Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Monday Morning 8-25-25
Baghdad Awaits A Visit From A US Delegation To Discuss The Withdrawal Agreement
August 24, 2025 Baghdad - Qusay Munther A high-level US delegation is scheduled to visit Baghdad in the coming days to discuss a number of issues with Iraqi officials, including the withdrawal of international coalition forces. Sources reported yesterday that "the delegation will discuss the US withdrawal from Iraqi bases, as well as issues related to the economy and energy."
Relations between the United States and Iraq have been in a state of diplomatic stagnation since Donald Trump took office, with communication and meetings limited to the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Baghdad, Stephen Fagin, and a call received by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
This comes at a time when the first phases of the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition from Iraq have begun, with a US military convoy actually leaving the Ain al-Asad base for Syria last Monday.
Meanwhile, talks between Iraq and Malaysia have reached an agreement to activate the joint economic committee between the two countries, with the aim of enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy and religious tourism.
A statement received by Al-Zaman yesterday said that “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi at the government palace, where the activation of the joint supreme committee to support the economic and cultural partnership between the two countries was confirmed.”
He added that “the meeting touched on the depth of relations in various fields between the two countries and the importance of strengthening them, and the convergence of views on many foreign issues, foremost among which is the position on the war on Gaza and Islamic countries.”
Al-Sudani stressed “the importance of Malaysia’s participation in developing the Iraqi oil sector, especially with regard to the role of the Malaysian company Petronas in this regard,” stressing “strengthening cooperation in the energy sector, natural and associated gas, which represents a promising sector for investment.”
Al-Sudani called for “the formation of a joint committee to work on encouraging religious tourism between the two countries, in light of the Cabinet’s decision to exempt Malaysian citizens from entry visas to Iraq, within the principle of reciprocity.”
Al-Sudani instructed “the formation of a joint committee between the two sides to manage and organize the movement of Malaysian visitors.”
The statement went on to say that "the meeting discussed the education file, as the Malaysian delegation expressed the readiness of Malaysian universities to receive Iraqi students in various specializations, especially in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics, in addition to cooperation in the vocational education sector in various fields, in which Malaysia is a leading country."
For his part, Bin Hamidi affirmed "his country's desire to develop relations with Iraq," expressing "his appreciation for the attention and care that Malaysian visitors to the holy shrines receive, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who visit Iraq annually."
He also pointed to "the importance of working to develop religious tourism." In a related context, President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid reiterated Iraq's keenness to build balanced partnerships in various fields.
A statement received by Al-Zaman yesterday explained that “Rashid received Ibn Hamidi and his accompanying delegation at the Baghdad Palace, where he welcomed the delegation and conveyed his greetings to his Malaysian counterpart.”
Rashid stressed “the importance of developing bilateral relations to achieve the common interests of the two countries,” reiterating “Iraq’s keenness to build balanced partnerships based on mutual respect and joint cooperation in various fields.”
He added “the necessity of coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest,” praising “Malaysia’s positions in supporting the Palestinian cause and standing with the Palestinian people in confronting aggression and achieving their full legitimate rights.”
For his part, Ibn Hamidi conveyed “the greetings and appreciation of the Malaysian leadership to the President of the Republic,” expressing “Malaysia’s pride in the relations that bind it to Iraq, and its sincere desire to develop paths of bilateral cooperation to serve the interests of the two friendly peoples.” LINK
The US Accelerates The Withdrawal Of Its Forces From Two Bases In Iraq, Ahead Of Schedule.
Time: 2025/08/24 14:33:05 Read: 1,650 times {Political: Al Furat News} Informed sources revealed on Sunday that the United States has decided to withdraw all its forces from two military bases in Iraq.
Sources revealed that the US has decided to withdraw all its soldiers from the Ain al-Asad base in Anbar province and the Victoria base at Baghdad airport.
Sources indicated that US forces are beginning to transfer their personnel to Erbil and a neighboring Arab country.
She noted that "the Americans informed their Iraqi counterparts that they would accelerate the withdrawal process and would not adhere to the timetable set out in the framework agreement between the two countries."
Sabah al-Numan, the spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, confirmed last Monday that the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq was one of the government's achievements, noting that it was an indicator of Iraq's ability to confront terrorism.
He said, "The withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq is one of the government's achievements and an indicator of Iraq's ability to combat terrorism and maintain security and stability without needing assistance from others."
Al-Numan added, "This would not have happened without political efforts and the insistence of the Prime Minister to close this file, just as he closed the UNAMI file."
The US Embassy in Iraq announced earlier that the international coalition in Iraq would transition to a bilateral security partnership.
"This is not the end of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS's work, as it will continue its civilian-led efforts at the global level," the embassy said in a statement.
She added that "the coalition's military mission in Iraq will transition to a more traditional bilateral security partnership," noting that "details related to our military plans and operations will be referred to the Ministry of Defense." LINK
Sources: US Withdrawal From Al-Assad And Victoria Bases
Political | 06:52 - 08/24/2025 Mawazine News – Baghdad Security sources revealed on Sunday that the United States has suddenly decided to withdraw all its forces from two bases in Iraq.
The sources said that "Washington has suddenly decided to withdraw all its soldiers from the Ain al-Assad and Victoria bases in Iraq."
The sources explained that "the American forces are beginning to transfer their elements to Erbil and a neighboring Arab country," noting that "the Americans informed their Iraqi counterparts that they will accelerate the withdrawal process and will not adhere to the timetable set out in the framework agreement between the two countries."
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Sabah al-Numan, confirmed last Monday that the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq is one of the government's achievements, noting that it is an indicator of Iraq's ability to confront terrorism.
The official agency quoted al-Numan as saying that "the withdrawal of the international coalition forces from Iraq is one of the government's achievements and an indicator of Iraq's ability to confront terrorism and maintain security and stability without needing the help of others."
He added that "this would not have happened without political efforts and the insistence of the Prime Minister to close this file, just as he closed the UNAMI file."
The US Embassy in Iraq announced earlier that the international coalition in Iraq would transition to a bilateral security partnership.
The embassy said in a statement, "This is not the end of the work of the international coalition to defeat ISIS, as it will continue its civilian-led efforts at the global level."
It added, "The coalition's military mission in Iraq will transition to a more traditional bilateral security partnership," noting that "details regarding our military plans and operations will be referred to the Department of Defense." https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=265658
Ministry Of Planning: Monthly And Annual Inflation Rates Decline For The Second Consecutive Month.
Sunday, August 24, 2025 | Economic Number of reads: 259 Baghdad / NINA / The Ministry of Planning announced, on Sunday, the continued decline in inflation rates in Iraq for the second month in a row, as the monthly inflation rate for last July recorded a decrease of (0.1%) compared to June, which also witnessed a decrease of (1.2%).
The official spokesman for the Ministry, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, said that the annual inflation rate decreased in July 2024 by (1.2%) compared to the same month in 2023, attributing this decline to the decrease in prices of a number of sections that include (333) goods and services, and constitute about (88%) of individual spending on goods and services.
Al-Hindawi indicated that the prices of the food and non-alcoholic beverages section recorded a decrease of (1%), as a result of the decline in the food group by (1.1%), especially the prices of fish (4.1%), vegetables (2.9%), fruits (1.8%), dairy products and eggs (0.7%).
He added that four other categories witnessed a decline in their prices during July, namely: communications (0.1%), entertainment and culture (0.7%), miscellaneous goods and services (0.3%), and household equipment and supplies (0.1%).
On the other hand, the prices of six categories rose slightly, as the housing category recorded an increase of (0.8%), while the health and transportation categories rose by (0.3%) each, the tobacco category by (0.5%), and the clothing, footwear, restaurants and hotels categories rose by (0.1%), while the education category remained stable without change.
As for core inflation - which is calculated by excluding the most volatile goods such as vegetables, fruits, oil and cooking gas - Al-Hindawi indicated that it decreased by (0.8%) during last July compared to the same month in 2023. /End https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1247990
For The Second Consecutive Month, Planning: Monthly And Annual Inflation Rates Decline.
Economy |08/24/2025 Mawazine News – Baghdad For the second consecutive month, Planning: Monthly and annual inflation rates decline https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=265623
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