A law that specifies 5 conditions that must be met by the candidate for governor of the Central Bank
On Sunday, legal expert Ahmed Al-Bawi commented on the circulating names and the potential nomination of a new governor for the Central Bank of Iraq. Al-Bawi emphasized the importance of meeting five specific conditions for any candidate seeking to fill this position.
Al-Bawi stated in an interview with “Jarida” that the selection of any individual for a position of responsibility must be based on solid principles, primarily integrity, followed by scientific expertise, administrative experience, and the courage to make bold decisions, especially in light of the challenging economic situation that the Iraqi economy is currently facing.
“The candidate needs to propose innovative and practical solutions to prevent the further appreciation of the US dollar and the devaluation of the Iraqi dinar. They should also ensure that the political leaders provide assurances for the restructuring of the central bank and other financial institutions and eliminate any corrupt practices that are currently impacting the currency auctions.”
He stated that the ideal candidate should have a clear plan for handling the American Federal Reserve. It is also acceptable if the candidate has a distinguished background in international relations, as long as they use their experience to benefit the public. Additionally, Iraqi law prohibits any individual from holding a position if they have ongoing cases or charges against them in the Iraqi courts. However, it has yet to be determined whether these requirements will be enforced.
The dinar cannot go up in value until Iraq diversifies and creates significant economic growth. The current conditions in Iraq will continue to keep the dinar weak...Until they pass laws...there will be no change. We have a window now over the next three years...
Pimpy
It's definitely going to revalue. They're under sanctions, as soon as the sanctions are lifted and Iraq can get their crap together then definitely it'll be done...If they remove the sanctions I'm curious to see if they're going to go up in increment or are they going to just reinstate the $3.22 rate. That's always a possibility..
Released from their sanctions that's what we're really waiting for.
So even if we woke up in themorning and you found out the Iraqi dinar had been reinstated to$3.22, Hallelujah, We're rich right?!? Jumping around celebrating.
But where are you going to redeem your dinar at if they are still under sanctions?
Your options are going to be very limited here inthe United States. Chase Bank still deals with the Iraqi dinars butnot a lot of other companies or banks do just because of thesanctions...Will they be released from their sanctions before the revaluation or if they do an RI will they be released from their sanctions?
Surge in Dollar Prices Strikes Baghdad and Erbil Amid Stock Exchange Closure
The cities of Baghdad and Erbil in Iraq were hit by a significant surge in dollar prices on Monday, coinciding with the closure of key stock exchanges. In Baghdad, the exchange rate escalated to 166,800 dinars for 100 dollars, a notable increase from the morning’s rate of 164,250 dinars. Local exchange shops followed suit, raising their selling prices to 167,750 Iraqi dinars for 100 dollars. Similarly, in Erbil, the selling price spiked to 166,250 dinars for 100 dollars.
Underlying Factors and Implications
The accelerated dollar prices are primarily linked to rampant speculation on the stock exchanges and an ongoing scarcity of supply in the market. The closure of the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges disrupted the usual flow of currency exchange, leading to a dollar shortage. This gap has fueled speculation and increased demand, pushing the prices up. The situation is further worsened by the existence of “black transfers”—illegal or unregulated money transfers utilized by small merchants for their imports. Despite government measures to curb them, these black transfers continue to operate, contributing to the crisis.
Seeking Solutions
The Iraqi government, along with the central bank, bears the responsibility of resolving this crisis. One suggested approach involves engaging in dialogue and negotiation with the American side to tackle the issue of black transfers. The government aims to legitimize and regulate these transfers to bridge the gap between the official and parallel exchange rates. However, this solution necessitates cooperation and coordination between various stakeholders, both within Iraq and with external partners.
Economic and Geopolitical Implications
The surge in dollar prices carries broader implications for the Iraqi economy. The high exchange rate has led to an increase in the prices of goods and commodities, affecting the purchasing power of Iraqi citizens. The rising cost of living strains households, especially those with limited income. It also impacts businesses negatively, as higher import costs and inflationary pressures challenge profitability. Besides, the surge in dollar prices coincides with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Iraq. His presence in the region amid warnings from Iran-backed groups adds another layer of complexity to the situation, highlighting the need for diplomatic efforts to maintain stability in the region.
Iraq’s Central Bank Witnesses Surge in Foreign Exchanges Amid Economic Challenges
The Central Bank of Iraq’s (CBI) foreign exchanges have witnessed a substantial 86% rise, hitting a marked $199 million in cash sales. These transactions, covered at an exchange rate of 1,305 dinars per dollar for various exchanges and at the rate of 1,310 dinars per dollar for foreign transfers, primarily bolstered balances abroad in the form of transfers and credits, amounting to $199,757,755. Cash dollar purchases were made by four banks, while 22 others sought to enhance their foreign balances. A total of 48 exchange and intermediary companies engaged in the auction.
Implications of Rising Dollar Prices
Despite this significant increase, concerns over escalating dollar prices in Baghdad and Erbil have induced market closures. Adding to the economic instability are reported Turkish artillery attacks in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Further exacerbating the economic challenges is the surge in gold prices in both cities.
US Federal Reserve Restrictions: A Restricting Factor
Moeen al-Kadhimi, an Iraqi lawmaker, attributes the Iraqi government’s inability to control the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Iraqi dinar to the US Federal Reserve’s restrictions on external transfers from Iraqi banks. These impediments have affected daily transactions necessary for merchants, leading them to source US dollars from the parallel market, thereby inflating the exchange rate despite the Central Bank’s efforts.
Long-term Policies: The Need of the Hour
Al-Kadhimi proposes long-term policies to liberate Iraq’s financial system from growing US imposed restrictions. Suggestions include depositing oil deal revenues in the central bank instead of the US Federal Reserve and using other hard currencies in oil transactions. Al-Kadhimi perceives these restrictions as politically motivated. Despite market fluctuations, he opines that the Iraqi markets remain relatively stable. However, the consequences of rising dollar prices and market closures are significant for the economy and the Iraqi citizens.
Conflicting Reports and Speculations
Despite the challenges posed by these rising dollar prices, speculations on the Iranian Rial and the Dollar in Iraq have led to heavy losses. As the dollar recovers, dollar exchange rates in Iraq have seen a decline, and gold prices have dropped. The CBI has dismissed news about dealing with the ‘Libyan dollar’ as fake, hinting at potential misinformation.
The complexity of Iraq’s financial system is evident. While the CBI reports a significant increase in foreign exchanges, rising dollar prices, market closures, and US Federal Reserve restrictions continue to challenge the Iraqi economy. It is imperative for the government and relevant authorities to address these issues and implement long-term policies for financial stability and to mitigate impacts on Iraq’s citizens.