Expected Rise In The Dollar... "Temporary Shock" Awaits The Iraqi Market

Economy |Today  Baghdad Today – Baghdad  The "Iraq Al-Mustaqbal" Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations expected, today, Monday, December 23, 2024, an increase in the dollar exchange rate during the next few days, following the announcement by the Central Bank of Iraq to stop the currency transfer window platform.

The head of the institution, Manar Al-Obaidi, said in a statement to "Baghdad Today", that "the suspension of the Central Bank's currency transfer platform, which was officially announced on 12/23/2024, will lead to a temporary rise in the dollar exchange rate in the market as a result of the prevailing state of fear, but things will return to normal with the beginning of the new year."

Al-Obaidi added, "This decision had been previously announced by the Central Bank, but such measures, when implemented, cause a shock to the market, leading to a temporary rise in the exchange rate, before the shock is gradually absorbed."

He explained that "the difference between the official and parallel markets will remain, but it will shrink as the situation stabilizes."

Economic expert Nasser Al-Tamimi warned, on Tuesday (December 17, 2024), of a rise in the dollar exchange rate in Iraq in the coming days.

Al-Tamimi told Baghdad Today, "There are real fears in the Iraqi market of the continued rise in the dollar exchange rate after the Central Bank of Iraq stopped working on the platform," indicating that "this matter will constitute a shock, especially at the beginning of implementing the decision and will lead to a rise in the dollar, to increase demand for it in the parallel market."

He added that "after the platform is stopped, most traders, especially small ones, will depend on the parallel market to finance their foreign trade, while continuing to finance trade with Iran and Turkey in dollars, through illegal means," noting that "this is what will lead to the rise, and therefore practical steps must be taken to prevent this by the country's monetary authority, and urgently."

The Central Bank of Iraq revealed on Wednesday (September 4, 2024) the mechanism for ending the electronic platform for foreign transfers, while indicating that the placement of foreign transfer operations and meeting requests for the dollar are on sound paths and consistent with international practices and standards.  LINK

Parliamentary Committee: Iraq Is Heading Towards A Major Investment And Economic Boom

Economy |Today,  Baghdad Today – Baghdad  The Parliamentary Investment and Development Committee confirmed, today, Monday, December 23, 2024, that Iraq is heading towards a major investment and economic boom during the next stage.                                                                                                                                   

Mohammed Radhi told Baghdad Today, "The stability achieved at the political, security and governmental levels will lead to important and large investment opportunities during the next phase, and this will generate great prosperity at the economic level, and this will lead to an important construction leap in various infrastructures."

Radhi added, "The Iraqi government has achieved successes in the investment file and strengthening the economic and financial conditions, and these successes have been positively reflected in the services, reconstruction and development file, and the next stage will show these successes more clearly through investment and economic prosperity at various levels."

In April 2024, the International Monetary Fund expected the Iraqi economy to grow by 1.4% in 2024 and 5.3% in 2025, and urged structural reforms and debt stabilization.

The Iraqi government also announced a decrease in unemployment from (16.5%) to (14.4%), a reduction in the poverty rate from (23%) to (17%), a decrease in the inflation rate from (6.1%) in 2021 to (2.5%), and an increase in non-oil revenues to (14%), after representing (7%) of the budget.  LINK

Europe 'Displeased' With Trade Volume With Iraq

Money and business  Economy News – Baghdad  The European Union renewed its confidence in Iraq's calm and successful diplomatic steps in light of the tensions witnessed in the region and the world, stressing that the partnership with Iraq is intensive and built on trust.

While he indicated that he is following up and discussing with the government of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani the best ways to implement the vital "Development Road" project for the region and the world, he announced that the (27) member states of the Union, in light of the improvement witnessed by Iraq, are discussing how to facilitate the entry of Iraqis into it, especially for the sake of the economy and academic exchange. 

The EU Ambassador to Iraq, Thomas Seiler, said: “The partnership between the EU and Iraq is intense and built on trust, and there is cooperation in many areas, especially with regard to modernizing the state and democracy, and reintegrating Iraq into the international system in terms of international rules and standards, such as the World Trade Organization.”

 Trade and investment

Sayler expressed his hope for increasing trade and investment exchange with Iraq.[/rtl]

He pointed out that "the volume of trade exchange between the European Union and Iraq is not sufficient yet, it is not even half the volume of Iraq's trade balance with China," stressing that "increasing bilateral trade and European investments in Iraq is one of our main policy goals in 2025."

 Iraq's diplomacy

Regarding regional and global developments, he explained that "the European Union is in continuous consultations with the Iraqi government on regional developments, and we exchange views and try to work together to face challenges, especially the situation in Syria now," expressing "the European Union's great appreciation for the successful position of the Iraqi government to calm tensions."

He also noted that "it is certain that the Iraqi consultations with Iran regarding the security situation in the region have a positive impact," stressing that "no issue in the region can be resolved through violence, but only through diplomacy and dialogue."

European visas

Regarding entry visas for Iraqis to the European Union, Sailer explained that "this is the responsibility of the twenty-seven member states of the European Union," stressing that "the European Union is aware of the increasing positive development of the security situation in Iraq."

We are working with member states to find out how to facilitate the entry of Iraqis, especially for economic and academic exchange," he added.

 Development path

The EU ambassador concluded his remarks to Al-Sabah by saying: “For the European Union, the (Iraqi Development Road) project is a major infrastructure project for the entire region,” indicating that “the Union is actively participating with the Iraqi government and with Turkey to find out the best ways to implement the project, as well as with the participation of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,” and he stressed that “European companies are working in (the Grand Faw Port) and we want to expand our cooperation.”  139 views  12/23/2024 - https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=51192

During 2025.. Cautious Anticipation Of The Economic And Financial Reality In Iraq

Baghdad Today – Baghdad  WEconomic expert Ahmed Al-Tamimi confirmed today, Sunday (December 22, 2024), that Iraq is heading towards a cautious situation regarding its economic and financial situation during the year 2025.

Al-Tamimi told Baghdad Today: “Expectations and data confirm that Iraq is facing hot events at the beginning of the new year, and these events will have repercussions and reflections on the country’s financial and economic reality, especially with the imminent assumption of the presidency of the White House by US President-elect Donald Trump, and the fear of imposing some sanctions and financial tightening on Iraq in order to limit the smuggling of the dollar as well as limiting the Iranian role through these economic pressures.”

He added, "There is extreme caution regarding the financial and economic reality of Iraq at the beginning of the new year, especially since the Iraqi economic situation is greatly affected by any security or political event, and for this reason everyone is anticipating the coming days, and this matter has led to a decline in the buying and selling of real estate and other valuable items, for fear of any expected economic and financial shock."

The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed last Monday that the situation in Syria does not affect the Iraqi economy or the dollar exchange rate in the local market, noting that “the government and the Central Bank have taken several important measures to confront the security and economic challenges in the country, especially in light of the deteriorating situation in Syria.”  LINK