6 Scenarios That The Iraqi Central Bank Will Work On, Narrated By Al-Issawi, 17 SEPT

   Mawazine News – Baghdad  Economic expert Abdul Karim Al-Issawi said: “Today, the Central Bank of Iraq has actually moved to the stage of direct relations with correspondent banks, and it is in the experimental stage with monitoring the changes that occur in all the processes for the purpose of fortifying the transformation.”

Al-Issawi Told Mawazine News Agency: The Platform Aimed To Enhance Transparency And Ensure Compliance With International Laws, Especially With Regard To Combating Money Laundering And Terrorist Financing.

He pointed out that:

**Potential Benefits:

1. *Facilitating remittances*: Direct relationships may make remittances faster and more flexible.

2. *Reducing remittance costs*: Relying on a platform may require additional costs that may decline with the new system.

3. *Enhancing international confidence*: If these relationships are managed well, this may help enhance the international community’s confidence in the Iraqi banking system.

As for the potential challenges: He said: “

1. Compliance risks: Easing oversight could increase the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing, which could harm Iraq’s international reputation.

2. Complexity of banking operations: Some banks may face difficulties in managing complex international relationships directly without the mediation of the Central Bank.

3. Impact on monetary policy: The Central Bank may lose some control over external capital flows, which could impact monetary policy.

It is important that this transition (if it occurs) be done gradually and thoughtfully, while ensuring that strong oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure that the Iraqi banking system is not exploited for illicit purposes.

The final decision will require a balance between benefits and risks, and will certainly have a significant impact on the Iraqi economy and international relations.

The economic expert stated that the Central Bank of Iraq is negotiating with the US Federal Reserve regarding ending the work of the electronic platform for foreign transfers and replacing it with direct banking relations between Iraqi banks.  https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=254919