Archive | Iraq Banking & Finance News

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

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 […]

Stakeholders Discuss MSME Development Policy for Iraq

By John Lee. The International Labour Organization (ILO), Iraq's Ministry of Planning (MOP), and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) have held a two-day conference to discuss the national Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) development Policy for Iraq by bringing together government entities, international organizations, employer and worker groups, and financial institutions to […]

Etihad Credit Insurance signs Iraq Cooperation Agreement

By John Lee. Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE Federal export credit company, signed a cooperation agreement with the International Development Bank (IDB), the largest banking network in Iraq, to support the 'Xport Xponential' initiative. By signing the agreement, the bank will join the list of partners of the 'Xport Xponential' initiative, launched by ECI […]

Spain signs EUR 1bn Cooperation Agreement with Iraq

By John Lee. The Spanish Export Credit Agency (CESCE) has signed an agreement with Iraq's Sovereign Guarantees Committee to enhance cooperation between Spain and Iraq. The €1 billion agreement aims to facilitate Spanish companies in executing mutually agreed projects to support the development of Iraq's private industry under CESCE's coverage. The agreement underscores the commitment […]