"In a move that underscores the evolving landscape of international finance, a consortium of leading banks, including BBVA, BofA Securities, ING, Mashreq, Morgan Stanley, and Standard Chartered Bank, has embarked on a pivotal mission. Authorized by an undisclosed bank, these financial titans are set to traverse continents, with meetings scheduled across Asia, Europe, and the United States on February 20, 2024. Their objective is clear yet complex: to assess the appetite of global investors for USD-denominated Basel III compliant Tier 2 notes, a critical component in strengthening the banks' capital structure."
Global Banks are currently preparing for Tier 2 Capital note exchanges under Basel 3 guidelines. Banks are accumulating these foreign currencies to support their banking structures.
What are Tier 2 Capital notes? These notes are designated as second or supplementary layers of a bank's capital. And, they are commonly known as revaluation reserves or foreign currencies.
What makes them revaluation reserves under Basel 3 guidelines is due to the expectation of the increase in their value due to the backing by gold for them. Many of the currencies that are coming back onto the market on the local level in countries around the world are being supported by gold reserves.
Basel 3 is what makes these newly reinstated currencies have the need to be repriced on the market offering a Level Playing Field with other currencies around the world.
All roads lead to gold, and gold will set us free.
Al-Sudani: The government has placed economic and banking reform among its most important priorities
Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani confirmed, on Thursday, that the Iraqi government has placed economic and banking reform among its most important priorities, indicating its endeavor to welcome work in this field.
The Prime Minister’s media office said in a statement, seen by Al-Iqtisad News, that “Al-Sudani received, this afternoon, Thursday, Andrew Toure, the regional president of Visa for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and his accompanying delegation.”
The Prime Minister stressed, according to the statement, that “the government has placed the issue of economic and banking reform among its most important priorities, and it seeks and welcomes cooperation in this field,” pointing to the approval of the electronic payment system in the Council of Ministers, praising the company’s cooperation in expanding electronic payment technology and digital transformation, Whether through training workers in Iraq or by contributing to education for the electronic payment process.”
For his part, the regional president of Visa expressed “the desire to continue cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq and all Iraqi banking sector institutions,” noting that “Visa’s interest in supporting the Iraqi government’s plans towards electronic payment and economic and banking reform, by offering advanced solutions and technologies.” To the market, as well as its readiness to bring expertise, in addition to employing more Iraqis in its office in Baghdad, with the aim of reaching 500,000 acceptance points from points of sale for electronic payment in Iraq link
The training with the specimen sheets is a daily continuing thing...We don’t know if it’s going to be the DeLaRue machines or a completely different structured machine because the new security features on the new small lower notes are not recognizable on the old DeLaRue machines .
Aki is working with new sorting and counting machines [Not the new DeLaRue machines]…These machines [New DeLaRue] will only be used inside of Iraq. Aki has no need for these machines…Chase’s JP Morgan who buys and sell currency around the world would also have these new machines.
The problem for Iraqi dinar investors is no US banks and few banks worldwide will allow transactions using the Iraqi dinar.
Bankers turn their noses up when people ask about Iraqi dinar and this is one of the reasons the investment is called shady.
ANALYSIS OF IRAQ NEWS
Iraq's tourism could easily increase to over 10 billion US dollars a year, comparing it with Egypt's tourism.
The problem for people in the United States is no bank in the US will do any transactions using the Iraqi dinar. Until this changes we have to find other ways to pull our profit out of Iraq. We can do this. I found one way and will discuss it in a an upcoming [post]...
There is an organized effort in Iraq to never revalue or increase the value of the currency abasing the US dollar or to provide profits for people in the west...Between the different factions within Iraq, revaluing their currency, even when they can afford it, may not be on their agenda...
Iraq is getting closer to a currency reset...Iraq's rail plans have investors worldwide watching carefully...The rail connection in Iraq from the Gulf to Europe will change Iraq's economy. This same method of increasing the GDP was recently used by Mexico when they built a connecting rail system...Mexico's exchange rate increased against the US dollar and now Americans are spending more money to live in Mexico... This is one of the major paths that can lead to a higher GDP and a higher value in the currency. The project is set to start in early 2025.
The International Monetary Fund has consistently recommended Iraq develop additional streams of income outside of the oil industry. Iraq holds a significant amount of the world's history within its borders...What is needed is security and safety for travelers. Once safety issues are address and the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers are flowing again there will be substantial annual revenue to help boost Iraq's GDP.
" Iraq's central bank revokes Iran's Bank Melli operating license" This article tells us the US is serious about not allowing Iran to have access to US dollars. It also tells us Iraq is serious about aligning with the US Treasury Department to maintain access to over one hundred billion US dollar of its money in the Federal Reserve.
Vietnam is making major financial news. Vietnam factory activity returns to growth status after the pandemic, tourist arrivals increased by 73.6% in January and retail sales are still growing for the 26th straight month. The inflation rate is at a five month low of 3.7%. Overall Vietnam has green lights on all growth patterns...Vietnam knows precisely what to do to bring the value of its currency back into the line of profit...
A Tug of War Over Autonomy: Iraq's Supreme Court Challenges Kurdish Election Law
The delicate balance of power between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad has once again come under scrutiny. A recent ruling by Iraq's Supreme Court, calling into question the constitutionality of the KRG's election law, particularly its minority quota system, has ignited a complex debate about federalism, autonomy, and minority rights within Iraq. At the heart of this contention lies the age-old struggle for power and representation, a narrative all too familiar in the region's tumultuous history.
The Ruling and Its Ripple Effects
The Supreme Court's decision mandates the oversight of the KRG's parliamentary elections by Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission. This move, while seemingly procedural, has far-reaching implications for the Kurdish region's autonomy and the representation of minority groups within its parliament. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), a dominant force in Kurdish politics, has vocally criticized the ruling. They argue it undermines the principles of federalism enshrined in the country's constitution and infringes upon Kurdistan's rights to manage its internal affairs, including elections.
This judicial intervention has not only exacerbated the longstanding tensions between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad but has also highlighted the internal divisions within the Kurdish political landscape itself. The dominance of the KDP and its rivalry with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) adds another layer of complexity to the situation, raising questions about the future of Kurdish autonomy and governance.
Concerns for Minority Representation
One of the most immediate concerns arising from the court's ruling is the potential impact on minority representation within the KRG's parliament. The challenged election law's minority quota was seen by many as a crucial mechanism for ensuring the voices of smaller, often marginalized groups were heard. Critics of the ruling fear that without these protections, minority communities, including Christians, may find themselves further excluded from political processes and decision-making.
The debate over the minority quota and electoral oversight speaks to broader issues of inclusion and rights within not just the Kurdish region but Iraq as a whole. As the country continues to navigate its post-conflict reconstruction, the question of how to build a political system that accommodates its diverse population remains pressing.
Between Autonomy and Unity
The tension between the desire for Kurdish autonomy and the central government's efforts to assert control is not new. Since the enshrinement of Kurdish self-rule in 2005, both sides have navigated a fragile coexistence, marked by periods of cooperation and conflict. The recent court ruling, however, threatens to tip this balance, challenging the foundations of Kurdish governance and, by extension, the region's stability.
Observers note that resolving the internal Kurdish conflicts and the broader dispute with Baghdad is crucial for maintaining the Kurdistan Region's influence and avoiding potential dissolution. The stakes are high, not just for the Kurdish region but for Iraq as a whole. At a time when the country is striving to move beyond its sectarian and ethnic divisions, decisions like those of the Supreme Court serve as a reminder of the delicate and often contentious process of building a shared future.
The evolving dynamic between the KRG and Baghdad, set against a backdrop of internal Kurdish divisions and regional influences, underscores the complex tapestry of politics in Iraq. As the country continues to grapple with these issues, the path to a more inclusive and stable political order remains fraught with challenges. Yet, it is within these very challenges that opportunities for dialogue, reconciliation, and ultimately, progress may lie.