Friday, December 15, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE IRAQ ECONOMIC CONTACT GROUP OF THE G7, EUROPEAN UNION AND WORLD BANK, 15 DEC
STATEMENT OF THE IRAQ ECONOMIC CONTACT GROUP OF THE G7, EUROPEAN UNION AND WORLD BANK, 15 DEC
U.S. EMBASSY & CONSULATE
IN IRAQ
Emergency Information for American Citizens
5 MINUTE READ
DECEMBER 15, 2023
Statement of the Iraq Economic Contact Group of the G7, European Union and World Bank
December 2023
On December 12, the Iraq Economic Contact Group (IECG) held the final meeting of 2023, co-chaired by Italy and the United States. As friends and partners of Iraq, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the World Bank commit to supporting Iraq in the implementation of a comprehensive and ambitious reform agenda, paving the way to sustainable and inclusive economic development.
The IECG is eager to strengthen its engagement with the Government of Iraq (GOI) through regular dialogue at both the political and technical level. This engagement is crucial to streamline cooperation between the two sides, identify and support common goals, and support the GOI’s priority reform areas. The IECG commends Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani for appointing business and economics experts within his office and looks forward to collaborating with them.
The IECG was encouraged by Prime Minister Sudani’s announcement of new economic reform initiatives throughout 2023 and the passing of a historic three-year budget that laid the foundation for implementation of the government’s reform agenda. In October, Iraq gained membership to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) – a move strongly supported by the IECG as the first step to unlocking new sources of investment and enhanced cooperation with other multilateral and bilateral financial facilities.
In the past month, the government convened conferences on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and tax reform, including a new bank sector reform project with Rafidain Bank. Further, the GOI recently announced the establishment of the Iraq Fund for Development (IFD) alongside the Development Road project, and the Prime Minister strengthened economic ties with regional partners. The GOI’s efforts to expand the use of digital platforms for financial transactions, with electronic payment and other e-commerce mechanisms, represent important steps to minimize the informal economy and reduce opportunities for corruption.
Looking ahead to next year, the IECG welcomes further cooperation in support of Iraq’s economic and financial sector development, including Prime Minister Sudani’s policies to strengthen the dinar and oversee monetary policy. Clear communication of new dinar policies during the transition period will help avoid adverse effects on Iraqi households and businesses as well as on development cooperation projects and foreign investments in Iraq.
The IECG also stands ready to support Iraq’s next steps to becoming an EBRD Country of Operations, its journey toward World Trade Organization accession, and its potential partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB). EIB’s expertise in road, railroad, water and sanitation investments, climate action, environmental sustainability financing as well as urban transmission initiatives will accelerate key infrastructure measures and help facilitate a green transition.
The IECG urges further attention in 2024 to address the deficit and public sector wage bill, measures that would improve fiscal resilience. Timely budget execution will be critical to the GOI’s ability to sustain important infrastructure investment, particularly in expanding domestic power generation, distribution, and expansion of green energy. Long-term sustainable economic development is contingent on a dedicated response to pressing climate and environmental challenges. Sustained investment in water management and infrastructure is critical to counteract the debilitating impacts of climate change.
To accelerate private sector growth, the IECG encourages government action to identify and address the challenges faced by domestic and international business, including efforts to promote transparent and predictable regulations. In this vein, we welcome further progress on the PPP, Companies, Industrial Investment, Customs, and Arbitration laws as well as timely implementation of the recommendations from the recent PPP and tax reform conferences.
On January 1, Italy and the United States proudly hand over the IECG to incoming co-chairs France and the United Kingdom. Under their leadership, the IECG will continue to support an ambitious reform agenda, promote sustainable economic development, and stand by Iraq’s side as a reliable friend and partner in 2024.
"STATUS OF THE RV" BY DINAR IRAQ & DONG VIETNAM, 15 DEC
STATUS OF THE RV
"RV UPDATE" BY PIMPY, 15 DEC
Pimpy
Question: "Can Iraq get into the World Trade Organization with the currency exchange rate of 1310 to 1 US dollar?"
One of the key requirements for joining the WTO is establishing a convertible currency at a "realistic exchange rate"...the exchange rate of 1310 to 1 USD raises concerns about the convertibility and stability of Iraq's currency... There is no specific threshold for what constitutes a "realistic" exchange rate...It has to be a stable currency which means... Iraq must have a stable economy...When 95% of your budget is totally relied on oil sales that is not a stable economy. Iraq is going to have to build their private and public sectors...
Can Iraq go into the World Trade Organization with an exchange rate of 1310 dinar? Yes...if the dinar is stable.
When this thing happens and it's gonna happen...we have no idea about 2024. That doesn't mean it can't happen in 2024. I'm anticipating a rate change happening in the first quarter as they get away from using the dollar and they use the dinar more, as they start doing business with these countries they did a currency swap with, the demand for dinar will increase and is it'll go up in value.
Sudanese: Economic reform is the gateway to financial and banking reform, 15 DEC
Sudanese: Economic reform is the gateway to financial and banking reform
12/14/2023
The Prime Minister, “Mohamed Shiaa Al-Sudani,” said today, Thursday, that: “Economic reform is the gateway to financial and banking reform,” while noting that “the government is committed to providing the dollar at the official rate, and stressed its keenness to end the suffering Kurdistan employees due to the delay in their salaries”
Al-Sudani said in a televised interview followed by “Al-Mutalaa” that: “Conducting the population census is the first step in implementing Article 140 of the Constitution. It was postponed to May 2024 after it had been scheduled.”
It was held this year due to the provincial council elections,” pointing out, “It is time to remove the outstanding problems between Baghdad and Erbil, which lie in the border crossings and the budget.” He added, “We went to borrow from the Ministry Finance to pay the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees, and we are in favor of finding a solution with a legal amendment that considers Kurdistan Region employees as equal to the rest of Iraq’s employees,” stressing that “the government is keen to end the suffering of the Kurdistan employees’ salaries crisis.”
He stressed on the part of Another, “Economic reform is the gateway to financial and banking reform, and the issue of the exchange rate requires this reform, and we are committed to providing the dollar at the official rate to merchants, investors, contractors, students, and travelers.”
He pointed out that “95 percent of our trade now passes through Through the electronic platform, there are those who circumvent the law and buy the dollar at the parallel price. Because he does not want to apply legal procedures.” He stressed, “We will not accept that the official dollar price is equal to the parallel price; Because this encourages smuggling.”
Regarding foreign trade, Al-Sudani said: “There is no problem on the Iranian side in dealing commercially with Iraq in the dinar or toman currencies.”
He continued: “The problem of commercial transfers to Turkey was solved by opening accounts in the Turkish lira.” He stressed that “food prices maintained their stability, despite the attempts of manipulators to speculate on the price of the dollar.” LINK
"RV UPDATE" BY MARKZ, 15 DEC
MarkZ
[via PDK] A lot has happened over the 14th and the 15th and more is expected to happen over the next couple of days. We have seen tremendous progress over the last few days…behind the scenes...I absolutely think we are finally here.
When we first got into this and looked at the Vietnamese dong we were hopeful it would come out around .30 to .36 cents. Which is still amazing. But I have not heard it was going to be that low. I am still hearing it will be between $2 and $3.
In Iraq: “Central Bank achieves a new step in the right direction to regulate foreign trade.” Also the CBI just wrapped up meetings with the US Treasury and the Federal Reserve about “Becoming International” and they are content with the changes they have made for Iraq to be fully recognized internationally.
Most of my Iraqi people think we are within a couple of days. My banking people think we are within a couple of days. Just remember we don’t know the timing. But I am super excited.
FRANK26: SUDANI INTENTIONS ARE VERY CLEAR, 25 NOV
Frank26 Monetary reform education right now is at a very high peak where we can see very clearly. Sudani intentions are very clear.....
-
Frank26 [Bank story] This time we didn't go down, we just called [the bank]... We said we want to see if we can exchange some cu...
-
Bank appointment for Currency EXCHANGE Instructions/Checklist Bank Name_________________________________________ Bank 800#____________...
-
Walkingstick All these meetings that the CBI had with all these agencies that were helping them with their monetary reform are done. Al...