Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Tuesday Evening 12-16-25
The European Bank Injects $100 Million Into The National Bank And Encourages International Markets To Enter Iraq
Banks Economy News – Baghdad The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) expressed its pride in signing its first investment agreement in Iraq, providing $100 million in financing to the National Bank of Iraq. The bank emphasized that this facility represents a significant achievement in supporting the country's economy by expanding trade finance and enhancing integration with international markets.
In a statement, the EBRD said, "This facility will support import and export activities in Iraq and strengthen the National Bank of Iraq's trade finance operations by issuing guarantees to approved banks and providing advance payments for import, export, and local distribution of goods under the EBRD's Trade Facilitation Programme."
He added that the financing facility "will contribute to enhancing trade integration in Iraq by providing guarantees and lines of credit to mitigate political and commercial payment risks associated with international transactions conducted by partner banks in the economies where the EBRD operates."
He explained that "this investment will also contribute to improving access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), facilitating intra-regional trade, and assisting the National Bank of Iraq (NBI) in diversifying its correspondent banking network and strengthening trade finance links with other countries where the EBRD operates."
Katarina Björlin-Hansen, Head of the EBRD office in Iraq, said, "We are proud to sign our first investment agreement in Iraq, in partnership with the National Bank of Iraq (NBI)."
She noted that "this facility is a significant achievement in supporting the country's economy by expanding trade finance, enhancing integration with international markets, and supporting the resilience of local businesses. We look forward to playing a pivotal role in building strong financial institutions and supporting sustainable economic growth in Iraq."
For his part, Ayman Abu Dhaim, Managing Director of the National Bank of Iraq (NBI), stated, "This represents The partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) marks a significant milestone in the growth of the National Bank of Iraq (NBI) and the Iraqi financial landscape.
Through this facility, we aim to improve trade flows, empower Iraqi businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and open new channels connecting Iraq to global markets with greater stability and reliability. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to driving economic development and supporting Iraq's integration with the regional and international economy.
It is worth noting that the EBRD launched its Trade Finance Programme in 1999 to promote international trade among the economies of the regions where it operates by providing guarantees and short-term loans to selected participating banks and finance companies.
NBI is the largest private bank in Iraq, a full-service bank offering banking services to individuals, SMEs, and large corporations, in addition to trade finance and treasury services. Established in 1995, the bank is majority-owned by Capital Bank (Jordan), a client of the EBRD since 2015.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) began its operations in Iraq in September 2025, focusing on the private sector to facilitate its access to finance, support local businesses, and promote long-term sustainable growth, thereby contributing to the transformation of the country’s economy. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=63471
Al-Sudani: Iraq's External Debt Is More Than $10 Billion, The Lowest Among The Countries Of The Region
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 20:09 | Economy Number of views: 153 Baghdad / NINA / Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced that Iraq's external debt stands at $10.056 billion, the lowest among countries in the region.
In televised remarks, al-Sudani stated, "The financial crisis can be overcome without harming citizens," noting that "all previous budgets have included a deficit." /End https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1267116
The Oil Company Announces An Increase In Iraqi Exports To The United States
Baratha News Agency2162025-12-16 The Iraqi State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) announced on Sunday that oil exports to the United States had increased by approximately 435,000 barrels per day.
The company indicated that its strategy is based on diversifying markets, maintaining market balance, and ensuring the continuity of oil exports. SOMO Director General Ali Nizar Al-Shatri told the official news agency that "the increase recorded in Iraqi oil exports to the United States during the past week does not reflect a change in marketing policy or approved allocations, but rather is due to temporary logistical factors.
" He pointed out that "the arrival of Iraqi oil exports to the United States at approximately 435,000 barrels per day during the past week was a result of concentrating the loading of several shipments within a short period of time, due to transportation schedules, refinery needs, and port conditions."
He also added that "this timing may give the impression of higher weekly exports, while the actual exported quantities on a monthly basis remain within the normal rates allocated to American companies," explaining that "the monthly allocations of Iraqi crude oil to American companies are still below the contractual ceiling, due to the limited quantities available for export."
He stated that “talking about Iraq occupying the second position among the largest oil exporters to the United States does not reflect the true picture when relying on stable monthly and quarterly indicators,” noting that “quarterly data issued by specialized entities, such as Kpler, shows that Iraq ranked eighth among crude oil suppliers to the American market during the last quarter of 2025, at a rate of approximately 3 million barrels per month,” pointing out that “the latest data issued by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) for the seventh month of this year places Iraq in seventh place on the list of suppliers.”
He stressed that "the advanced appearance in some weekly reports is due to the concentration of shipments arriving within short periods, and does not reflect the true ranking based on monthly and quarterly rates."
Regarding the possibility of Iraq remaining in a leading position among the major oil suppliers to the United States, he explained that “Iraq will continue to supply American companies with crude oil according to the approved marketing policy, and in a way that ensures the stability and continuity of exports, similar to the rest of the global markets, especially Asian and European markets, with different export ratios depending on price preference and within the concluded contracts.”
He also stressed that “the weekly increase in exports does not represent a new strategic direction towards the American market, but rather is the result of temporary factors related to the scheduling of shipments, logistical conditions and the needs of refineries during a specific period,” explaining that “SOMO’s strategy is based on diversifying markets and maintaining their balance and continuity of oil exports, in a way that serves the country’s interest and preserves oil wealth and its revenues.”
Regarding the impact of oil exports on economic relations between Baghdad and Washington, he pointed out that “the stability of Iraqi exports to the American market contributes to strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries, especially in the energy sector,” noting that “this may encourage American companies to invest in Iraq and participate in implementing strategic projects in the oil sector and the energy sector in general, which will positively impact economic development, the transfer of expertise and technology, and support stability in this vital sector.”
https://burathanews.com/arabic/economic/468956
Oil Prices Fall Below $60
Economy | 16/12/2025 Mawazin News - Baghdad: Oil prices fell by about 1.5% on Tuesday, dropping below $60 a barrel, their lowest level since May of this year. This decline extended losses from the previous session amid signs of a possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, and the potential easing of sanctions on Russian crude.
Brent crude futures fell 1.5% to $59.65 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $55.87 a barrel, down 1.6%.
US officials said the United States offered Ukraine security guarantees similar to those provided by NATO, an unprecedented move that has sparked optimism in some European capitals that talks are nearing the stage of negotiating an end to the conflict, according to Reuters. https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=271679
New buying opportunities... Gold prices decline in Baghdad
Economy | 16/12/2025 Mawazin News - Baghdad: Gold prices, both foreign and Iraqi, have decreased in local markets in Baghdad. This morning, the wholesale price of one mithqal (approximately 4.5 grams) of 21-karat gold from the Gulf, Turkey, and Europe was 862,000 Iraqi dinars, while the buying price was 858,000 dinars. This is a decrease from yesterday morning's price of 877,000 dinars.
Meanwhile, the selling price of one mithqal of 21-karat Iraqi gold was 832,000 dinars, and the buying price was 828,000 dinars. As for gold prices in jewelry shops, the selling price of one mithqal of 21-karat Gulf gold ranged between 865,000 and 875,000 dinars, while the selling price of one mithqal of Iraqi gold ranged between 835,000 and 845,000 dinars. https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=271657
The Dollar Is Declining As The Stock Exchange In Baghdad Closes
Economy | 16/12/2025 Mawazin News - Baghdad: The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar fell in Baghdad markets following the closure of the stock exchange.
The dollar dropped in the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges, reaching 142,700 dinars per 100 dollars, compared to 143,100 dinars per 100 dollars earlier today.
The selling price at currency exchange shops in Baghdad's local markets also decreased, reaching 143,250 dinars per 100 dollars, while the buying price was 142,250 dinars per 100 dollars. https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=271676
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