Saturday Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 10-17-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: President Al-Zaydi: The cabinet formation is complete and we have filled the vacant portfolios.
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi confirmed on Thursday that the cabinet formation is complete five months after the government was formed, stressing the commitment to implementing the government program's priorities and responding to the aspirations of Iraqis.
Al-Zaydi said in a statement received by Iraq Observer that the government has worked diligently and persistently over the past months under extremely complex internal and external circumstances, explaining that the war in the region has imposed, and continues to impose, exceptional economic challenges on Iraq, in addition to security challenges that require the highest levels of responsibility and vigilance.
He added that the government continued to implement its ministerial program approved by the House of Representatives, worked to address complex issues and confront corruption, and took steps to strengthen the country’s sovereignty and independence of decision, leading to the end of the international coalition’s military presence in Iraq.
He explained that the completion of the cabinet formation and the appointment of deputies to the Prime Minister represent support for the government’s ability to manage national issues, and enhance coordination to implement the commitments and programs that citizens are waiting for.
He pointed out that the next stage requires doubling efforts and turning plans and decisions into tangible results that are reflected in the daily lives of citizens.
Al-Zaydi thanked the House of Representatives and the political forces for their contribution to completing the formation of the government, calling on the Deputy Prime Ministers and the ministers who gained the confidence of the Council to bear their responsibilities with the highest degrees of commitment, efficiency and integrity, and to harness their capabilities to serve the citizens and work in the spirit of one team to achieve the government’s goals link
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Tishwash: US State Department: The Iraqi market offers promising investment opportunities for American companies.
The US State Department affirmed that the Iraqi market offers promising trade and investment opportunities for American companies and exporters, noting that strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries requires improving the business environment and addressing regulatory challenges, in addition to implementing reforms that support Iraq’s path to joining the World Trade Organization.
The ministry stated that government contracts, particularly in the energy sector, provide opportunities for commercial and investment expansion, as Iraq seeks to attract foreign investment and strengthen local industries.
In a related context, data from the Office of the US Trade Representative showed that the volume of trade between Iraq and the United States declined to about $10.4 billion during 2025, compared to 2024, which recorded a higher level of about $1.6 billion.
Trade in goods between the two countries amounted to about $7.9 billion, distributed between US exports to Iraq worth $1.7 billion, and US imports of Iraqi goods worth about $6.3 billion.
U.S. imports of Iraqi goods fell by 16.8% year-on-year, while U.S. exports to Iraq declined by 1.2%, shrinking the U.S. trade deficit in goods with Iraq to $4.6 billion, a decrease of 21.2%.
As for trade in services, its volume reached about $2.4 billion, with US service exports to Iraq declining by 15.5% to reach $1.9 billion, compared to an increase in US imports of Iraqi services by 2.1% to $541 million.
The United States' surplus in services trade with Iraq also decreased by 21%, to about $1.4 billion during 2025.
The US State Department stressed that Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization requires fundamental regulatory reforms that would create a business environment and expand the integration of the Iraqi economy into the global trading system link
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Tishwash: Al-Mashhadani: The Iraqi economy cannot be fixed by changing the exchange rate alone.
Economic expert Abdul Rahman Al-Mashhadani affirmed on Saturday that raising the dollar exchange rate might provide quick and temporary liquidity to the state treasury, but it does not constitute financial reform in itself without comprehensive strategic plans.
Al-Mashhadani told the Information Agency, "True financial reform in Iraq lies in building a genuine, diversified revenue system, working to recover smuggled funds and assets, and reducing wasteful spending within the state apparatus."
He added, "Improving the economic situation requires shifting from total dependence on oil and the dollar's pricing to a modern financial management approach that measures tangible results and generates sustainable, non-oil revenues."
He pointed out that "relying on temporary solutions by manipulating the currency harms citizens' purchasing power and is ineffective. The optimal alternative lies in revitalizing productive sectors such as industry and agriculture to strengthen the stability of the national currency." link
Tishwash: The International Monetary Fund announces its support for Iraq through a loan program.
The head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, announced on Saturday that the Fund intends to strongly support Iraq through a much-needed loan program, stressing that the support will include both financial and policy aspects, while noting that intensive discussions are underway with the Lebanese authorities regarding a support program.
Speaking at a press conference concluding the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Bangkok, Georgieva said the Fund would provide Iraq with financial and policy support, adding that talks with Lebanese authorities were making significant progress toward approving a loan program.
She added that the talks on the program had made great progress, with some issues remaining that required joint work, expressing her confidence that an agreement could be reached.
In another context, Georgieva stressed the need for regulators and supervisors to be fully aware of the risks posed by non-bank financial institutions, cyberattacks, and fraud.
She explained that the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which were hosted by Bangkok in recent days, were characterized by a mixture of optimism and concern.
She stressed the importance of central banks focusing on maintaining price stability, noting that IMF members discussed weaknesses in economic resilience, given the depletion of energy reserves and financial resources link
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Tishwash: Security stability is the key to economic recovery: A member of parliament reveals to Iraq Observer the gateway to attracting investments to Iraq
Iraq's ability to balance consolidating security and enhancing economic performance is crucial, given the interconnectedness and mutual influence of national issues. Sustainable security is a fundamental pillar for creating an attractive investment environment capable of drawing in companies and capital and driving development. Meanwhile, economic reforms require a stable political and security climate to ensure tangible results.
MP Taha al-Difai emphasized that security, political, and economic issues are closely intertwined, and a genuine economic revival cannot be achieved without political and security stability. He pointed out that providing a safe and stable environment would encourage local and foreign companies to enter the Iraqi market and invest their capital in projects that contribute to revitalizing the national economy.
Al-Difai told Iraq Observer, "The government has succeeded in working simultaneously to strengthen security and monopolize weapons in the hands of the state, alongside taking practical steps to stimulate the economy and attract investments, particularly in the energy sector, by providing suitable investment opportunities and offering the necessary facilities to companies wishing to operate in Iraq."
He added that “ensuring a stable business environment is a crucial factor in boosting investor confidence, paving the way for project implementation, job creation, and more effective economic activity,” emphasizing the importance of coordination between security and economic tracks to guarantee the achievement of development goals.
Given the challenges facing the Iraqi economy, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive government vision that links security stability with economic reform, translates the measures taken into tangible investment opportunities that positively impact citizens' lives, contributes to diversifying income sources, and reduces dependence on oil revenues, thereby enhancing the national economy's capacity for growth and sustainability. link