Iraq to pay for imports from Turkey in Iraqi dinar, 26 DEC

 Iraq to pay for imports from Turkey in Iraqi dinar

Wadee Al-Handal, the Iraqi Private Banks League (IPBL) president, has announced that Iraq and Turkey will remain in constant communication in the coming days to fulfill their recent agreement on financing for foreign trade. The implementation of this agreement is being carried out under the direction of the Iraqi Government.

During a recent visit of Iraqi officials to Turkey, Al-Handal informed [the readers] that an Iraqi-Turkish committee was established. The committee aims to finance commerce and promote financial cooperation between the two countries.

According to the president of the IPBL, Turkey has shown exceptional adaptability in commerce funding by enabling Iraqi importers to make payments in Iraqi dinar and paying Turkish exporters in Turkish lira .

Al-Handal believes that the agreements Iraq has reached with its neighbors to finance international commerce in local currency would cause the US dollar exchange rate to decrease in the parallel market.

The president of IPBL announced that small-scale merchants importing goods from Turkey can finance those imports in Iraqi dinars through private banks in Iraq.

Al-Handal mentioned in the previous month that recent actions taken by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) and the government in relation to trade financing with various currencies, including the euro, UAE dirham, Chinese yuan, and Indian rupee, are a step towards decreasing the exchange rate of the US dollar in the parallel market.

Iraqi private banks are expanding international relations to facilitate financing Iraqi trade with other countries.

"RV UPDATE" BY MILITIAMAN, 26 DEC

  Militia Man 

 They've met their new international compliance requirements.  The banks are facilitating currency movements and international trade going forward.  Really this is a very good sign that what we've been dealing with and what we've been waiting for is knocking on the doorsteps.  It is really good.

Keep positive.   Keep upbeat.  There's nothing bad as far as I can see at the moment.  We'll see.  Anything can happen.  Anything can change..

What I've always said is it makes more sense for Iraq to have a managed float which is effectively a fixed exchange rate...1 to 1 or 2 to 1, 3 to 1, 4 to 1 whatever they decide to do it makes it easier the higher that exchange rate is to defend...Having a...3 years budget keeps it stable...pricing stays stable.  

Anybody that says it's going to float to from a relatively low range to a high range over time they don't understand.  Article quote:  "The exchange rate will be fixed especially since it's been fixed in the federal budget law for 3 years says Saleh..."  This is coming from the advisor.  Don't talk about float.  It just doesn't make sense to anybody.

Since November of last year they have been working to do what?  Get rid of the parallel market.  And how are they doing that?  They're populating banks with many other currencies.  They're doing all those things that are necessary to do what?  Be article VIII compliant, to have a single currency, not a dual currency country.  They're getting rid of multi-currency practices.

  They're talking about reducing Iraq's dependence on oil.  Dependence on oil is going to go away because they have non oil related products...services...and sectors .  That's going to be from the taxes and tariffs at the borders, imports, exports, natural resources.  They're going to have other than just oil.  They're going to have other circumstances...They're talking about 350 million ton of sulfur...They're trying to achieve sustainability for the private sector..

Everybody knows Iraq is about to go International and they're going to have a digital transformation ...When they have this investment budget and they start spending...Iraq is going to be filthy rich with revenue streams from the electronic borders, agriculture, tourism... mining, sulfur, phosphates...they're going to have revenue like no other.  

There isn't anything else like it, in my lifetime, that I can see is going to trump Iraq... Don't forget...Iraq has a massive amount of hydrogen for clean energy...nobody else is talking about it...The amount of money and revenue streams Iraq is going to have is almost incomprehensible...It really is intense on how much money these guys are going to make on a regular basis..

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/12/rv-update-by-militiaman-21-dec.html

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/12/rv-update-by-militiaman-22-dec.html

Bankers on Alert: CBI's Measures and the Path to Forex Opening this Week...

Parliamentary Finance: We will reconsider interest rates on bank loans for three categories, 26 DEC

 Parliamentary Finance: We will reconsider interest rates on bank loans for three categories

Representative Mudar Al-Karawi, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, announced on Monday that the committee plans to discuss revising interest rates for loans in three installments.

In an interview, Al-Karawi expressed that loans in all their forms play a crucial role in stimulating the economy and creating employment opportunities, particularly in the private sector. This is because most loans facilitate the establishment of various forms of private sector opportunities.

“He stated that loans given to retirees, people with limited income, and others should be treated differently in terms of reducing interest rates as much as possible. This is because the interest they currently bear is a significant financial burden that affects thousands of families.”

During a recent meeting, he mentioned that his committee would collaborate with relevant authorities to explore the option of re-evaluating the financial benefits offered to retirees. The goal is to provide greater flexibility and reduce the benefits on loans granted to them. The committee aims to develop a new vision that takes into account the needs of retirees and helps them manage their finances more effectively.

Iraqi banks offer financial loans in various forms, but the high interest rates burden many people.

"RV UPDATE" BY SANDY INGRAM, 26 DEC

 Sandy Ingram

  Inflation...political stability... balance of payment...national debt...recession - each of these seven categories helps determine the currency rate of any country...We want to wish each of you a happy holiday..

Article:  "Iraq links Baghdad US embassy attackers to security services"  

The attacks against US forces have continued.  The Iraqi government said several people who are alleged to have attacked the US embassy in Iraq last week have links to the country security services...

Article: "Iraqi council elections: Almost 17 million voters head to polls on Monday"

  Iraqis have begun voting for the first time in a decade to select new provincial council members who in turn will appoint governors...results are expected to be announced on Tuesday.  

   Iraq cuts oil production by 223,000 barrels per day voluntarily.   Iraq is over 90% dependent on oil revenue and oil prices, therefore when OPEC speaks we listen and we listen very carefully, almost as carefully as when the CBI makes and announcement.

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/12/rv-update-by-sandy-ingram-sheila-18-dec.html

 Article: "CIA warns Baghdad of serious consequences if attacks against US personnel  continue"  Since October 17th the US presence in Syria and Iraq has been under constant threat. 

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/12/rv-update-by-clare-sandy-ingram-15-dec.html

 [We] tried to ignore this news however, that is not possible Article:  "Iraqi PM places security forces under investigation over US embassy attack"  Iraq is doing what they can, but have not been able to stop the attacks against American Forces in Iraq.  Article: "Iran-backed militia vows more attacks after US Embassy in Iraq comes under fire"  When you attack the embassy of another country, this is far more serious.

The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed some Iraqi banks are transferring dollars from their accounts to intermediary banks who are distributing the dollars to their customers.  The Central Bank of Iraq said this will contribute to reducing the exchange rate of the parallel dollar...[We're] thinking this is to keep the black market intact. This means the decision to only use Iraqi dinar in all transactions beginning January 1, 2024 may cause concerns and the Central Bank of Iraq is making moves to control any possible issues.

Article:   "Inflation rate in Iraq declines in 2023 compared to 2022" 

 The Central Bank of Iraq announced the inflation rate decreased in 2023 compared to 2022.  Inflation in Iraq reached approximately 3.7% in August 2023, compared to 4.4% in August 2022.  Iraq's inflation rate is good compared to many countries where inflation has reached 30% and 40%...

Wealthy Iraqis move to the Caribbean.  Guess who's on the list?  ...The leader of the Kurdistan region and the former governor of the Central Bank of Iraq and other businessmen suspected of corruption...Iraq's politician are monitored by the organized Crime and Corruption Report Project (OCCRP)...This is part of the effort to catch

individual involved in corruption....  The project reported the purchase of Dominica (tiny Caribbean island) citizenship...enabling them to travel worldwide without a Visa...This country's visa is magical.  Citizens can travel to 144 countries without a visa..

 The country has no tax on foreign income, capital gains, inheritance, stock profits, wealth or gifts...The former Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mustafa Ghaleb Makhif, obtained Dominica citizenship in 2017 along with his wife and two children and did not renounce it upon his appointment as governor of the CBI which was clear violation of article 18 paragraph 4 of the Iraqi Constitution.  He held the position of governor of the Central Bank of Iraq from September 2020 until his removal by the current prime minister on January 23, 2023.. .

There are corruption questions...a legal complaint... has been filed due to the loss and depletion of millions of dollars regarding forged import documents.

   The reason countries have foreign reserves is to make sure that a country has backup funds if its national currency rapidly devalues or becomes entirely worthless.   It's common practice for central banks of different countries around the world to hold large amounts of reserves of foreign exchange.  Most of these reserves are held in US dollars since it is the most traded currency in the world...

The amount of monies a country holds in its reserves has a lot to do with the county's currency rate...Iraq has the largest foreign currency reserves in its' history.

 The reason countries have foreign reserves is to make sure that a country has backup funds if its national currency rapidly devalues or becomes entirely worthless.  It's common practice for central banks of different countries around the world to hold large amounts of reserves of foreign exchange.  Most of these reserves are held in US dollars since it is the most traded currency in the world...

The amount of monies a country holds in its reserves has a lot to do with the county's currency rate...Iraq has the largest foreign currency reserves in its' history...

Article:   " Good News for Investors:  US Treasury Continues to Omit Vietnam Currency Off Currency Manipulator's List"  

 Vietnam was not included on the US Treasury Department currency manipulators list this time.   The list comes out twice a year and includes countries that may have surpassed the value of their currency.  When a country does this it cheats investors on potential profits...Iraq is rebuilding after the war so is not yet subject to currency manipulation lists...

  On Wednesday the Prime Minister of Iraq's advisor took the lead from the Central Bank of Iraq and announced Iraq has the largest foreign currency reserves in its' history and that the exchange rate treatment package aims to prevent profiteering at the expense of the economy...

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/11/rv-update-by-sandy-ingram-25-nov.html

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/11/rv-update-by-sandy-ingram-30-nov.html

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Article:  "Inflation rate in Iraq declines in 2023 compared to 2022" 

 The Central Bank of Iraq announced the inflation rate decreased in 2023 compared to 2022.  Inflation in Iraq reached approximately 3.7% in August 2023, compared to 4.4% in August 2022.  Iraq's inflation rate is good compared to many countries where inflation has reached 30% and 40%...

Wealthy Iraqis move to the Caribbean.  Guess who's on the list?  ...The leader of the Kurdistan region and the former governor of the Central Bank of Iraq and other businessmen suspected of corruption...Iraq's politician are monitored by the organized Crime and Corruption Report Project (OCCRP)...This is part of the effort to catch

individual involved in corruption....The project reported the purchase of Dominica (tiny Caribbean island) citizenship...enabling them to travel worldwide without a Visa...This country's visa is magical.  Citizens can travel to 144 countries without a visa..

 The country has no tax on foreign income, capital gains, inheritance, stock profits, wealth or gifts...The former Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mustafa Ghaleb Makhif, obtained Dominica citizenship in 2017 along with his wife and two children and did not renounce it upon his appointment as governor of the CBI which was clear violation of article 18 paragraph 4 of the Iraqi Constitution.  He held the position of governor of the Central Bank of Iraq from September 2020 until his removal by the current prime minister on January 23, 2023...

There are corruption questions...a legal complaint... has been filed due to the loss and depletion of millions of dollars regarding forged import documents.

  The reason countries have foreign reserves is to make sure that a country has backup funds if its national currency rapidly devalues or becomes entirely worthless.   It's common practice for central banks of different countries around the world to hold large amounts of reserves of foreign exchange.  Most of these reserves are held in US dollars since it is the most traded currency in the world... The amount of monies a country holds in its reserves has a lot to do with the county's currency rate...Iraq has the largest foreign currency reserves in its' history.

 The reason countries have foreign reserves is to make sure that a country has backup funds if its national currency rapidly devalues or becomes entirely worthless.  It's common practice for central banks of different countries around the world to hold large amounts of reserves of foreign exchange.  Most of these reserves are held in US dollars since it is the most traded currency in the world...

The amount of monies a country holds in its reserves has a lot to do with the county's currency rate...Iraq has the largest foreign currency reserves in its' history...

Article:   "Good News for Investors:  US Treasury Continues to Omit Vietnam Currency Off Currency Manipulator's List"  

 Vietnam was not included on the US Treasury Department currency manipulators list this time.   The list comes out twice a year and includes countries that may have surpassed the value of their currency.  When a country does this it cheats investors on potential profits...Iraq is rebuilding after the war so is not yet subject to currency manipulation lists...

  On Wednesday the Prime Minister of Iraq's advisor took the lead from the Central Bank of Iraq and announced Iraq has the largest foreign currency reserves in its' history and that the exchange rate treatment package aims to prevent profiteering at the expense of the economy...

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/11/rv-update-by-sandy-ingram-25-nov.html

Iraqi Dinar News Merry Christmas De-Dollarization Jan 1, 2024-Digital Ec...

"RV UPDATE" BY MNT GOAT, 26 DEC

 Mnt Goat 

 ... We can clearly see that Iraq is moving to the normalization of how to do business with other countries and moving out of the sanctioned way of doing business with the world. They are already doing INTERNATIONAL. It is happening right now...Folks, I can not emphasize enough just how good all this news is today. WOW, WOW WOW!

I asked [my CBI contact] what the next targeted steps were and I was told that the committee does not even know and were told just to standby and the CBI is going to try to “push” to continue as they are ready for the next step in the process.  I was told the IMF is negotiating the new peg for the dinar but to remember it impacts all countries in this new peg not just Iraq.

  I was told this is close to being completed and should be done this week ending. This lines us up for next week to begin the currency sway [swap ?] out, but they told me it is delayed until further notice.

So, at least we now have a timeline when they did plan it and still could do it based on what happens with the US bombing issue. My contact did reiterate that the process now is irreversible and must go forward. The US had already given assurances they would not back out if the CBI moved ahead.  So all I can say is let’s sit tight and watch what does happen in the coming week.

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/12/rv-update-by-mnt-goat-16-dec.html

 ...just recently Iraq now began broadcasting news in-country to the citizens that the dinar is an “issue of a homeland” in a real way...a patriotic video...is telling the people that the dinar is valuable and will revitalize the nation ...It DOES NOT say the dinar is going to be stronger than the dollar, but it does tell the citizens they should be very proud of their national currency and that it is very valuable.   Valuable at 1/6 of a penny? ...something BIG is about to happen with the dinar...

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/12/rv-update-by-mnt-goat-14-dec.html

My Conversation with my CBI Contact 12/13/23:

As you know I try to talk to my Iraqi CBI contact each week on Wednesdays and sometimes also on Saturdays. My contact is a very god friend that I met when I was stationed in Iraq during the occupation timeframe. I trust what my contact says to me. Besides we are getting information first hand from an actual citizen living, working and experiencing everything happening in Iraq without bias or propaganda.

We began our conversation with talk about the disputes going on with the US forces and all the bombings. This is important I was told. Who is conducting the bombings and does the US forces have a right to protect themselves? It was confirmed to me that this is all a movement to rid Iraq once again of US forces. There is lots of propaganda being told to the people about this to get pressure on the government to rid them of the US.

 Remember too, the Iranian militia has remained in Iraq post ISIS war. That was over 16 years already since the war ended (2007) and so many look at them now as Arabic, Moslum brothers compared to the western armed forces, at least this is what many Iranian Shia think. Remember there are patriotic Shia and then there are Iranian Shia. This is the middle eastern culture. But even the citizens are afraid (mostly Sunni) of what will happen if the US forces do pull out entirely again. Who will fill the gap this time as there will be a gap and the Iraqi forces are not strong enough yet. It is like a double-edged sword. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. So many Iraqi people are confused.

This time, if the US does pull out, it is widely felt by the average citizen the Iranian Hezbollah militia forces and not ISIS the citizens will fear the most. They walk the streets in their uniforms with arms. They claim they are still here to protect the Iraqi people from ISIS. Really? But, my contact says this is just an excuse to occupy Iraq and a contradiction. Like the US forces, but there are even more Iranians, they too are occupiers. My contact does not understand why the US does not challenge them as occupiers too and put this issue on the table with the government.

Then we changed the subject and talked about the currency reform. I asked about the impact of the confrontations with the US over their military stationed in Iraq. I was told the situation it does impact the progress of the planned events for December as the committee was brought into a meeting with the leadership and told everything was now “on hold”. I know, I know I too was a bit shocked at the news and did not like it. But I know for a fact that January is the best and most opportune time to revalue and drastically change the program rate to an international rate on the global exchanges. But the program rate is already on a pseudo-float within the country.

I asked what the next targeted steps where and I was told that the committee does not even know and were told just to standby and the CBI is going to try to “push” to continue as they are ready for the next step in the process. I was told the IMF is negotiating the new peg for the dinar but to remember it impacts all countries in this new peg not just Iraq.  I was told this is close to being completed an should be done this week ending. This lines us up for next week to begin the currency sway out, but they told me it is delayed until further notice.  So, at least we now have a timeline when they did plan it and still could do it based on what happens with the US bombing issue. My contact did reiterate that the process now is irreversible” and must go forward. The US had already given assurances they would not back out if the CBI moved ahead. So all I can say is let’s sit tight and watch what does happen in the coming week.

https://dinarevaluation.blogspot.com/2023/12/my-conversation-with-cbi-contact-by-mnt.html