Iraq is moving to support its assets with the Chinese yuan to finance imports amounting to $12 billion annually, 11 NOV

 Iraq is moving to support its assets with the Chinese yuan to finance imports amounting to $12 billion annually

Opening bank accounts in Indian rupees for Iraqi banks to finance trade worth $3 billion

A government source in Iraq said that officials from the Central Bank of Iraq held “intensive meetings” with American officials in Abu Dhabi in recent days to discuss external transfers to cover imports.

The source added that Iraq has strengthened its assets denominated in the yuan through the Singapore Development Bank to finance Iraqi trade and imports with China by about 12 billion dollars annually.

The source stated that the oil-exporting country also moved to strengthen its assets in UAE dirhams and is negotiating to increase its assets denominated in euros to finance trade with the European Union, according to what was reported by Iraqi news agency “Inaa.”

The source said that negotiations with the American side reached a set of decisions and mechanisms that contribute to facilitating procedures for foreign transfers related to imports through the foreign currency sales window.

He added, "It was agreed to enhance the advance balance of five Iraqi banks in their dollar accounts with Jordanian banks and transfers via JP Morgan Bank," noting that "the problems related to the rejected transfers were resolved, and it was agreed that the rejection of transfers should be based on strong reasons."

He continued: “There were also other meetings that brought together one of the Emirati banks, the Central Bank of Iraq, and the American side, to implement the mechanism for enhancing balances in the Emirati dirham for Iraqi banks,” indicating that “things are going well in this regard, as all technical details related to the issue have been resolved, and it is expected to begin.” The mechanism for enhancing balances in UAE dirhams during the next few days.”

He stressed that “there are serious negotiations that have reached their final stages to enhance the balances of some Iraqi banks in euros with UBAF Bank to finance trade with the European Union,” noting “an increase in the number of banks whose balances are being enhanced.” In Chinese yuan through the Singapore Development Bank.”

The source also reported that bank accounts had begun to be opened in the Indian rupee for a number of Iraqi banks at the same correspondent, the Singapore Development Bank (New Delhi branch), and operations to enhance the balance of two Iraqi banks had actually been completed as a first stage, and it is expected that this mechanism will contribute In financing Iraq's imports from India, especially medicines and foodstuffs, which are estimated at about 3 billion dollars  link