Sunday Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 7-19-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Finance Minister: The IMF's praise for the reforms implemented by the government reflects growing international confidence in the Iraqi economy.
Finance Minister Faleh Sari affirmed on Saturday that the International Monetary Fund's praise for the reforms implemented by the Iraqi government reflects growing international confidence in the Iraqi economy, while stressing the continuation of reform programs to enhance financial stability and support sustainable development.
The minister said in a statement received by Al-Mirbad that "the meeting that brought together the government delegation headed by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi with the head of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva in the American capital, Washington, represents an important milestone to strengthen the partnership between Iraq and the International Monetary Fund, and to support the path of economic and financial reforms implemented by the government."
He added that "the IMF chief's praise for the reform measures, particularly in the areas of financial reform, combating corruption, and diversifying income sources, reflects growing international confidence in the Iraqi economy and in the government's steps aimed at building a more diversified and sustainable economy."
Sari noted that "the Ministry of Finance continues to implement its reform programs in coordination with national bodies and international partners, which contributes to enhancing financial stability, raising the efficiency of public financial management, improving the investment environment, and enabling the private sector to play a greater role in achieving sustainable economic development." link
Tishwash: Prime Minister's Advisor: 48 agreements with Washington are a step towards enhancing economic openness
Prime Minister’s Advisor Mazhar Muhammad Salih confirmed on Saturday that the 48 agreements with Washington are a step towards strengthening economic openness, while indicating that the memoranda of understanding with the United States reflect Iraq’s direction to attract foreign investments.
Saleh said in statements followed by Al-Mirbad that “the signing of 48 agreements, memoranda of understanding and a declaration of partnership between Iraq and the United States represents an important step in the path of economic openness and strengthening investment relations, but the real impact of these agreements will depend on the extent to which they are transformed from documents of understanding into practical projects that can be implemented.”
He added that "these memoranda reflect, from an economic standpoint, Iraq's desire to expand the base of international cooperation and attract foreign capital, which sends positive messages to investors and global markets that the Iraqi investment environment is witnessing a movement towards greater stability and openness."
Saleh explained that “the entry of international companies into the Iraqi market would contribute to the transfer of technology and administrative and technical expertise, raise the efficiency of productive sectors, create job opportunities, as well as support efforts to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues through investment in the energy, industry, infrastructure, communications and services sectors,” indicating that “these memoranda represent an indication of growing international confidence in Iraq’s economic potential, but this confidence will not be consolidated unless it is accompanied by real reforms in the investment environment, including simplifying administrative procedures, enhancing transparency, ensuring the protection of investors and providing legislative and security stability.”
Saleh pointed out that “foreign investors do not only look at the size of the signed agreements, but also at the state’s ability to fulfill its obligations and provide a stable business environment capable of achieving rewarding returns. The success of these memoranda will depend on the speed of moving to the implementation phase and removing the obstacles that have long faced investment projects in Iraq.”
He added that “the declaration of partnership with the public and private sectors represents a modern economic approach aimed at utilizing the capabilities of both parties in implementing development projects. The public sector owns the land, infrastructure, and legal and institutional framework, while the private sector possesses administrative expertise, the ability to finance, innovate, and use modern technologies. Through this model, joint projects can be implemented in the fields of energy, electricity, transportation, housing, industry, and services, according to the formulas of partnership between the public and private sectors, which reduces the financial burdens on the state and increases the efficiency of project management and accelerates their completion.”
Saleh pointed out that “these partnerships are expected to open new horizons for economic and financial cooperation, whether through direct investment, joint financing, the establishment of investment funds and the financing of infrastructure projects, as well as strengthening cooperation between banks and financial institutions to provide credit facilities and investment guarantees,” stressing that “in the medium and long term, these partnerships can contribute to raising the contribution of the private sector to the gross domestic product, stimulating economic growth, increasing non-oil revenues, and enhancing the competitiveness of the Iraqi economy.”
He stated that "achieving these results requires the continuation of economic reforms, the development of legal frameworks regulating partnerships, and ensuring transparency and governance in project implementation, so that agreements and memoranda of understanding are transformed into tangible economic achievements that positively impact development and economic stability in Iraq." link
************
Tishwash: Al-Zaidi affirms the strength of the economic partnership with the United States of America
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi attended a large business conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday, hosted in his honor by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The conference was attended by a large number of businessmen and traders, representatives of American companies, bankers, representatives of financial institutions and investment companies, and various industrial and technological sectors.
At the beginning of the conference, the Prime Minister delivered a speech in which he emphasized the government’s interest in communication, dialogue and cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce, as it represents the place where economic decisions are made, reiterating his keenness to present the great opportunities for investment and economic cooperation that are available today in the Iraqi arena, at various levels and fields.
The Prime Minister explained that the Iraqi economy today is looking for partners in development and modernization, not just contractors for implementation or supply. He pointed out that the government is working to transform Iraq's natural and mineral wealth into jobs that enhance prosperity and support economic growth rates.
After that, a number of prominent representatives of American companies spoke about their aspiration for an effective partnership with Iraq, in light of the encouraging economic approach adopted by the Iraqi government, which has taken clear steps in the field of institutional, financial and banking reform, and securing an open and suitable investment environment for the work of international companies, at the highest levels and volumes of investment. link
************
Tishwash: Al-Zaidi, after signing the agreements in Washington: Baghdad's doors are open to you.
On Friday, following the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding with American companies during the investment summit held in Washington, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced Iraq's intention to adopt an "open door" policy.
Al-Zaydi said in a speech during the signing ceremony, which was attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that this policy is to facilitate the work of foreign investments, stressing that these agreements represent the fruit of mutual trust between the Iraqi government and American companies.
He added that the signed memoranda of understanding reflect Baghdad’s confidence in the competence of American companies, and in return, the confidence of those companies in the promising future and economic prospects of Iraq, promising them to achieve their investment aspirations on the ground.
Al-Zaydi also extended an official invitation to American companies to visit the capital, Baghdad, as soon as possible, with the aim of developing a roadmap and a clear practical plan for implementing joint projects.
He stressed at the end of his speech that the doors of all Iraqi ministries and sectoral bodies will remain fully open to investors to overcome all obstacles and provide the necessary support to make their projects a success.
Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem al-Abadi signed an agreement with Syria to extend oil pipelines and another with American companies, according to what Shafaq News Agency correspondent Mustafa Hashim told Washington, D.C.
Earlier today, Adam Cortese, CEO of the American renewable energy companies Sun Africa and UGTR, revealed to Shafaq News Agency that the executive steps for developing a strategic solar energy project in Iraq have begun in cooperation with the Iraqi Kar Group, confirming the opening of an office in Baghdad to manage the planned project.
An informed source revealed to Shafaq News Agency last Tuesday that Iraq will sign more than 18 agreements with the United States in various fields, including politics, economy, industry, energy, oil, education, health, investment and armament.
This comes as part of the agenda of the official visit that began last Monday by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and his accompanying delegation, which included a number of ministers, senior officials, investors, business owners, and Iraqi capitalists.
Last Tuesday, during his meeting with al-Zaidi at the White House, US President Donald Trump announced that this week would see the unveiling of a major oil partnership with Iraq, in addition to extensive trade deals in various sectors. link
Tishwash: JPMorgan: Investment opportunities in Iraq are significant despite the challenges, and we look forward to increasing them.
The Managing Director and Head of the Government Sector Globally at JPMorgan Chase Bank confirmedMorgan, Masha Glukhovsky, from Washington In an exclusive interview with Alsumaria, he stated that Iraq It has promising investment opportunities, particularly in infrastructure projects, noting that the bank has been partnering with Iraq for more than two decades.
Glukhovsky said in an exclusive interview with Alsumaria NewsThe bank has contributed over the past 22 years to supporting Iraq By strengthening the role Iraqi Trade Bank(TBI), and offers
The company advises the government on credit ratings and participates in financing approximately 20 projects in collaboration with international credit guarantee institutions.
It added that infrastructure projects represent one of the most prominent areas of investment in the coming phase, emphasizing the continuation of...International support For Iraq, this will enhance the growth opportunities of these projects and increase the role of the private sector.”
Regarding the challenges, she explained that “the security and political situation in the region affects the investment environment,” expressing her hope for “improved stability in the coming months, which will support economic activity.”
She also pointed out that “the Iraqi economy’s dependence on oil presents a challenge,” emphasizing that “the government’s move towards diversifying the economy and strengthening the private sector is an important step towards building a more sustainable economy,” and expressing her aspiration to expand the partnership between JPMorgan And Iraq during the next phase." link
************
Tishwash: Iraq and Syria sign a memorandum to rehabilitate the Haditha-Banias pipeline. The US State Department says the oil pipelines will operate at a capacity of two million barrels per day.
Iraq and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding to rehabilitate the Haditha-Banias crude oil pipeline. The US State Department confirmed that the pipeline will operate at an initial capacity of two million barrels per day.
In a statement received by Al-Youm News, the State Department said: “The United States welcomes the intention of the Government of the Republic of Iraq and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to move forward with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Iraq-Syria crude oil pipeline as a priority infrastructure project of bilateral and regional strategic importance.”
The statement added: “Both countries recognize the strategic objective of restoring a vital energy corridor connecting Iraqi oil production to export markets in the Mediterranean and beyond.”
It continued: “The United States welcomes the participation of a US-led international consortium to implement the technical and financial aspects of this project. Upon rehabilitation, the pipeline will have an initial transport capacity of two million barrels per day of crude oil.”
She affirmed: “Today’s announcement represents a significant milestone for the region and for Syrian-Iraqi relations. The commitment of both countries to work together to rehabilitate and operate the pipeline, establish a legal framework, and engage constructively with the coalition will enhance security and stability through prosperity, which has been made possible thanks to the vision and leadership of President Donald J. Trump.” link