TNT:
Tishwash: The Central Bank issues a decision prohibiting the International Development Bank from dealing in dollars.
The Central Bank of Iraq issued a decision today, Thursday (October 22, 2026), prohibiting the International Development Bank in Iraq from dealing in US dollars.
According to a letter issued by the Central Bank and received by "Baghdad Today", the Central Bank decided to prohibit the bank from trading in US dollars "in any way," within an official circular addressed to non-bank financial institutions.
It is noted that the International Development Bank in Iraq was included in a US decision issued last week imposing economic sanctions on it and preventing it from trading in dollars. link
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Tishwash: Trade: The Iraqi-American Business Council kicks off in Baghdad.
The Ministry of Trade announced on Wednesday the launch of the Iraqi-American Business Council in Baghdad, with official attendance and the participation of prominent business leaders and representatives from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and private sector institutions in both countries.
The Ministry stated in a press release received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "On behalf of the Minister of Trade, Mustafa Nizar Juma, the Advisor to the Ministry of Trade, Mohammed Hanoun, inaugurated the Iraqi-American Business Council in Baghdad, in the presence of officials and representatives from the US diplomatic mission in Iraq, prominent business leaders and representatives from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and private sector institutions in both countries, as well as the Director General of the Department of Economic Relations and the Director General of the Department of the Private Sector at the Ministry of Trade."
According to the statement, Advisor Mohammed Hanoun emphasized that "the launch of the Council represents an important strategic step in developing economic relations between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America," stressing that "relations between countries gain their true depth from economic partnerships, productive investments, and projects that create job opportunities and transfer knowledge and technology."
Hannon explained that "the Ministry of Trade views this council as an expanded and direct platform for bridging the gap between the business communities, highlighting promising investment opportunities in Iraq, and facilitating communication between companies and investors to transform shared aspirations into projects and agreements with tangible results on the ground."
The ministry advisor added that "Iraq possesses economic strengths, natural and human resources, a large market, and a strategic geographic location connecting regional markets, all of which offer real opportunities for companies seeking to build long-term partnerships."
He pointed out that "the government's vision focuses on ensuring that the Iraqi-American partnership transcends traditional trade exchange, moving towards localizing industries and technology, training and developing Iraqi talent, establishing joint ventures that add value to the national economy and serve mutual interests, and facilitating the entry of American companies into the industrial, agricultural, health, technology, digital transformation, infrastructure, logistics, and supply chain development sectors."
He noted that "the Baghdad International Fair is a vital economic gateway that enhances the presence of American companies and institutions and opens the door to further partnerships and direct communication with the Iraqi private sector."
Hannon emphasized the government's commitment to developing the business environment, diversifying national income sources, and strengthening the role of the private sector. He stressed that the council's success requires continuous institutional work and transparent dialogue to address challenges and provide accurate economic data that enables investors and companies to make confident decisions.
Hannon called on all parties—government, economic institutions, and the private sector—to translate ideas, opportunities, and understandings into tangible action plans and investments that will positively impact citizens and contribute to the growth and development of the Iraqi economy. link
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Tishwash: The Sudanese government calls for expediting the budget process and urges support for Iraqi artists and drama.
The head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, discussed on Wednesday with the Ministers of Culture, Yassin Al-Ithawi, and Planning, Qutaiba Ghazi, the progress of the government program and the plans of the two ministries, stressing the need to expedite the completion of the budget and support talents and artists.
During the meeting, which was attended by a number of coalition deputies, officials and members, Al-Sudani called for adopting efficiency in ministerial work, providing opportunities for government competencies, strengthening the media aspect of ministries, as well as listening to employees at various job levels and keeping the doors of officials open to them.
He asked the Ministry of Planning to support the swift completion of the budget, while stressing the need for the Ministry of Culture to pay attention to artists, drama and local production, and to provide the necessary financial and logistical support for them and their work.
For his part, the Minister of Planning described the ministry as the beating heart of the Iraqi government, praising the achievements of the previous government, especially the completion of the population census, while the Minister of Culture commended the previous initiatives supporting artists, most notably the Iraqi drama initiative. link
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Tishwash: Financial oversight: Results of pre-audit of government contracts will be released soon.
The head of the Federal Financial Control Bureau, Ammar Subhi Khalaf, confirmed on Tuesday that the results of the pre-audit of government contracts will appear soon, while indicating the start of implementing a control approach that focuses on business risks in institutions.
Khalaf said in a statement to the official agency, which was followed by “Iraq Observer”, that “the criticisms directed at the report submitted by the Bureau came as a result of the ambiguity of understanding the nature of the report or the work of the Bureau”, indicating that the past period witnessed a clarification of the Bureau’s tasks and competencies.
He added that “the Bureau is currently working on a very important issue, which is business risks, which includes monitoring the risks present in each institution and focusing on auditing them more than data audits,” stressing that this approach has already begun to be implemented, and that its results will appear soon.
The Federal Board of Financial Control had previously announced the adoption of a new oversight approach for pre-auditing government contracts before their conclusion, with the aim of strengthening preventive and proactive oversight and reducing violations and waste of public funds.
The Diwan explained that the new approach comes in implementation of the directives of the Prime Minister, Ali Falih Al-Zaidi, and relies on examining the stages and procedures of contracting before concluding contracts, instead of waiting until after they are signed and implemented to discover violations.
He pointed out that this approach aims to shift from focusing on discovering violations and addressing their effects after they occur to strengthening preventive oversight, which contributes to addressing shortcomings at early stages, before they turn into financial or legal obligations for the state. link
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Tishwash: Government spokesperson: The closure of the Al-Shaib border crossing was due to its lack of technical, technological, and developmental readiness.
Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi confirmed on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, that the closure of the al-Shaib border crossing was due to its lack of technical, technological, and developmental readiness. While denying the presence of Houthi headquarters in Iraq, he indicated the continuation of coordination with Turkey and Iran to resolve the issues of armed groups, stressing at the same time that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used to threaten neighboring countries.
Al-Aboudi said: “The suspension of work at the Al-Shaib border crossing represents a step towards raising the level of technical and logistical readiness of the crossing, and it came as a result of its lack of technical, technological and developmental readiness,” indicating that “there are more than one border crossing that are witnessing smooth trade exchange with Iran.”
Regarding the news circulating about the existence of Houthi headquarters in Iraq, Al-Aboudi explained that “there are no headquarters indicated in this regard inside Iraq, and the matter does not require any direction or government decision regarding something that does not exist in the first place,” noting that “some insist on clinging to narratives circulating through social media.”
He added that "the presence of armed groups from other countries inside Iraq is contrary to constitutional principles," stressing that "Iraq will not be a launching pad for attacks on neighboring countries, and will not adopt and embrace any armed group participating in a particular conflict."
Al-Aboudi pointed to “high coordination with Turkey to resolve the issue of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and remove its members from Iraq, as well as coordination with Iran through a high committee to resolve the issue of the presence of Iranian Kurdish militants inside Iraqi territory, specifically in the Kurdistan Region.”
He affirmed that "all these indicators and government policies confirm that the presence of armed elements affiliated with other countries will not be permitted within Iraqi territory," emphasizing that "Iraq will not allow threats to neighboring countries to be launched from its territory." link