Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraqi politics news, keeping you up to date with the latest information and developments.
By Omar al-Jaffal for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi Banks undertake Overdue Reforms The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) announced in a statement Dec. 19 the devaluation of the Iraqi dinar to 1,450 to help reduce the […]
By John Lee. Iran will reportedly resume gas exports to Iraq on Wednesday, following a meeting in Baghdad on Tuesday between Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian and Iraqi officials. The supply was said to have been stopped due to Iraq's arrears of more than $6 billion, but a statement from the Iraqi government claimed the […]
By John Lee. The National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) has reportedly cut supplies of gas to Iraq due to Iraq's arrears of more than $6 billion. According to Reuters, Iran's Energy Minister is scheduled to visit Baghdad on Tuesday to discuss the matter. More here and here. (Sources: Shana, Reuters)
Wave of arrests of journalists covering protests in Iraqi Kurdistan Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns a wave of press freedom violations in northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, where at least 10 journalists have been arrested while covering peaceful protests during the past week, one has been placed in pre-trial detention and a regional TV channel, […]
From Rudaw. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Price hikes at Sulaimani market following dinar devaluation Traders in Sulaymaniya (Slemani) say the devaluation of the Iraqi dinar is driving up prices for local shoppers. Click here to read the full story. (Picture […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi cabinet has approved the draft budget for 2021. According to Reuters, the budget of 150 trillion Iraqi dinars ($103 billion) is based on an oil price of $42 per barrel, and will result in a deficit of 63 trillion dinars ($43 billion). Rudaw puts the deficit at 58 trillion dinar […]
By John Lee. Rudaw reports that hundreds of people protested in Baghdad's Tahrir Square demanding that the government reverse its decision to devalue of the Iraqi dinar against the US dollar. According to The Arab Weekly, the devaluation sparked panic across the country, as people rushed to buy dollars or stock up in supermarkets before […]
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi met on Thursday with a number of businessmen, investors and heads of Turkish companies, on the sidelines of his official visit to the Turkish capital, Ankara. Kadhimi discussed with businessmen and investors ways to facilitate investment procedures, lift obstacles and reduce bureaucratic procedures. He also listened to […]
A leaked draft of Iraq s state budget sent Iraqis into a panic on Thursday as it confirmed the government's intentions to devalue the national currency the Iraqi dinar [IQD], and cut salaries to cope with the impacts of a severe economic crisis. Click here to read the full story from The Independent. (Source: The […]
By Amberin Zaman for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq, Turkey agree to cooperate on counterterrorism, trade Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi committed to enhanced cooperation on terrorism, trade and energy, although […]
By John Lee. The Cabinet held its weekly meeting on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. Following discussions, the Cabinet decided to authorise the Minister of Planning to negotiate and sign a draft agreement on double taxation and tax evasion between Iraq and Turkey. (Source: Govt of Iraq)
By John Lee. Moody's Investors Service has said that Iraq's credit profile (issuer rating Caa1) "is supported by the country's 'ba2' economic strength ... its 'caa3' institutions and governance strength ... its 'ba3' fiscal strength ... and its 'caa' susceptibility to event risk". The company made the announcement on Monday following its periodic review of […]
