Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraq banking & finance news, with information on developments and opportunities.
By John Lee. Norwegian biometric authentication firm Zwipe and International Network for Cards and Digital Payment Services (INC) have announced that they will pilot Biometric Payment Cards in Iraq. According to a press release from Zwipe, this will be the first biometric payment card pilot in the country, and INC will be offering issuance of white […]
By John Lee. The Ministry of Finance has directed the Public Debt Department, in cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) to launch a second issue of construction bonds, which will be tradable on the stock market. The bonds, also know as a "binaa bonds", will be available for trading for a period of […]
Sustainable Living in Iraq: A Milestone 1,000 SMEs Financed Through IOM's Enterprise Development Fund At the conclusion of Iraq's devastating conflict with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), small and medium enterprises (SMEs) found themselves without access to the finance necessary to rebuild in the wake of the war's large-scale destruction. In […]
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 12th December, to enhance cooperation on banking supervision matters. The MoU covers three main areas, including control and supervisory issues, the exchange of supervisory information, and strengthening bilateral co-operation on training workers and […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet (pictured) has authorised the Minister of Finance to borrow $76 million from the state-owned Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) to finance the Great Samawa Water Project. (Source: General Secretariat for the Council of Ministers)
The Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) has re-joined the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC). TBI were original founding members of IBBC and we are delighted to say they are now back in full participation mode, with President Dr Salem Chalabi taking a lead role at the recent IBBC Autumn conference Dubai. At the conference Dr […]
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masrour Barzani, on Saturday met Baroness Emma Nicholson, President of the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC). Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the reforms of the ninth cabinet, its bid to diversify the economy and crucially to make the Kurdistan Region a focal point for business. Baroness Nicholson […]
By John Lee. Iraq has successfully completed the sale of a 1-trillion-dinar (£685-million) construction bond issuance, also know as a "binaa bond". The Ministry of Finance issued the bonds for sale on the local financial market at the start of October, in two categories: IQD500,000 bonds with annual interest of 6 percent for two years; […]
From the World Bank: Economic growth is gradually recovering following last year's pandemic-related contraction, partly due to higher non-oil activity. Improved global oil market conditions are expected to reinforce growth in the medium term and turn the fiscal and external balances to surpluses from 2021, and to reverse the recent surge in debt. Latest Developments: […]
By John Lee. The Saudi Export-Import Bank (SaudiExIm) has reportedly signed an agreement with the National Bank of Iraq (NBI) to assist exporters of Saudi-sourced services and products supplying Iraq. According to AsumeTech, the deal is valued at $25 million. More here. (Source: AsumeTech)
By Mohammed Koperly (LLB, PstgD, MCIArb), for Al Nesoor Law. One of the most significant worldwide developments during Covid-19 was the increase in consumer engagement in financial markets, many for the first time especially in Iraq. The coronavirus outbreak has acted as a catalyst for a digital revolution facilitated by financial technology (fintech). As Iraq […]
By John Lee. An Iraqi economist has said that re-valuing the Iraqi Dinar could be considered if certain conditions were met. Dhurgham Mohamed Ali is quoted by Shafaq News as saying: "The exchange rate of the dollar should be gradually reduced to 1,300 dinars [from the current 1,460 dinars] while keeping an eye on the […]
