Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Morning 2-26-26
The International Monetary Fund Approves The Disbursement Of $2.3 Billion To An Arab Country.
Money and Business Economy News — Follow-up The International Monetary Fund has approved the fifth and sixth reviews of Egypt’s Extended Fund Facility arrangement and the first review of its Resilience and Strength Program, making available $2.3 billion in financing, according to a statement issued by the Fund.
The IMF also approved a two-month extension of the Extended Fund Facility program, to end in December 2026, after it was originally scheduled to last 46 months starting in December 2022.
The IMF said in the statement that the macroeconomic situation in Egypt has improved under continued efforts to achieve stability; tight monetary and fiscal policies, along with a flexible exchange rate, have contributed to restoring macroeconomic stability, reducing inflation rates, and strengthening the external position.
He noted that, in contrast, progress in implementing deeper structural reforms has been uneven, and accelerating the pace of implementation – particularly reducing the state’s economic footprint and leveling the playing field – remains crucial to ensuring sustainable and inclusive private sector-led growth.
The Fund reviewed the most prominent indicators of economic improvement, most notably the rise in economic growth to 4.4% in the last fiscal year, and the decline in inflation to 11.9% in January, supported by monetary and fiscal tightening policies.
Current Account Deficit Narrowing
He noted that the current account deficit had narrowed to 4.2% of GDP, driven by strong remittances from workers abroad and tourism revenues.
He added that market confidence in the Egyptian economy has improved significantly, as evidenced by the country's ability to issue debt instruments in global markets, along with increased foreign direct investment flows and short-term capital inflows.
The statement noted that the flexibility of the exchange rate led to an increase in total international reserves from $54.9 billion in December 2024 to about $59.2 billion by the end of December 2025.
Implementing two key reform measures
He said that financial performance had improved, supported by higher tax revenues, despite a decline in public investments.
He added that the initial surplus was less than the target set in the program, due to the failure to achieve the planned exit returns.
He noted that the implementation of resilience reforms is progressing at a good pace, and that the authorities have implemented two key reform measures, including the publication of a timetable for implementing renewable energy targets, and the issuance of a directive obliging banks to monitor and disclose their exposure to climate change risks.
https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=66097
Slight Increase In Exchange Rates In Iraqi Markets
Money and Business Economy News – Baghdad The exchange rate of the US dollar witnessed a slight increase in the markets of the capital, Baghdad, on Thursday morning.
The exchange rate of the dollar in the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges in Baghdad was recorded at 153,800 Iraqi dinars for every 100 dollars, compared to 153,750 dinars yesterday.
In currency exchange shops in Baghdad's local markets, the selling price stabilized at 154,250 dinars per 100 dollars, while the buying price reached 153,250 dinars. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=66104
Iraq was the second largest destination for Jordanian exports during January.
Money and Business Economy News – Baghdad The Amman Chamber of Commerce revealed on Thursday that Iraq ranked second among destinations for Jordanian exports during the month of January.
The Chamber stated in a report that the value of Oman's trade exports during January amounted to 155 million dinars, compared to 116 million dinars during the same period last year, an increase of 32.2%.
She indicated that Iraq came in second place as the largest importer of Jordanian goods in terms of the value of certificates of origin, amounting to 47 million dinars, with 206 certificates, while Switzerland came in first with about 52 million dinars and 8 certificates.
Next came Saudi Arabia with 8 million dinars, with 223 certificates, followed by Syria with 7 million dinars with 600 certificates, and Egypt with 6 million dinars with 55 certificates. This group of countries is among the top five in terms of value.
The Chamber added that Jordanian exports were diverse according to the type of goods, as foreign products not manufactured in Jordan constituted the largest part with a value of about 60 million dinars, while the value of Jordanian industrial products amounted to about 17 million dinars, and products of Arab origin amounted to 12 million dinars, agricultural products to 10 million dinars, and the remainder went to other products.
A certificate of origin is a fundamental document in international trade, as it proves that the goods produced or manufactured in a particular shipment were produced in a particular country, and is used to determine the customs definition and verify the origin of the goods. The Jordanian dinar is worth 70 dinars to 100 dollars. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=66108
PM Stresses The Importance Of Achieving The Highest Levels Of Coordination And Intelligence Sharing
INA–Baghdad The Prime Minister's Media Office stated in a press release received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, chaired a meeting of the National Intelligence Council today."
"The meeting addressed the security situation across the country, reviewed the performance of security and intelligence agencies and their duties in various sectors, and discussed efforts to confront current challenges in light of regional developments, with the aim of strengthening the country's security and stability," according to the statement.
The Commander-in-Chief stressed the importance of optimal operational coordination among the various branches of the security forces.
Al-Sudani emphasized the necessity of achieving the highest levels of coordination and intelligence cooperation and working to provide all the requirements for the success of the security plans prepared in this context