Friday, December 15, 2023
"RV UPDATE" BY GOLDILOCKS & BREITLING, 15 DEC
Goldilocks
Iraq has completed all of their banking competencies required by the CBI in Iraq to meet International Banking Standards. And tomorrow, they are expected to finish their banking reforms with their managers per a recent article.
Breitling
Question: "These articles that keeps coming out where starting January 1st commercial transaction will only be in dinar - How significant is that? To me it sounds significant. " Yeah, that's a big deal. It is. It's a super big deal because at a minimum it's the beginning of the end for them raising the value of their currency. It will be the beginning of it for sure.
Question: "Does Iraq need to RI by December 31st in order to open their 2024 budget?" No. I get that question every year. I don't know why. Who's putting that out there?
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.
After the decision to cancel the platform.. Will we witness a crazy rise in dollar prices in Iraq?, 29 NOV
After the decision to cancel the platform.. Will we witness a crazy rise in dollar prices in Iraq? SumerianNews – Local In a move that has...
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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...
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Bank appointment for Currency EXCHANGE Instructions/Checklist Bank Name_________________________________________ Bank 800#____________...
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Walkingstick All these meetings that the CBI had with all these agencies that were helping them with their monetary reform are done. Al...