Shafaq News / The Iraqi Central Bank (CBI) affirmed on Saturday that it has provided five alternative currencies to the dollar for traders to use in purchasing goods from abroad, using each country's currency through the bank.
CBI’s Deputy Governor Ammar Hamad told Shafaq News Agency that "CBI has made other foreign currencies available for Iraqi traders, including the euro, the Chinese yuan, the Turkish lira, the Emirati dirham, and the Indian rupee."
He added that "these currencies are now available to traders, aiming to facilitate foreign trade. When a trader imports goods from China, for instance, they can pay in Iraqi dinars to the Iraqi bank, which will then settle the amount with the Chinese company or factory in Chinese currency."
Iraq continues its efforts to gain membership in the World Trade Organization
The Ministry of Commerce confirmed the government's aspiration to join the World Trade Organization, especially after the Saudi representative in the organization, Saqr Al-Muqbel, was named to manage Iraq's accession file, noting that his recent visit to Baghdad contributed to addressing a number of important files.
The ministry’s official spokesman, Muhammad Hanoun, said, “Iraq has joined as an observer in the World Trade Organization since 2004, and until 2023 this accession faced many problems and challenges, the most recent of which is the failure to pay dues to join the observer organization. However, after the announcement of the government program by Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Sudanese began working again on the possibility of Iraq joining this organization, as two sessions took place and a dialogue was held with the organization by the Iraqi negotiating team headed by the Minister of Trade, Atheer Al-Ghurairi, which included all the relevant Iraqi ministries and bodies.
Hanoun added, “The World Trade Organization assigned the Saudi representative to the organization, Saqr Al-Muqbel, to manage the file of Iraq’s accession, and he came to Baghdad on an important visit and met with the Iraqi negotiating team, and many issues were addressed, the most important of which were the files of goods and services, as well as the legislation that the Iraqi economic reform team in the Prime Minister’s Office would carry out.” By addressing it within the frameworks and legislation within which the World Trade Organization operates.”
He continued, "Joining will achieve many things for Iraq, most notably that it will support the file of Iraqi goods and facilitate their entry into global markets, and secondly, the harmonization of Iraqi laws and regulations with international laws and regulations," pointing out that "Iraq has today become a major economic player on the world level and needs to harmonize Iraqi laws with international laws." .
He stressed, “Minister of Trade Atheer Al-Ghurairi attended the third session of the World Trade Organization, which was held in the Emirate of Dubai in the UAE, and met with the Assistant Director-General of the organization. We believe that the meeting will achieve progress in achieving the government’s aspirations regarding accession in an accelerated manner,” appreciating “the Saudi efforts in overcoming many special obstacles.” Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization. link
Not that this is of material value immediately but the banker is indicating those above him are indicting he is within a short window to beginning his scheduling of currency exchange appointments. Will keep you advised as info proceeds.
They are on call to be at their station within 45 minutes and all have had extensive training
Folks while nobody in our level knows when but the assurances I am being given indicates we are closer than ever.
"RV UPDATE" BY TEXAS SNAKE VIA TELEGRAM CHAT, 24 FEB
TEXAS SNAKE
Like all of us we await some word and at this point my banker like us is awaiting some updates as we await but he does indicate we should be close based upon what has been shared thus far.
"RV UPDATE" BY TEXAS SNAKE, 22 FEB
“Word is trickling in that ATMs are being loaded with the new rainbow currency and then being placed out of service until all machines are loaded. …According to some sources, Bond Holder payments begin to be processing Wed. 21 Feb. …
I was on a call that was most positive and is affirming we stand at the threshold of scheduling/ exchanging currencies. They do not have rates or exactly when the announcement will be made but it could be as early as the next couple of days.”
Today I walked into see my Wells Fargo friend/wealth manager and asked him if he's seen the new United States treasury notes. He said "I've seen them but haven't touched them. They're in the vault wrapped up"
That was my personal banker.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I asked him many other questions which he couldn't answer because I think he's under an NDA but he sure gave me a smile !
In Washington.. Barzani meets the “godfather” of Iraqi banking supervision
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, met today, Friday (March 1, 2024), with the Under Secretary of the US Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson.
The media office of the Prime Minister of the Regional Government said in a statement, received by “Baghdad Today”, that “Barzani met with Nelson, and the two sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations.”
He added, "The meeting discussed ways to support the reforms implemented by the Kurdistan Regional Government within the framework of the ninth ministerial formation, especially with regard to reforming the financial system and the banking sector, in addition to discussing the (My Account) project and the digital transformation of public services." ink