Tuesday Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 6-23-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: More than 100 draft laws await action in Iraq’s parliament, lawmaker says
More than 100 draft laws remain pending in Iraq’s parliament awaiting reading, debate and voting, a member of the parliamentary Legal Committee said.
Ibtisam al-Hilali told the Iraqi News Agency on Sunday that the previous government had withdrawn a number of bills from parliament to “amend and redraft some of their provisions.” She expressed hope the current government would resubmit them to complete the legislative process, and called for several to be put to a vote during the second legislative term, scheduled to begin in July.
Among the bills she identified were the Popular Mobilization Forces draft law, the Civil Service Law and a draft amendment to the public employee salary scale.
Iraq’s Council of Representatives opened its current legislative term in late December 2025 and elected Haibat al-Halbousi as speaker. link
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Tishwash: Parliamentary moves to amend the investment law and activate the private sector
Parliamentary calls have been renewed to amend the investment law, as well as to adopt an effective policy to support the private sector as one of the main solutions to address unemployment and reduce the pressure of absorbing graduates on the government sector.
Member of Parliament Taqi al-Waeli told Al-Sabah newspaper: “There should be laws supporting the private sector, and what was stated in the ministerial program regarding government support for this sector should be translated into concrete measures on the ground.” He explained that most of the current pressure to provide job opportunities falls on the public sector, which cannot absorb the numbers. The large number of graduates.
He added that harnessing these energies requires a clear policy to support the private sector by backing local industries, encouraging investment, and establishing projects capable of absorbing the workforce. He pointed out that the projects exist and the vision is clear, but the problem lies ... In the weakness of activation and implementation.
Al-Waili explained that investors still face many obstacles when entering the Iraqi market, including administrative red tape and complex procedures, as well as cases of extortion that raise the cost of establishing industrial projects, which leads some investors to prefer importing instead of manufacturing inside Iraq.
He stressed the need to review and amend the investment law to facilitate procedures and remove obstacles for investors, noting that supporting national industry requires financial allocations and well-thought-out policies that ensure real results in terms of job creation.
He pointed out that the success of these steps is linked to the existence of a genuine will to address the issue of unemployment and absorb graduates, indicating that launching service projects alone is not enough unless the necessary financial liquidity and capabilities are available to complete them and turn them into productive job opportunities that contribute to revitalizing the national economy. link
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Tishwash: Zidane and the Central Bank Governor discuss strengthening financial stability
The President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan, and the Governor of the Central Bank, Nizar Nasser, discussed matters related to strengthening financial stability on Monday. This comes as the new Governor of the Central Bank officially assumed his duties and emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to consolidate financial and monetary stability.
In a press statement, the Supreme Judicial Council stated that "the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan, received the new Governor of the Central Bank, Nizar Nasser, and congratulated him on assuming his position, wishing him success in his duties." The statement added that "the President of the Supreme Judicial Council discussed with the Governor of the Central Bank a number of issues of mutual interest related to strengthening financial stability and supporting the legal procedures of the Central Bank."
In addition, a statement from the Central Bank indicated that "the new governor, Nizar Nasser, assumed his official duties, accompanied by the former governor, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, and they conducted a field tour that included various offices and departments of the Central Bank of Iraq to review the workflow and understand the nature of the tasks and duties carried out by the departments and directorates."
The new governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Nizar Nasser, emphasized during his tour "the importance of continuing institutional work and enhancing performance efficiency to contribute to achieving the goals of the Central Bank of Iraq and consolidating financial and monetary stability." Nasser also commended "the efforts exerted during the previous phase under the leadership of the former governor, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, and the achievements that contributed to developing the banking sector and strengthening the national economy." link
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Tishwash: Central Bank of Iraq: Reintegration of dollar-denominated banks is in its final stages
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed on Monday that the process of reintegrating banks restricted from dealing in US dollars in foreign transfer operations has reached its final stages, while reiterating its commitment to meeting the demand for dollars in accordance with the approved regulations and standards.
The bank stated in a statement received by (Mawazin News) that it continues to implement its reform program in coordination with the relevant international institutions, with the aim of strengthening monetary and financial stability, developing the banking sector and raising its level of integration into the global financial system.
He explained that "the bank has completed the requirements and procedures for reintegrating a number of dollar-denominated banks into foreign currency transfer operations, after they met the reform conditions and regulatory and technical standards, in addition to strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures."
He indicated that the process has entered its final stages in preparation for a gradual and organized reintegration. He added that "the bank has also completed the technical and procedural requirements for raising the limits on electronic payment cards for the corporate and business sectors, in a step aimed at expanding digital financial services and enhancing financial inclusion."
Regarding the currency market, the Central Bank affirmed its commitment to meeting the demand for US dollars and covering the legitimate needs of the public and private sectors, relying on strong foreign reserves and effective monetary tools, while fully adhering to compliance standards and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures.
The bank stressed that "these measures are part of a comprehensive reform program aimed at strengthening confidence in the Iraqi banking sector, supporting financial and monetary stability, and contributing to achieving sustainable economic development." link