TNT:

Tishwash: Iraq: Top 5 Arab economy in 2024

Five Arab countries, including Iraq, accounted for 72% of the region’s GDP, which surpassed $3.6 trillion in 2024, according to a new report from the Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee Corporation ("Dhaman") released on Sunday.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, and Algeria emerged as the leading contributors to the Arab economy, the report showed.

The forecast for 2025 suggests a 4.1% growth in the Arab economy, driven by strong performances in 14 countries, including nine oil producers, which together make up around 78% of the total GDP.

Despite economic challenges, the analysis highlights a boost in oil and gas export revenues, though crude oil production dropped by 4%, with uneven growth across the region.

Iraq continues to play a central role in the Arab economy, with its reliance on oil exports alongside government efforts to diversify income sources and increase investments in other sectors.

Per capita income in the Arab world reached $7,557 in 2024, with a modest increase expected to $7,602 in 2025. The population surpassed 467 million, growing by 2%.

Inflation in the region climbed to 12% last year, but is expected to ease to 8.5% in 2025. Unemployment rose to 9.7%.

Arab foreign trade saw a 3.6% increase, reaching $3.3 trillion, thanks to a 1% rise in exports and a 7% jump in imports.

Foreign exchange reserves across Arab countries grew by 3.7%, reaching $1.2 trillion, enough to cover imports for more than eight months.

The region's government debt decreased to 48.3% of GDP, with further reductions expected, dropping to 47.6% in the coming year. link

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Tishwash: To reduce speculation, a Sudanese advisor reveals a new monetary strategy.

The Prime Minister's economic advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, revealed a new monetary strategy Sunday evening that seeks to reduce speculation.

Saleh said in a statement to Al-Furat News that: "A new monetary strategy aims to gradually attract foreign exchange transactions to the officially regulated banking system."

He explained that "this strategy focuses on expanding the base of buying and selling foreign currency at fixed and stable rates, in line with the current monetary policy."

Saleh emphasized that "these steps coincide with enhancing the freedom of the foreign exchange process, with a high commitment to transparency and money governance in line with international standards."

He pointed out that "this strategy is being implemented in an organized and precise manner by the Iraqi banking system, and specifically targets large transfers, especially those related to financing wholesale trade."

Saleh also pointed out "the importance of stimulating electronic banking transactions to reduce cash circulation, which contributes to feeding the parallel market with cash dollars, thus reducing speculative operations that take place outside the framework of the law." link

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Tishwash: Rafidain: Electronic collection amounts jumped to more than 6 trillion dinars in 2024.

Rafidain Bank announced record growth in electronic tax settlements for government departments' accounts during 2024, with amounts exceeding 6 trillion dinars.

A statement issued by Rafidain Bank confirmed, "The pace of collections through electronic payment companies has increased, reflecting the significant development in the adoption of digital systems in government revenue management."

The statement explained that "total tax collections during 2024 amounted to more than 6.06 trillion Iraqi dinars, recording a continuous increase compared to the first months of the year."

According to the statement, September 2024 witnessed the highest growth rate, with total settlements reaching 838.5 billion dinars, an increase of 11.12% compared to the previous month.

At the beginning of 2025, the system continued its "strong performance, with total collections in January 2025 reaching approximately 707.5 billion dinars, followed by February with 689.2 billion dinars."

Government departments also recorded a "significant increase in the activation of the electronic collection system, with the number of activated entities rising to 1,808 by February 2025, compared to 1,395 by December 2024."

Rafidain Bank affirmed that "this significant growth reflects the success of the state's efforts to promote digital transformation, reduce reliance on cash, and achieve higher levels of financial transparency and efficiency," noting that "the electronic collection system represents a fundamental pillar in improving collection mechanisms and reducing the risks of financial corruption."

He also noted that "this qualitative leap comes within the framework of the ongoing efforts led by Rafidain Bank, in cooperation with government agencies, to support the digital economy, enhance confidence in electronic financial transactions, and raise the efficiency of the financial sector in Iraq link

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Mot: .. May the Road Rise ~~~~~