Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Evening 6-11-26
Al-Zaydi Proposes Raising The Dollar Exchange Rate And Selling Government Institutions To Pay Off Debts
Baghdad - Al-Sa'a Network Leaks from a meeting held by the leaders of the Coordination Framework at the home of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, in the Jadriya area of Baghdad, revealed a rare political consensus on a broad economic plan presented by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, aimed at addressing the financial crisis and reducing public debt, but at the same time it raised widespread concerns among economists and academic circles.
According to what was reported by Al-Mada newspaper, the plan, which was approved by the leaders of the framework, includes in its first stage raising the exchange rate of the dollar again as one of the options proposed to reduce the financial deficit and increase government revenues, a step that would directly affect commodity prices and the purchasing power of citizens.
The government's vision also includes addressing the public debt, estimated at about $83 billion, by transferring ownership of a number of struggling productive government institutions or restructuring them within a new economic program. This has raised warnings about the possibility that these measures could turn into selling state assets at prices lower than their real value, and the potential for corruption or mismanagement that may accompany this.
On another front, the plan links the security and economic files, as it speaks of launching a broad campaign to recover looted funds and prosecute senior figures accused of corruption, similar to the "Ritz-Carlton" experience, with the aim of recovering approximately $50 billion of public funds.
The plan also requires strengthening security stability, restricting weapons to the state, and addressing the issue of factions that reject integration and organization programs, considering this a fundamental step to create a suitable environment to attract American and Gulf investments estimated at about $50 billion.
Supporters of the project see it as a radical economic transformation aimed at moving Iraq towards a more open economy and reducing dependence on the state, while opponents warn that some of its provisions may lead to additional living burdens on citizens and open the door to the ill-considered privatization of state assets.
https://alssaa.com/post/show/54014-الزيدي-يطرح-رفع-الدولار-وبيع-مؤسسات-حكومية-لسداد-الديون
Prime Minister's Advisor: Growing International Interest In Iraq's Banking Reform Program
Localities The Prime Minister's Advisor for Banking Affairs, Saleh Mahoud, affirmed on Wednesday that Iraq is making steady progress towards building a more efficient, open, and integrated financial sector within the global economy. He noted the growing international interest in the country's banking reform program.
In a statement received by Al-Eqtisad News, Mahoud said he participated over the past three days in a working visit to London as part of an Iraqi banking delegation that included representatives from the Central Bank of Iraq, the Association of Iraqi Private Banks, and several other banks and electronic payment companies.
The visit aimed to strengthen international cooperation and support the financial and banking reform process in Iraq.
He added that the visit, organized in coordination with the British Embassy in Iraq, provided a platform for dialogue between Iraqi and British financial and banking institutions, thereby enhancing economic and financial cooperation between the two countries.
He explained that on the first day, the delegation held meetings with Hogan Lovells, a firm specializing in legal consulting on financial and banking legislation, and also participated in a dialogue with Chatham House. He emphasized the government's full support for the banking reform projects led by the Central Bank of Iraq in cooperation with international consulting firms.
He noted that the meetings held at the British Parliament addressed the development of banking and economic cooperation, encouraging British investment in Iraq, and strengthening partnerships between financial institutions in both countries.
Mahoud explained that the visit reflected the level of international interest in Iraq's banking reform program, emphasizing that Iraq continues to implement plans to develop its financial sector in accordance with international standards and to enhance the investment climate and economic growth. https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=70085
Iraq Is Moving Towards Balancing Programs With US Support And In Coordination With The World Bank
Money and Business Economy News – Baghdad Finance Minister Faleh Sari discussed on Wednesday with the US Chargé d'Affaires to Iraq, Joshua Harris, prospects for economic cooperation between Baghdad and Washington and ways to strengthen the partnership with US financial institutions, while both sides affirmed their support for the path of economic and financial reforms.
The Ministry of Finance said in a statement received by "Al-Eqtisad News" that the minister stressed that the government has given the economic file high priority within its program, noting that the next stage will witness reforms aimed at addressing economic and financial challenges in a radical way, and in cooperation with international partners.
The minister revealed a government trend towards preparing a program budget and gradually moving away from the traditional budget system, with the aim of raising the efficiency of spending and linking financial allocations to goals and results, in line with the requirements of financial and administrative reform.
For his part, the US Chargé d'Affaires affirmed his country's support for the Iraqi government and its readiness to enhance economic and financial cooperation, in a way that contributes to supporting stability and achieving sustainable economic growth in Iraq.
This trend coincides with what the government spokesman, Haider al-Aboudi, announced, that the Council of Ministers approved a directive to proceed with drafting a "program budget" in coordination with the World Bank and the Parliamentary Finance Committee, within the framework of economic reform. https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=70077
Al-Marsoumi: The Economic Reform Program Includes Abolishing The Ration Card And Reducing Salaries.
Baghdad - Al-Sa'a Network Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi revealed that the economic reform program presented by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi includes measures such as abolishing government subsidies, the food ration card, and reducing allocations for the social protection network and salaries .
Al-Marsoumi said in a televised interview followed by Al-Sa’a Network, “Governments say that they have reduced inflation, but the market says something else. We live in Iraq and we know the level of commodity prices and how they have risen today, starting from consumer goods to cars and other things, and their rise has increased after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
As for talking about an inflation rate of 1% or 2%, it is a theoretical and inaccurate proposition, as the level of inflation has risen significantly, especially after the closure of the strait and the Iraqi citizen was affected by that .”
Al-Marsoumi warned that “reducing the exchange rate of the dinar against the dollar comes at an inappropriate time, in light of the economic recession that Iraq is experiencing, and the near-total shutdown of the private sector and other productive sectors.
Therefore, we should be cautious in taking such decisions, especially since they are not taken by the government alone, but rather in agreement with the political blocs .”
He pointed out that "the options have become limited, but there are difficult options, including selling state assets. Let us remember the Russian experience, as privatizing government assets in the context of corruption may mean wasting public money. In the early 1990s, the privatization of government projects led to significant losses, increased poverty rates, and a decline in living standards ."
He revealed “the existence of loopholes that, in the context of corruption, could lead to government assets being valued at less than their true value. Selling these assets will also face a problem related to the employees working in them, which could lead to an expansion of unemployment, undermine social stability, and create a state of popular discontent .”
He pointed out that "the financial situation will not improve much during the current year, in the absence of a sovereign wealth fund, which may lead to withdrawals from the cash reserve.
According to official figures, the foreign currency reserve decreased by 10 trillion dinars between February and mid-May, compared to an increase in the issuance of money to 113 trillion dinars, an increase of 8 trillion dinars, which makes the options more limited ."
He explained that “selling government assets worth trillions of dollars at symbolic prices is not in the interest of the state or the people, and requires careful study and the adoption of the principle of gradualism in dealing with this issue. Although these measures seem good in theory, they will face many obstacles on the ground .”
He explained that "the economic reform program presented by the Prime Minister includes the elimination of government subsidies on fuel, the liberalization of prices, and possibly the floating of the currency, in addition to reducing government spending and salaries.
It appears that the privatization of government projects is part of this reform package, as well as other measures that include the cancellation of the ration card and the reduction of the social safety net, and other issues that the government may move towards implementing if the current situation continues
Al-Mada: Al-Zaydi Insists On Opening Major Corruption Files And Returning Historic Sums To The Treasury For The First Time Since 2003
Baghdad - One News 6/11/2026 Al-Mada revealed that the government is preparing to launch a broad campaign to combat corruption and recover public funds, expecting that these measures will contribute to returning sums it described as “historic” to Iraq for the first time since 2003.
The newspaper said that a list is currently being prepared within the framework of the Supreme Council for Integrity and Oversight, which was formed during the tenure of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, that includes figures suspected of involvement in major corruption cases.
She added that the number of people under surveillance is estimated at about 50, including deputies, ministers, and former and current officials, some of whom reside outside Iraq, while others manage major investment and service projects in Baghdad and the provinces, including the housing, hospitals, entertainment, oil and infrastructure sectors.
The sources indicated that estimates circulating regarding the size of the looted funds range between $150 billion and $250 billion, while some estimates raise the figure to about $350 billion, noting that part of these funds is believed to have been used to finance armed groups. https://1news-iq.net/المدى-الزيدي-مُصر-على-فتح-ملفات-فساد-كب/