Al-Nusairi: Monetary policy indicators for 2024 confirm that the Central Bank is the first economic institution in Iraq, 6 JAN

  Al-Nusairi: Monetary policy indicators for 2024 confirm that the Central Bank is the first economic institution in Iraq

The economic and banking advisor and member of the International Union of Arab Bankers, Samir Al-Nusairi, confirmed that through accurate financial and statistical analysis, the Central Bank of Iraq revealed the positive indicators it achieved for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2022-2023, and also announced the suspension of work on the electronic platform on 12/31/2024.

Al-Nusairi explained in an interview with "Al-Eqtisad News" that the success of the monetary policy adopted by the bank during the year 2024 and the positive indicators of business results for the third quarter/2024 compared to the same period for the years 2022-2023, which indicated the following: Total deposits in banks operating in Iraq achieved a growth of (4.2%), in contrast, cash credit granted by operating banks recorded a growth of (11.6%), and deposits in private banks operating in Iraq recorded a growth of (14%), in contrast, cash credit granted by private banks achieved a growth of (15.1%), in contrast, the broad money supply in Iraq recorded a growth of (3.3%) in the third quarter of 2024.

He added that the gold reserves of the Central Bank of Iraq recorded a significant growth of (57%), as their value reached (16) trillion dinars, compared to their value of (10.7) trillion dinars in the third quarter of 2023. The important thing is that the annual inflation rates recorded a percentage that is among the lowest annual inflation rates in the countries of the region for the months of August and September of 2024, as the rest of the percentage is acceptable at (3.7%) and (3.1%) respectively, and this reflects price stability, maintaining the general price rate, achieving the most important goals of monetary policy, and the success of monetary policy in Iraq.

Al-Nusairi stressed that by the end of 2024, it becomes clear beyond doubt that the procedures of the Central Bank of Iraq and the efforts it has made since the beginning of 2023 until now, with the support and cooperation of the government, have borne fruit and begun to yield positive results according to what was planned, with detailed procedures and administrative and technical steps and understandings

 To regulate the financing of foreign trade with Arab and international banks by approving the opening of accounts for Iraqi banks in American, Chinese, European, Emirati, Indian and Turkish correspondent banks to deal directly with them for foreign transfers in the currencies of these countries, which are the dollar, euro, Chinese yuan, Indian rupee, Emirati dirham, Turkish lira, Jordanian dinar and Saudi riyal,

And leaving the electronic platform in 2024 and allowing banks to supply dollars and foreign currencies into Iraq from their accounts with correspondent banks or abroad according to specific controls issued by the Central Bank of Iraq, as well as reaching the opening of many accounts for Iraqi banks in correspondent banks.

He pointed out that the strategy of the Central Bank of Iraq implemented in 2024 to reform the banking sector adopted the restructuring, development and classification of banks and increasing their capital to the ceiling set by the Central Bank according to the specified timetables, which led and will lead to raising the capabilities of Iraqi banks to provide the best banking products and services to customers and to the economy, investment and development and moving to comprehensive digital transformation and compliance with international standards and helps in lifting the restrictions imposed on our (28) private banks.

He pointed out that foreign transfers, which reach 97%, are made at the official exchange rate, and work is underway to facilitate foreign transfers for small traders and to identify speculators' plans to harm the Iraqi economy.

A foreign exchange reserve of 153 tons of gold has been maintained, with a cumulative reserve ratio of 140%, to cover imports and local currency in circulation and provide the necessary liquidity to meet the needs of the Ministry of Finance to implement the government's operating budget.

He also noted that the developmental measures for technical, technological and administrative infrastructure in the Central Bank are being implemented accurately and comprehensively in its banking reform strategy in all its axes, and are an embodiment of what it has specified in the roadmap that it has clarified in cooperation with the government in accordance with what is stated in the government's program in Axis 12 (Financial and Banking Reform) and Paragraph 7 thereof, which is related to developing and enabling banks to contribute to development and investment.

Al-Nusairi concluded his speech by saying that the efforts made by the Central Bank in 2024 are an affirmation of the soundness of the implementation of its third strategy for the years 2024-2026, and it is trying to achieve its main and subsidiary goals according to their timetables, with wishes for success and achieving economic stability because the primary duty of banks is to be (stability) banks.  link