraq on Money Laundering

By John Lee. The Saudi Arabian Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iraq aimed at tackling money laundering and terrorist financing. In a statement, the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that agreement involved, "exchanging financial investigations related to combating money laundering and terrorism financing between the Saudi General Directorate of Financial […]

Progress on Restructuring of Iraq's Rafidain Bank

By John Lee. The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, chaired a supervisory committee meeting on the restructuring of the state-owned Rafidain Bank. Attendees included committee members from the Ministry of Finance, advisors to the Prime Minister, senior Central Bank officials, and representatives from Ernst & Young. The meeting reviewed […]