By John Lee. Real GDP in Iraq is expected to increase by 1.2 percent this year, according to the World Bank's latest Global Economic Prospects report. This represents a significant reduction on the previous forecast of 3.5 percent growth, issued in January. The report says: "In non-GCC oil exporters, current account balances are expected to deteriorate, mainly […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi private sector confronts significant obstacles that must be addressed to unlock the country's economic potential, according to Professor Frank Gunter of Lehigh University, speaking at the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Spring Conference in London recently. Professor Gunter identified four critical challenges hampering private enterprise development in Iraq: Finance: Iraqi […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani has reaffirmed his government's commitment to upgrading Baghdad International Airport (BIAP), chairing a high-level meeting to advance a public-private partnership (PPP) project aimed at overhauling Iraq's main aviation hub. Attended by representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Prime Minister's advisors, and the Head of the […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Planning held a technical meeting in Baghdad on Tuesday with a delegation from the World Bank, led by Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs, Dr. Maher Hammad Johan, to discuss mechanisms for joint cooperation on funding proposals to support vital development projects in Iraq. The discussions focused on four sectoral […]
By John Lee. In a meeting held on Tuesday, Iraq's Minister of Finance, Taif Sami Mohammed, welcomed a delegation from the World Bank's Environment Section, led by Regional Director Ms. Maskeren Bahraini, to discuss closer collaboration on financial reform and sustainable environmental development. The talks covered key World Bank projects focused on environmental protection and […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has launched its first National Financial Inclusion Strategy, covering the period 2025-2029. The initiative provides an integrated framework aimed at enabling all individuals and businesses to access the financial sector and use appropriate, secure financial services with consumer protection guarantees. The strategy is expected to contribute […]
By John Lee. Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Allaq has reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions, during his participation in Iraq's first Conference on Carbon Economics. Speaking at the event, Al-Allaq highlighted Iraq's pressing environmental challenges, stating that the country has a unique opportunity to restore […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Industry and Minerals, Khaled Battal Al-Najm, met with a delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to discuss potential cooperation in the development of industrial cities and workforce capacity building in Iraq. The meeting included a presentation by the IFC on its […]
By John Lee. Iraqi Finance Minister, Mrs Taif Sami Mohammed, along with the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Dr Ali Al-Alaq, participated in the Annual Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), held in Washington from 20-23 April 2025. The discussions focused on global economic challenges, financial […]
By John Lee. The General Company for Iraqi Railways held a conference on Tuesday evening focused on the expansion and modernisation of Iraq's railway network. The event was attended by the company's Director-General, Dr. Maki Jabir Nasser, representatives from Italian consultancy firm BTP, and international specialised companies participating virtually. During the conference, Dr. Nasser, alongside […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani addressed the Conference on Reforming the Iraqi Banking Sector on Monday, outlining an ambitious agenda to modernise Iraq's financial infrastructure and promote sustainable economic development. Key initiatives and achievements highlighted in the Prime Minister's address include: Implementation of a three-year national budget, enabling long-term planning and strategic […]
By John Lee. An arbitration tribunal has been appointed in the case of Agility Public Warehousing Company K.S.C. v. Republic of Iraq (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/7). Its members are: Sarah Grimmer (New Zealand), President, appointed by agreement of the Parties; Stephen L. Drymer (Canadian), appointed by Claimant; and Dr. August Reinisch (Austrian), appointed by Respondent. […]
