Some “Iraq News” Posted by Tishwash at TNT 5-25-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: The Central Bank imposes a "harsh sorting" of banks... and the National Bank of Iraq raises its capital to 650 billion!
The National Bank of Iraq announced in an official statement the approval of increasing its capital to 650 billion Iraqi dinars, in a move that reflects accelerating trends within the Iraqi banking sector towards strengthening financial solvency and raising levels of compliance with regulatory standards.
According to the statement, this increase comes as part of a plan aimed at supporting the bank's ability to expand its operations, enhance customer confidence, and keep pace with changes in the financial environment within Iraq.
In the same context, banking sources revealed to Al-Mustaqilla that the Central Bank of Iraq continues to impose increasing regulatory pressure on banks operating in the country, by setting high capital ceilings as a basic condition for the continuation of activity within the market.
The sources explained that the next phase may witness a real “reshuffling” of the banking sector, where only banks that raise their capital and adhere to strict compliance standards will be allowed to remain in the market, as part of a policy aimed at reducing risks and enhancing financial stability.
Observers believe that these moves reflect a new phase in the Iraqi banking system, the most prominent feature of which is restructuring and raising the requirements for continuity, which may push a number of banks to merge or reduce their activity if they are unable to keep up with these conditions link
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Tishwash: Iraq and China discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral and Legal Affairs, Ambassador Shorsh Khalid Saeed, met today, Sunday, at the Ministry building, with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Iraq, Cui Wei, on the occasion of the end of his diplomatic mission. They discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural fields.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that during the meeting, the course of bilateral relations between the Republic of Iraq and the People's Republic of China was reviewed, along with ways to strengthen joint cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural fields, as well as exchanging support and coordination in international organizations in a manner that serves the interests of the two friendly countries.
The two sides also discussed the security situation in the region, emphasizing the importance of supporting stabilization efforts and strengthening international cooperation to contribute to consolidating security and development.
The Undersecretary praised the role played by the Chinese Ambassador during his tenure in Iraq and his efforts in strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields, particularly political, economic, and energy sectors, wishing him success in his future diplomatic endeavors.
For his part, the Chinese ambassador expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his tenure in Iraq, affirming that the new Chinese ambassador will continue working to promote China's vision of supporting stability and development in Iraq, as well as supporting the presence of Chinese companies and expanding investment opportunities in the Iraqi market. link
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Tishwash: Government advisor: New financial strategy to raise non-oil revenues to 45%
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, revealed that the government is moving towards adopting a new financial strategy aimed at raising the contribution of non-oil revenues in the general budget to 45% by diversifying the economy and reducing dependence on crude oil.
Saleh told Al-Furat News that “Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, during the historic meeting with the Iraqi financial authority held on May 23, 2026, outlined a firm vision for building the future of public finance in the country,” explaining that “the new beginning came from a fundamental pillar represented by announcing the alternative path for public finance and Iraqi financial policy.”
He added that “diversifying public revenues and breaking dependence on the single resource of crude oil, and ending the Iraqi economy’s connection to the geopolitical risks of the energy market, has become a necessity that must be achieved,” noting that “the Strait of Hormuz shock has reaffirmed the importance of redrawing future maps by adopting economic and financial diversification.”
Saleh explained that “redesigning Iraq’s vision for the period 2020-2025 should be based on the principle of economic diversification based on a genuine partnership between the state and the productive private sector, while launching a suitable environment for a productive social market economy,” noting that “the plan aims to raise the contribution of non-oil revenues from less than 10% currently to about 45% as a first stage.”
He added that "achieving this percentage requires a fundamental shift in the philosophy of public finance, from merely distributing resources to operating and producing them, through establishing a strong relationship with the market economy based on institutions, efficiency and production."
Saleh pointed out that "the future Iraq must be based on the efficient diversification of budget resources and sources of GDP, in line with the national strategy for developing market forces and the private sector."
Saleh stressed that “transforming the general budget into a development action plan represents an important reform step in managing the national economy, because it moves it from a tool for distributing expenditures to a tool for directing development and achieving the state’s strategic goals.”
He added that "previous budgets were linked to operational spending, especially salaries and subsidies, which made the margin for developmental investment limited, while the new approach means moving to a model based on advance planning, setting priorities and measuring results."
Saleh continued, "This transformation requires a change in the philosophy of the state's management of public resources, so that the budget is based on programs and objectives and not just on traditional items, and that every dinar spent must have a tangible economic and social impact."
He pointed out that “involving the private sector in implementing development projects is a key element for the success of this approach, because it reduces the burden on the state, enhances implementation efficiency, and increases the dynamism of the economy,” stressing that “enhancing transparency and activating oversight and accountability are essential conditions to ensure the success of the plan.”
Saleh concluded by saying that “the success of this approach remains dependent on the ability of institutions to implement it effectively and not just to plan or announce it, because international experiences have proven that the real difference between successful plans and those that remain just ink on paper lies in the efficiency of management, the stability of decision-making, and the commitment to continuous reform.”
He explained that “linking the budget to a clear strategic vision and managing it with a results-based methodology can transform it into an effective development tool for building a more sustainable and diversified economy.” link
Tishwash: Experts: The Financial Stability Board contributes to supporting fiscal and monetary policies.
Financial and economic experts and specialists considered the formation of the Financial Stability Council by the government an important step towards supporting fiscal and monetary policies by maximizing revenues and protecting the national currency, while they stressed the importance of adopting comprehensive economic and structural reforms to achieve financial sustainability and diversify the national economy and revenues.
Unifying financial and monetary decisions
Economic expert Ahmed Al-Majidi told Al-Sabah: “The step of forming a Supreme Council for Financial Stability is one of the important steps at this time, because it reflects a trend towards unifying financial and monetary decisions within an institutional framework capable of facing current economic challenges, especially in light of fluctuations in oil prices and global and regional financial pressures.”
He added, “The presence of the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank within the membership of the Council gives this formation great importance, because coordination between fiscal policy and monetary policy is essential for maintaining economic stability, protecting the value of the national currency, and enhancing confidence in the Iraqi economy.” He explained that “the Council can contribute to managing liquidity, controlling spending, maximizing non-oil revenues, in addition to supporting the banking and financial reforms needed in the next stage.”
Supporting the investment environment
He continued: "If the council is given clear powers and operates according to an integrated economic vision, it can form a real platform for making quick and effective decisions to confront crises, enhance financial stability, support the investment environment, and reduce the impact of economic shocks on the citizen and the local market."
For his part, economic researcher and academic Dr. Salem Al-Bayati told Al-Sabah: “One of the priorities of any country is to secure economic security in all its details, especially in formulating monetary and fiscal policy,” explaining that “the internal and external challenges facing the country require the state to set clear priorities for managing the current stage.”
Cash management and state funds
He added that "the government sought to provide the basic requirements for the citizen through managing the money and state funds, and despite the difficulties, it was able to secure a level of monetary stability and economic activity and maintain the citizen's purchasing power," noting that "these efforts are important solutions, but they still need integrated economic policies."
Al-Bayati pointed to “the need for the new government to adopt a comprehensive economic policy that includes fiscal and monetary policy, while supporting the independence of financial institutions and strengthening them with specialized personnel, especially since the government headed by Al-Zidi has taken an important step, which is the formation of a Supreme Council for Financial Stability, which will work to achieve a balance between the money coming into the state and what is being pumped into the markets in hard currencies, and this will lead to strengthening revenues and protecting the national currency.”
Developing productive sectors
He called for "developing various productive sectors to ensure food security, preserve the country's currency reserves, and control both local and foreign currencies." Al-Bayati emphasized the importance of "imposing oversight on border crossings and customs and preventing corrupt individuals from controlling public funds," stressing "the necessity of establishing and effectively implementing strict regulations and laws." He also called for "improving the financial situation by increasing production, providing diverse job opportunities, supporting the private sector, and utilizing the potential of young people in the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors, while adopting integrated policies that prevent conflicting projects and avoid creating new crises."
Geopolitical challenges
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Hadhhal, a professor of economics and financial expert, told Al-Sabah newspaper: “Iraq’s financial situation is facing exceptional and complex pressures as a result of geopolitical challenges, fluctuations in energy markets, and disruptions to international trade, in addition to chronic structural imbalances linked to near-total dependence on oil revenues.” He explained that “the government, the Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank have managed over the past two months to manage the situation with a degree of financial and monetary containment by maintaining the stability of salaries and sovereign spending, securing the market’s needs for foreign currency and basic commodities, and preventing rumors from escalating into widespread monetary instability.”
Regular government funding
He added that "the Central Bank continued to manage monetary stability, the exchange rate, and control liquidity and inflation levels, while the Ministry of Finance succeeded in maintaining regular government financing despite increasing pressures on the general budget."
Hathal explained that "the current stage requires moving from traditional budget management to comprehensive economic crisis management based on sustainability and fiscal discipline," calling for "restructuring public spending and activating electronic systems for financial management, taxes, customs and collection to reduce waste and corruption and maximize non-oil revenues."
Controlling operating expenses
He pointed to the importance of "controlling unproductive operating expenses and directing resources towards productive and strategic sectors, while adopting conservative oil prices and expanding organized domestic financing tools such as treasury bills and investment bonds."
He stressed that "improving Iraq's financial situation in the medium and long term requires a comprehensive structural reform to diversify the economy and increase the contribution of agriculture, industry, energy and logistics to the gross domestic product, in addition to developing the investment environment and partnership with the private sector."
He concluded by saying, "The real challenge is not limited to financing the current budget, but rather lies in building a state capable of achieving financial and economic sustainability and protecting the social and economic security of future generations." Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi had chaired the first meeting of the Financial Stability Council.
The Prime Minister's Media Office stated in a press release that "Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi chaired the first meeting of the Financial Stability Council, which was included in the ministerial program, and which included the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq." Al-Zaidi emphasized "the importance of achieving financial stability due to its developmental and economic impacts," noting "the necessity of close coordination between the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance, and the need to make financial decisions that support stability, which will positively impact the government's development, service, and economic plans link