Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Afternoon 9-17-26
Finance Minister To World Bank Delegation: We Are Proceeding With The Implementation Of Automation Projects And Transforming Them Into Practical Steps To Develop Financial Management And Enhance Oversight And Transparency
Baghdad - One News - 9/17/2026 Finance Minister Faleh Sari discussed with a delegation from the World Bank the files of financial and banking reform and the development of financial management tools, in addition to the automation projects that the ministry is working to implement.
The Ministry of Finance stated in a statement that Sari received a delegation from the World Bank headed by the Regional Director for the Middle East, Dalia Khalifa, and the Director of the Bank’s mission in Iraq, Emmanuel Salinas. During the meeting, they discussed ways of cooperation in developing financial systems and projects related to financial and economic reform.
Sari affirmed that the Ministry of Finance is proceeding with the implementation of automation projects and moving them to practical steps, which will contribute to developing work procedures and raising the efficiency of resource and data management, in addition to enhancing oversight and transparency in financial institutions.
The Minister of Finance pointed to the importance of the World Bank’s role in supporting automation projects and benefiting from its technical expertise in developing financial systems, indicating that cooperation between the two sides includes a number of vital sectors related to financial and economic reform.
For their part, representatives of the World Bank appreciated the measures taken by the Ministry of Finance to develop the financial and banking sectors, stressing the Bank’s commitment to continuing cooperation with the Ministry to ensure the success of joint projects in Iraq.
The World Bank delegation noted a growing interest from major international companies in the Iraqi market, coinciding with efforts to develop the financial and banking sector and strengthen economic reform initiatives.
https://1news-iq.net/وزير-المالية-لوفد-البنك-الدولي-ماضون-ف/
Kurdistan Region President: It is Time to End Disputes and Consolidate Coexistence
Iraqi News Agency Thursday, Erbil - INA - 9/17/2026 Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani affirmed on Thursday that the region's strength lies in being part of a strong Iraq, stressing that the time has come to resolve disputes and consolidate coexistence across the country.
In a speech delivered at the Sulaymaniyah Economic Summit, attended by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) correspondent, Barzani stated, "Political disputes must not hinder trade and investment; rather, a clear constitutional framework regarding financial, customs, and tax issues must be established with the federal government."
"We seek an Iraq that never becomes a tool for the imposition of force, numerical dominance, or self-assertion for control, but rather a haven that protects everyone," he added.
"We want a state that embraces Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, Christians, Yazidis, and all Iraqi citizens, a state where everyone feels secure in their rights, independent of the whims of governments or equations of power and majorities; instead, their rights must be safeguarded and protected by state institutions and the law," he stated.
"Issues concerning the budget, salaries, oil and gas, and powers must be resolved constitutionally, in a manner that upholds the rights of both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, while preserving the rights of all Iraqi citizens," he continued.
"The goal is not for Erbil to follow Baghdad, nor for Baghdad to follow Erbil; rather, the goal is for us to follow a constitutional Iraq," he added
"Our strength lies in a strong federal Iraq and in the Kurdistan Region existing within the framework of a strong Iraq," he confirmed.
"The time has come to end disputes and resolve them; the clear path to doing so lies in the constitution, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence within this country," Barzani concluded.
Trump Demands Sub-1% Rates Following Fed Hike
2026-09-17 / 05:04 Shafaq News- Washington US President Donald Trump urged the Federal Reserve on Thursday to cut interest rates, stepping up pressure on the central bank after it raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points.
“Interest Rates in the United States should be 1%, or less, because we are the Best Credit in the World — BY FAR,” he wrote on Truth Social, adding that the economy was “booming” as new investment flowed into the country.
Donald J. Trump TRUTH @realDonaldTrump
Interest Rates in the United States should be 1%, or less, because we are the Best Credit in the World — BY FAR. Our Country is BOOMING with new Investment! If we stopped Trading with every country that we have a Deficit with, which is most of them, we would make, at least, 1.5 Trillion Dollars a year. The word “Deficit” is nothing more than a fancy word for LOSS. We are “carrying” almost every country in the World, and that cannot go on any longer.
LOWER THE INTEREST RATES FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND FAST! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Trump argued that cutting trade with countries where the United States runs deficits would generate substantial revenue, claiming that the United States is “carrying” nearly every country and “that cannot go on any longer.”
Trump also attacked the Federal Reserve’s rate decision, calling the central bank “hostile” and accusing it of acting for political reasons to make his administration’s economic record look worse.
The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75% to 4%, ending five consecutive meetings in which the rate had remained unchanged.
The decision sent the dollar to a seven-week high, while higher Treasury yields reflected expectations that the Fed could keep raising rates. The dollar index, which tracks the US currency against a basket of major currencies, also climbed to 100.33, its highest level since July 31.
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh attributed the move to inflation, saying it was “too high and has been for too long,” and called it a “sober” and “responsible decision.”
Despite opposing the increase, Trump praised Warsh, saying he still had confidence in the man he picked earlier this year to take over the Fed from Jerome Powell, a figure the president has frequently criticized for not delivering the sharp rate cuts Trump has repeatedly demanded.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/World/Trump-demands-sub-1-rates-following-Fed-hike
Slemani Summit: Iraq’s President Urges Economic Diversification
2026-09-17 Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah Iraqi President Nizar Amedi on Thursday called for economic diversification, greater investment and stronger action against corruption, saying Iraq must improve its investment climate to attract capital and support sustainable growth.
Speaking at the 2026 Slemani Summit, Amedi said coordination among government institutions, civil society, partners and independent organizations was essential to developing and implementing financial, banking and economic policies.
He said regional instability made cooperation particularly important to limit its impact on Iraq’s economy and citizens.
Amedi backed a larger role for the private sector in strategic projects, infrastructure, services and job creation, while stressing the need for transparency, competition and protection of public funds and the rights of both the state and investors.
He said successful partnerships should combine the state’s role with the private sector’s capacity for investment and innovation, helping diversify economic activity and attract capital, expertise and technology.
Read more: Iraqi experts divided on reviving the oil-reliant economy
Political and security stability, he added, cannot be sustained without long-term economic and social stability.
Amedi also called for a long-term national strategy based on stronger state institutions, the rule of law, better management of resources, economic diversification, investment and digital transformation.
He said Iraq should gradually move toward a more productive and diversified economy through financial and economic reform, infrastructure development, private-sector growth and investment in young people and technology.
The president also called for continued action against corruption across the financial, economic and public-service sectors, while supporting the judiciary, integrity bodies, security agencies and other state institutions involved in anti-corruption efforts.
Read more: Iraq’s Dawn Crackdown spreads through state institutions
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Slemani-Summit-Iraq-s-President-urges-economic-diversification