By John Lee. Iraq's General Company for Building Materials Trading has launched a direct sales and instalment scheme under an initiative called "Al-Taaoun lil-Insha'iya" (Cooperation for Construction), allowing state employees and retirees to purchase building materials, furniture, and household electrical appliances on instalment terms of up to 15 months, with no guarantor or down payment […]
By John Lee. A strategic partnership between gini, Qi Card of Iraq, and Global X of the UAE has announced the integration of gini's network with Tradex, marking what it describes as the launch of the region's first fully integrated cross-border B2B digital trade platform. The announcement in Dubai was attended by partners including Mastercard, […]
By John Lee. The MENA Fintech Association (MFTA) has launched its Iraq Chapter, according to a report from Arqam. It says it has appointed Iraqi-Canadian entrepreneur Bahaa Abdul Hadi, co-founder of International Smart Card (ISC) and architect of Iraq's Qi Card biometric payment solution, as the Chairperson. "The future of Iraq is digital, and fintech […]
By John Lee. Qi (International Smart Card), Iraq's largest electronic payment platform, has announced that it has entered into a landmark partnership with K2 Integrity (K2i), a US-based global financial integrity and compliance advisory firm. The multi-year collaboration aims to align Iraq's financial infrastructure with international standards in anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing […]
By John Lee. Iraq's state-owned Al-Rafidain Bank has announced the launch of the second phase of its "Riyada" initiative [Iraqi Riyada Network for Access Development and Advancement, IRADA Network], following the success of the first phase, which it says funded over 8,000 productive projects with a total of more than 107 billion IQD [$82 million]. The […]
From Tajarib. Re-published with permission by Iraq Business News. QiCard Acquires Miswag The fintech conglomerate continues its series of investments with the acquisition of Iraq's largest e-commerce platform for an undisclosed seven-figure sum Tajarib has announced the International Smart Card Company's (better known as Qi or QiCard) seven-figure acquisition of Iraqi e-commerce giant Miswag. The […]
By John Lee. Qi Card has announced the inclusion of all holders of Rafidain Bank cards in the Western Union money transfer service. Director Ali Hussein Mun'im said the decision was made in order to serve a broader segment of the public. Qi Card was established in 2007 as a joint venture between the private […]
By John Lee. Samsung Electronics Middle East has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iraq's Qi Card. According to a press release from Samsung, the partnership "aims to provide advanced technological products and solutions to traders, citizens, and agents of both companies with attractive commercial offers throughout Iraq." It adds: "The two companies will […]
By John Lee. Iraqi telecom provider Asiacell, fintech Qi and platform Digital Zone have officially announced a strategic alliance. According to a statement from Asiacell, this integration will empower millions of Asiacell and Qi's shared customers to carry out purchases using their Qi payment cards seamlessly. This promises a smooth retail experience, fostering financial inclusion, […]
By Robert F. Worth for The Atlantic. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The Most Stinging Resignation Letter Ever Written When Iraq's finance minister stepped down last month, he didn't go quietly. Click here to read the full article.
By John Lee. Baghdad-based ed-tech platform Eduba has reportedly launched its ''Super App'' - the first EdTech super app in Iraq and MENA that offers multiple services. According to a report from Iraqi Innovators, the app has four components in their all-in-one learning management system, which includes interactive learning content, ride hailing, and payments. It […]
By T. Keyzom Ngodup, co-founder at Ideas sYnergy. Ideas sYnergy is Iraq’s first multiple bottom line advisory company committed to inclusive economic and social development through market-based solutions that help build and scale youth-driven innovative ideas for social change. The youth (ages 18 – 34) constitute over 50% of Iraq’s 32 million population, with over […]
