Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Saturday Afternoon 12-6-25
The Central Bank: These Are The Circumstances Surrounding The Decision To Freeze The Funds Of International Entities And Parties... And We Have Directed That Some Of Its Provisions Be Amended.
Thursday, December 4, 2025, 13:53 | Economy Number of views: 267 Baghdad / NINA / The Central Bank of Iraq has settled the controversy surrounding the decision to freeze the funds and movable and immovable assets of a number of international parties and entities. The bank's administration directed, on Thursday, that some paragraphs of the decision be amended.
The Central Bank's Committee for Freezing Terrorist Funds released the text of its Decision No. 61 of 2025, published in the Iraqi Gazette, Issue No. 4848, on November 17, 2025. The decision freezes the funds and assets of a list of entities and individuals linked to the terrorist organizations ISIS and al-Qaeda, based on a request from Malaysia and pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1373 of 2001.
In an official statement, the committee clarified that "this list included references to a number of parties and entities that are not linked to any terrorist activities with the aforementioned organizations. The Iraqi side's approval was limited to the inclusion of entities and individuals linked exclusively to ISIS and al-Qaeda."
She indicated that "the inclusion of the other entities' names was due to the list being published before revision, and what was published in the Iraqi Gazette will be corrected by removing those entities and parties from the list of entities linked to the ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorist organizations." https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1265164
The Controversy Continues Despite The Government's Assurance That It Has Rectified The Error Of Freezing The Funds Of Two Entities.
December 5, 2025 Baghdad - Al-Zaman Vehicles carrying resistance flags toured the streets of Baghdad and the provinces in response to the error that accompanied the decision of the Committee for Freezing Terrorist Funds published in the Iraqi Gazette, which included the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Houthi group on the list of terrorist entities, and sparked a wide wave of controversy, despite the directive of the caretaker Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, to open an urgent investigation to determine responsibilities, hold those responsible accountable, and correct the error contained in the decision.
A statement received by Al-Zaman yesterday said that “Al-Sudani ordered an urgent investigation and accountability for those responsible for the error that accompanied the decision of the Committee for Freezing Terrorist Funds, which was published in the Iraqi Gazette and included entities unrelated to ISIS and al-Qaeda on the list.
The government considered this an inaccurate reflection of Iraq’s political and humanitarian stance.” The statement added that “Iraq’s approval was limited to names and entities exclusively linked to the two terrorist organizations, and anything else was the result of an unrevised publication that will be corrected immediately.”
It further noted that “Iraq’s positions on the issues of the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples are firm and principled and not subject to political maneuvering, and no one can question Baghdad’s support for the right of peoples to liberation and to confront occupation, aggression, and genocide.”
For its part, the Presidency of the Republic denied any knowledge of or approval of any decision related to classifying Hezbollah or Ansar Allah as terrorist groups.
A statement issued yesterday confirmed that "this type of decision is not sent to the Presidency of the Republic, as it falls outside its jurisdiction. Its role is limited to ratifying laws and legislation issued by the Council of Representatives, and it learned of the decision only through social media."
For its part, the Committee for Freezing Terrorist Funds at the Central Bank clarified in a statement yesterday that "the published list included parties and entities not covered by Security Council Resolution 1373, and their inclusion resulted from a publication error prior to revision."
The statement added that "the Iraqi side agreed exclusively to the inclusion of those affiliated with ISIS and al-Qaeda, and the correction will be officially published in the Iraqi Gazette." Meanwhile, former MP Raed al-Maliki revealed documented details concerning the decision of the Committee for Freezing Terrorist Funds.
Al-Maliki wrote a post on his Facebook account yesterday stating that "after investigation, it became clear and documented that the decision of the Committee for Freezing Terrorist Funds was made on October 12th and circulated to all ministries and governorates by way of a letter from the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers."
He continued, "The decision concerned freezing the funds of 76 individuals and 24 Malaysian entities. The list of entities included Hezbollah and the Houthis. The same decision, which was circulated to the ministries and governorates, included a request to the Iraqi Gazette to publish it in the Official Gazette."
The Official Gazette had published, in its issue number 4848, the committee's decision to freeze the assets of 24 entities, including items that referred to Hezbollah and Ansar Allah as terrorist organizations, before it became clear that this designation did not have the government's approval and did not align with Baghdad's declared political position.
The committee, formed within the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, is chaired by the Governor of the Central Bank, with the Director of Anti-Money Laundering serving as his deputy.
It also includes representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Trade, Communications, Science and Technology, the Integrity Commission, and the Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Services. Videos circulating on social media showed vehicles carrying resistance flags in response to its inclusion on the list of terrorist entities, despite the government's assertion that this was a mistake and an oversight.Meanwhile, al-Sudani approved the final findings of the investigation into the attack on the Kormor oil field.
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu'man, said in a statement yesterday that "the attack was carried out by two drones, launched from areas east of Tuz Khurmatu," noting that "the drone wreckage has been secured and the names of the perpetrators, who belong to outlaw groups, have been determined."
He confirmed that "al-Sudani approved the committee's recommendations, which included redeploying security forces east of Salah al-Din, strengthening intelligence coordination, changing some commanders, equipping the field with air defense systems, restricting the use of drones, and requesting the judiciary to form a joint committee to follow up on the case." LINK
https://www.azzaman.com/%d8%a5%d8%b3%d8%aa%d9%85%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d8%af%d9%84-%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%ba%d9%85-%d8%aa%d8%a3%d9%83%d9%8a%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ad%d9%83%d9%88%d9%85%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%b5%d9%88%d9%8a/
International Union: Iraq Has Made A Significant Leap In The Speed Of International Land Trade.
Baratha News Agency2082025-12-05 The International Road Transport Union (IRU) confirmed on Friday that Iraq has made a significant leap in transit speed through the TIR system for international trade. A report issued by the IRU stated that "Iraq has become a growing strategic transit hub after successfully reducing the transit time for film equipment from Hungary to Jordan from five weeks to just six days, taking advantage of the Iraqi international road that was recently reopened for commercial transport within the international customs transit system TIR."
He added that "the operation proved that the Iraqi route has become a new route that the world has begun to discover, after it contributed to facilitating the passage of the heavy European shipment at an unprecedented speed towards Jordan, where the equipment will be used in the production of a film that introduces the history of Jordan and its heritage landmarks."
The report also noted that "this achievement reflects the growing role of Iraq as a vital link connecting Europe with the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries, especially with the increasing reliance on the TIR system, which contributes to accelerating transit procedures and reducing stops at borders, thus enhancing the capabilities of supply chains in the region."
The report also indicated that “the digital expansion of the TIR system and the activation of international transit routes through Iraq will enhance the country’s position on the global trade map and will encourage the private sector to use the Iraqi route because of the time and cost savings it offers.”
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Transport had previously announced the implementation of the second international trip within the International Land Transport System (TIR) through Iraqi territory, on the route of the Ibrahim Al-Khalil border crossing in Dohuk - the northern Umm Qasr port in Basra, while government statistics indicate that 1,000 land transport operations have been recorded on this route since last June.
https://burathanews.com/arabic/economic/468565
Sudani Praises Ministries After The Growth Of Iraq's International Trade And Affirms The Continuation Of Major Strategic Projects
Localities Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed on Friday that the growth in land transport activity demonstrates Iraq's commitment to modernizing its trade sector. He also stressed the need for government departments and institutions to proceed with modernization, automation, and digital technology projects.
Al-Sudani's office stated in a press release that he "commended the performance of government agencies and relevant ministries, following the significant growth in international land trade transiting Iraqi territory, as confirmed by the International Road Transport Union (IRU)."
He noted that "the growth in regional and international trade, transport, and exchange via the Iraqi road network is evidence of Iraq's commitment to modernizing its trade sector and adopting international best practices."
He emphasized "the continuation of major strategic projects, most notably the Development Road, and the increasing benefits derived from adopting the international customs transit system (TIR), as well as activating the Border Ports Authority's required systems and facilities in partnership with the IRU."
In his directives, the Prime Minister stressed “the need for the departments and institutions concerned with modernization, automation and the use of digital technology to proceed, so that Iraq can play its full vital and central role in global trade, in a way that benefits local development, creates job opportunities and maximizes the non-oil economy.” https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=63080
Oil Prices Hold Onto Gains As Peace Talks In Ukraine Are Awaited
Economy | 09:02 - 05/12/2025 Mawazin News -Oil prices held onto their gains for the second consecutive day as investors monitored developments in the Ukraine ceasefire talks, amid signs of a widening supply glut in the market.
Brent crude traded above $63 a barrel after rising 0.9% in the previous session, while West Texas Intermediate crude approached $60.
Ukrainian negotiators are preparing for a new round of talks in Florida, while Russian President Vladimir Putin said some points in a US-backed peace plan are "unacceptable" to him.
Markets are watching for any potential progress on an agreement, which could lead to the lifting of sanctions on Russia and an increase in oil exports, although reaching a formal agreement seems a long way off. Meanwhile, additional supply could put downward pressure on prices, which are already facing significant annual losses due to the oversupply.
https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=271181
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