MONETARY POLICY INDICATORS CONFIRM THE CENTRAL BANK WILL BE FIRST IN 2025
By Samir Al-Nassiri
In countries that adopt an institutionally managed economic system, each institution retains its independence and authority to manage economic affairs according to the methodology and philosophy that aims to achieve economic stability and the well-being of society.
Therefore, central banks receive special attention in most countries of the world as the sovereign and prudent economic institution concerned with achieving the above goal through the application of monetary policy tools and the realization of its objectives.
With the approach of the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, and following a review and analysis of the policies, programs, and procedures implemented by the Central Bank of Iraq in 2025—a year of political and economic challenges and crises, and numerous changes at the global and regional levels, which negatively and positively impacted the Iraqi economy—the Central Bank demonstrated its wisdom and efficiency in overcoming challenges and moving forward to achieve its objectives set for the next three years.
It also proved to be the leading economic institution in 2025. On this occasion, we must appreciate the outstanding efforts made by the specialized administrative and technical leaders and distinguished employees of the Central Bank who contributed effectively to the implementation of what was stated in the government program in Axis 12 (Financial and Banking Reform) during the years (2023-2025) and the Central Bank’s third strategy and the comprehensive banking reform project.
The launch of the financial inclusion strategy, the promotion of digital transformation, the activation of electronic payments, and the strengthening of cybersecurity. The Central Bank was able to achieve economic growth and stability in extremely complex economic, security, and political conditions, and was able to implement developmental, structural, and technological policies and programs, and take numerous measures in cooperation with the government to regulate foreign trade financing, control foreign transfers, integrate into the global financial and banking system, comply with international standards, and move to the electronic platform.
Achieving the main and sub-goals of its third strategy and starting to implement the comprehensive banking reform project according to the paths drawn up in cooperation with the global consulting firm Oliver Wyman to enable the banking sector to grow and develop and to be a solid, comprehensive, modern and flexible sector that works hard to build a rapidly growing national economy, contributes to development and investment, creates a cumulative increase in the gross domestic product, provides one million job opportunities for the unemployed, raises the market value of the private banking sector and achieves rewarding and sustainable returns for its investors. In addition to increasing foreign investment and achieving growth in financial inclusion, financing and deposits.
Analysis of monetary policy indicators as of the third quarter of 2025 indicates the building of foreign exchange reserves of around $100 billion. Gold reserves at the Central Bank recorded a significant growth rate of (64%), reaching a value of (27.552) billion dinars, equivalent to (173) tons during the same period, compared to a value of (16.817) billion dinars in the second quarter of 2024. The decrease in the issued currency contributed to a decrease in the inflation rate, which maintains the stability of the general price level, as the currency issued by the Central Bank recorded a decrease in the rate of (5.50%), reaching (99.681) billion dinars during the same period, compared to a value of (104.127) billion dinars in the second quarter of 2024.
The decrease in the inflation rate also indicates a decrease in the general price level, as inflation recorded a low rate of (76%), reaching (0.8%) compared to the second quarter of 2024, which reached (3.5%). This confirms that the Central Bank was able to build basic pillars for monetary and economic stability and achieve the most important objectives of monetary policy.
Therefore, I believe, with complete impartiality and transparency, that we should stand in respect for the efforts of the Central Bank and its distinguished staff who achieved the above.