Shafaq News/ The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission praised the Iraqi government's measures, including the monetary policy led by the Central Bank of Iraq in 2024.
The report for the 2024 Article IV Consultation indicated that "the Central Bank of Iraq has taken several measures aimed at stabilizing the national currency and controlling monetary inflation."
"The Central Bank raised the interest rate on monetary policy tools from 4% to 7.5% and increased the banks' mandatory reserve requirements from 15% to 18%. These steps were decisive in reducing the inflationary pressures that Iraq suffered from, and this contributed to creating an environment and a more stable economy." The report mentioned.
Moreover, the report highlighted that "important reforms in the banking sector, such as the gradual increase in bank capital and mergers between small banks, aim to strengthen the banking sector and increase its efficiency and flexibility in the face of economic shocks."
"Iraq has implemented new compliance measures to improve the transparency of cross-border financial transactions by launching an electronic platform that imposes the disclosure of financial beneficiaries, which enhances the integrity of financial transfers in accordance with international banking standards, in addition to the role of the Central Bank of Iraq in expanding Correspondent banking relationships, to facilitate smoother international trade financing operations."
In its previous report on May 16, the team revealed that domestic stability has improved since the formation of the new government in October 2022, enabling the passage of Iraq's first three-year budget, which includes significant fiscal expansion starting in 2023.
The non-oil economy experienced a strong rebound in 2023 after a slowdown in 2022, largely unaffected by the ongoing regional conflict. "Nonetheless, Iraq remains highly vulnerable to oil price fluctuations and private sector activity is hindered by the large state footprint—including as an employer of first resort—corruption, red tape, underdeveloped infrastructure, and poor access to credit."
Article: "In light of the Middle East conflict, the World Bank expects oil prices to exceed $100" Quote: "The bank said in a report published today that a severe price disruption could lead to oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel, which would increase inflation in 2024 by about one percentage point."
Article: "Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Stabilization of Iraq"
Quote: "The obstacles to the orderly reconstruction of Iraq, the restoration and maintenance of peace and security in the country, and the development of political, administrative, and economic institutions in Iraq continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States...I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to the stabilization of Iraq declared in Executive Order 13303."
Article: "The Central Bank begins the second phase of its banking reform strategy"
Quote: "what will be achieved from the second phase of the banking reform strategy will be reflected in the stability of the exchange rate and the recovery of the Iraqi dinar inevitably"
The report issued by the International Monetary Fund’s mission for the current year 2024 for the Article IV consultations praised the Iraqi government’s measures, including the monetary policy led by the Central Bank of Iraq, and the report indicated that the Central Bank of Iraq has taken several measures aimed at stabilizing the national currency and controlling monetary inflation. He added that the central bank raised the interest rate on monetary policy instruments from 4% to 7.5% and increased the mandatory reserve requirements of banks from 15% to 18%, and these steps were crucial in reducing the inflationary pressures suffered by Iraq, and this contributed to the creation of a more stable economic environment.
The report stressed that important reforms in the banking sector such as the gradual increase in bank capital and mergers between small banks aim to strengthen the banking sector, increase its efficiency and flexibility in the face of economic shocks. The report noted that Iraq has implemented new compliance measures to improve the transparency of cross-border financial transactions, through the launch of an electronic platform that enforces the disclosure of financial beneficiaries, which enhances the integrity of financial transfers in line with international banking standards, as well as the role of the Central Bank of Iraq in expanding correspondent banking relations, to facilitate international trade financing operations more smoothly.
In 2016 Gold was right around $1,500 bucks a once and today it's running $2,300 to $2,400 bucks an ounce. They increased that gold supply by about 40 tons...Their currency reserves are around $110 billion. They have a massive amount of wealth. They have the ability to support their imports for about 16 months they say, which is about 5x what they need. That's important. They don't want to reduce those. They'd like to keep them on hand...Iraq has a good foundation for Alaq to do what he's supposed to do and it'll only get better if he does.
If they change the value of their currency they're going to have more surpluses...The oil price is about $70 in the 2023 budget. That hasn't changed for '24 or '25 because that's a tripartite budget. They got a surplus. Oil is somewhere around $80. It's been as high as $91ish. The expectations of oil is to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $80/$90 and they even talk about $100/barrel...Iraq is going to be sitting pretty good...They have phosphates...sulfur...natural gas...Those non-oil revenue streams...taxes and tariffs are going to come online...Iraq has a good foundation for Alaq to do what he's supposed to do.
Iraq is moving forward. They've got huge reserves...increased their gold, they're going to have the private sector, their stock exchange is going to be one to reckon with. It's an emerging market and a lot of money is going to be start flowing...
If they go on the Forex system it's going to be international. It's going to be fast and furious.
Could they do something within the county prior to that?
Sure, why not, educate the citizens, do what they got to do...
Question: People want to know if they can drag this out until next year?
Militia Man: We don’t know the timing. But, I don’t think we are even close to go that long. There is way too much going on in the world and this is not only about Iraq. Remember all boats rise with the tide...I believe Iraq is ready to go with the rest of the world. Along with other countries like the Vietnamese dong.
Are they going to change the value of their currency...?
I'm pretty sure they are going to need to to pay for all these [reconstruction] objects...rebar, the cement - all that stuff is expensive at 1310. It's not so expensive if it's back at a 'previous era'....If they have the true value, their real effective exchange rate, it's going to be far cheaper...
Iraq Is Turning To Digital Banks.. What Does It Offer To The Banking Sector?
Economy News – Baghdad The Iraqi banking system may soon receive banks of another type called (digital banks). What are these banks and will the citizen, the banking system, and the Iraqi economy benefit from them? Files that the beneficiary of the banking sector services in Iraq is trying to ask.
Financial expert Ziad Al-Hashimi says, “Online banks, also known as digital banks or neo-banks, are banking financial institutions that operate completely and exclusively over the Internet, and unlike traditional banks, where digital banks usually do not have physical branches.” In cities, they rely on providing their services on the website and mobile phone applications, and the banking services that citizens, merchants, and institutions need can be provided through phone applications.”
He continues, “The most important advantages of digital banks are the ease of opening an account, accessing and managing the balance, lower fees and costs, and having diverse and distinct services (such as budget applications, spending plans, and flexible integration) and other advantages. Because of these advantages, digital banks have begun to spread in many countries in Europe.” And the Americas and Asia, and among these banks - Chase bank - Monzo - Revolut - Starling - Tide and other digital banks.”
Al-Hashemi explains, “The issue of the success and expansion of this type of bank is linked to the state of the economic environment and the nature of society, as these banks often rely on non-cash electronic operations that are active in an advanced banking system, and a society that tends to use cards instead of cash in its transactions.”
The financial expert calls on the Central Bank of Iraq to “wait a little in granting licenses to digital banks, evaluate all these risks and challenges, and search for new timings to launch this type of banks. They must be aware of the availability of favorable conditions and the presence of high chances of success, instead of haste and adventure, as this is a recipe.” "Ready to fail."
The establishment of any digital bank, inside Iraq, requires that about 30% of its shares belong to a traditional bank, and the services should be published via the Internet and mobile phone applications, and there should not be any branch, but only the general administration, and all services via the Internet, such as issuing a bank card and financial transfers. Deposits, loans, etc.
Iraq owns more than 70 banks, many of which were subjected to US sanctions, while the financial inclusion rate reaches a low level due to weak confidence between the banking sector and citizens as a result of the bankruptcy of some of them.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, had previously confirmed, on the sidelines of a celebration organized by the bank, that the steps achieved in financial inclusion that were accomplished today are accelerating and can close the gap that occurred during the past years as a result of the circumstances that Iraq went through.
Al-Alaq stated that the bank has ongoing meetings with the Iraqi government to expand the customer base in electronic payment methods and enhance financial inclusion, “as we see a great response from various state institutions in the context of expanding the financial and banking culture in Iraq.”
Al-Alaq said, “The factors that lead to the success and expansion of the role of financial inclusion are the citizen’s confidence in the institutions and tools available to him, as well as his vision of his interest in using them.”
He continued, "The Central Bank has become at the forefront of global central banks by using various financial technologies that provide speed and accuracy," revealing at the same time that "the bank has received large numbers of applications to establish digital banks. The concerned departments are working on the possibility of granting it a license to carry out its work in accordance with the controls and instructions issued." By the bank.
For his part, financial expert Mahmoud Dagher believes in a press interview followed by Al-Iqtisad News that “digital banks are natural banks, just like traditional banks, but they operate through applications and do not have face-to-face interactions.”
According to Dagher, digital banks can perform their work as an independent digital bank or even as classic banks, pointing out that the young generation has now become knowledgeable in using financial technology for withdrawal, transfer, etc.
Today, Iraq has one digital bank, while many applications are waiting for the green light from the Central Bank of Iraq to grant them a license to carry out their work in accordance with the controls and instructions issued by it.
According to the Central Bank of Iraq, licensing requirements to practice digital banking activity include that digital bank licenses in Iraq do not exceed (10%) of the total licensed banks, in addition to the presence of an economic feasibility study that includes business plans, strategies, and financial indicators for 4 years, including the technical aspect and services. scheduled to be launched.
It is noteworthy that these digital banks are subject to all laws, regulations and instructions issued by the Central Bank, including the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law No. 39 of 2015.