An Expert Warns Of A Return To Rising Inflation Rates Globally.. What Is The Connection To The Iraqi Markets?, 23 JULY

 Money  and business   Economy News – Baghdad  Economist Ziad Al-Hashemi warned on Monday of the possibility of inflation rates rising again globally with the continuation of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea region.

Al-Hashemi said in a post on the Ax website that there are "fears of inflation rates rising again globally with the continuation of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea region for the sixth consecutive month, and Iraqi markets are on the list of those affected!"

He added, "The global economy has begun to feel the pressures of rising costs and prices as a result of the continued disruption of transport chains between Asia and Europe, with the Houthi attacks continuing for the sixth month and the diversion of shipping routes away from the Red Sea.

Shipping prices have quadrupled on a monthly basis from $1,890 in the first month of 2024 to more than $8,000 during the seventh month, per FEU container."

He stated that "during the past period, many international economic and financial experts have downplayed the effects of the disruption of maritime transport routes due to Houthi attacks, and their negative repercussions on the prices of goods and services in Western economies, especially the consumer price index (one of the most important indicators for assessing the path of inflation),

 but with the continuation of security risks and threats in the Red Sea region, the continued rise in transport prices, and the imminent expiration of many long-term contracts with fixed freight rates, many convictions and analyses have changed."

Al-Hashemi stressed, "We have growing concern that the large increases in shipping prices will lead to significant increases in the prices of goods and products in Western markets, which will put pressure on inflation rates that have gradually begun to decline and reach the targeted levels."

He added, "These price pressures may lead to inflation rates rising again, which means that the efforts and endeavours of central banks to curb inflation in the West have faltered, and this will greatly hinder and delay the start of the process of reducing interest rates, which global markets are eagerly awaiting."

He pointed out that "concerns in the markets continue and are increasing with the continuation of military operations, the disruption of transportation routes, and the rise in transportation prices to significant levels, especially with the absence of light at the end of the tunnel of this crisis, and eyes will focus more on inflation rates, and waiting to see how things will develop."

Regarding the impact on the Iraqi markets, Al-Hashemi confirmed that they are “highly affected by changes in shipping prices coming from Asia, and increases in shipping prices can directly and quickly affect the prices of imported goods, and this may be one of the reasons for the rise in commodity prices in the Iraqi markets during the first half of 2024.”

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