By John Lee. A new report from the International Monetary Fund says that Iraq's economy is expected to shrink by 2.7 percent this year as a result of the security crisis in the country. This follows a 4.2 percent growth in GDP in 2013 and 10.3 percent the previous year, and would be the first […]
Tag Archives | International Monetary Fund
GDP to Shrink this year, then Recover
By John Lee. A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that the Iraqi economy will contract this year due to continuing war against the Islamic State. In its October World Economic Outlook, it says that Iraq's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to shrink by 2.66 percent this year, down from […]
Iraq Cuts Gold Holdings by a Quarter
By John Lee. Reuters reports that Iraq cut its gold holdings by a quarter in November. Data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) showed that the country's stocks fell to 29.9 tonnes. (Source: Reuters)
Iraq Boosts Gold Reserves
By John Lee. Iraq made its first major move in years to boost its gold reserves, joining central banks from emerging market economies such as Brazil and Russia in diversifying its foreign reserves. According to a report from the Lebanese Daily Star, central bank purchases have been one of the biggest drivers of gold's rally […]
IMF Approves 7-Mth Extension of Stand-By Arrangement
By John Lee. The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a seven-month extension of Iraq’s Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), to February 23, 2013. The SBA had been scheduled to expire on July 23, 2012. The extension, which had been requested by the Iraqi authorities, will provide them with time to implement the […]
IMF Forecasts Accelerating Growth for Iraqi Economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest World Economic Outlook, makes the following forecasts for Iraq: The report sees strong growth continuing, with a figure of 8.8% projected for 2017.
Statement by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Iraq
Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement after a meeting with H.E. Nouri Al-Maliki, Prime Minister of Iraq in Washington on Tuesday: It was a pleasure to meet Prime Minister Al-Maliki today. Over the past several years, Iraq and the International Monetary Fund have engaged in a […]
IMF to Fund Baghdad-Turkey Highway
The Ministry of Construction and Housing is to build a highway linking Baghdad with Turkey, according to a report from Azzaman. The 508 km road is to be financed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “This project is a challenge to the ministry since it assumes great economic significance for the country,” the ministry quoted […]
IMF Suggests Stable Iraqi Dinar
A report on Monday by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggests that the Iraqi dinar is currently fairly valued at 1170 dinars to the US dollar: "The CBI [Central Bank of Iraq] will continue to aim at keeping inflation low, predominantly by maintaining a stable exchange rate. The low level and the relative stability of […]
IMF Approves $471 Million Payment to Iraq
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the second review of Iraq’s economic performance under a program supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) on Friday. Completion of the second review makes an additional SDR 297.1 million (about US$471.1 million) available for disbursement, bringing the total resources currently purchased by Iraq under the […]
IMF Dissatisfied with Iraq’s Monetary Policy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cited Iraq’s monetary policy as the reason for turning down an Iraqi request for a loan package to reduce its 2011 budget deficit, an advisor to the Iraqi government said on Sunday. AKnews reports that despite the IMF’s rejection, talks between Iraq and the fund continue. “The IMF… is […]
IMF Calls for Iraq to Clear its Debts
An adviser to the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) said on Wednesday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has renewed its call for Iraq to clear its outstanding debts. Nathhar Mohammed Saleh told AKnews that the IMF called on the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank to develop feasible solutions to its external debts. […]