Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraq banking & finance news, with information on developments and opportunities.
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has decided to establish the "National Company for Electronic Payment Systems in Iraq," marking a qualitative development in the country's financial infrastructure. The new company will be responsible for efficiently developing, operating, and managing national electronic payment and settlement systems, introducing new elements to enhance the […]
By John Lee. Judge Haider Hanoun, the head of Iraq's Integrity Commission, has met with an American delegation to explore the possibility of a memorandum of understanding between Iraq's Asset Recovery Fund and the US Treasury. The meeting, held at the US Treasury headquarters, aimed to address Iraq's need for assistance in determining the fate […]
By John Lee. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Gulf Commercial Bank (GCB)'s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of 'CCC+', and Viability Rating (VR) at 'ccc+'. It says the rating, "reflects a weak operating environment, the bank's weak franchise and volatile business model, high risk appetite, including still high related-party lending, and weak asset quality and profitability." […]
By John Lee. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Iraq's Sumer Commercial Bank PSC's (SCB) Long- and Short-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'RD' (Restricted Default) and Viability Rating (VR) at 'f'. Fitch has also withdrawn the bank's ratings. It says that, before the rating withdrawal, SCB's IDRs reflected the Central Bank of Iraq's (CBI) intervention, which […]
By John Lee. UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK's export credit agency, has announced that it has secured £226 million [$285 million] in financing for the Iraqi government to develop over 350 kilometers of drainage infrastructure as well as 15 kilometers of stormwater and wastewater lifting stations near Hillah city. Upon completion, the project is […]
By John Lee. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Iraq's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'B-' with a Stable Outlook. More details here. (Source: Fitch Ratings)
By John Lee. Standard Chartered Iraq has reportedly named Jamil Choucair as its new CEO. According to The Banker, Mr Choucair has held numerous banking positions in the past, and was previously the general manager and country head of Audi Bank Iraq. More here. (Source: The Banker)
By John Lee. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq has launched a new Financial Investigations Handbook, which it describes as a practical guide for conducting parallel, integrated financial investigations, for use by investigative judges and institutions who are responsible for conducting criminal investigations. Full statement from UNDP: This week, Iraq took a significant […]
By John Lee. As part of financial and economic reforms, the Iraqi Cabinet has endorsed recommendations to conduct all state contracts within Iraq in Iraqi dinars. There will be exceptions for ongoing external grants, loans, and agreements, and new contracts involving foreign grants, loans, and agreements may adhere to agreed-upon foreign currency terms, as specified […]
By John Lee. Germany's Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) (German Agency for International Cooperation) has joined forces with the Iraqi Private Banks League (IPBL) to work on more inclusive financial services. "Together, we can harness the unique strengths from both the private sector and the public sector and make a significant contribution to financial inclusion […]
The ILO, the Central Bank of Iraq and partners celebrate success of the financial Inclusion Initiative for MSMEs under the PROSPECTS Programme [EN/AR] Hundreds of loans have been disbursed to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing MSMEs through the project, contributing to the creation and retention of more than 1,200 job opportunities for Iraqi host communities and […]
By John Lee. Iraq has become the latest member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The bank recently approved amendments to its statutes to enable the limited and incremental expansion of its operations to Iraq. Full statement from EBRD: Iraq has become the latest member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and […]
