Lawyer and banking expert Saif Al-Halfi
The world is now moving with rapid steps racing with the wind in the role of stocks supporting monetary policies, especially since the old classical theories considered that stock markets are not among the tools of monetary policy. This concept reflected a traditional understanding where monetary policy focused on tools such as interest rates, monetary facilities, and banks’ cash reserves.
The development of theories and the difference in models of economic studies differ with the development of research, studies and the financial market from one country to another. It is difficult to make a theory applicable to all countries and different economies, from emerging economies to more complex economies. Because of this dialectic based on trying to understand and establish the nature of the relationship between financial markets and monetary policy, which has become more evident in many countries.
Stock markets have become part of the general economic strategy of governments and central banks, especially after the introduction of the idea of cryptocurrencies and digital banks, as they directly affect consumption, investment and economic confidence.
Iraqi market
In the case of the Iraqi model and long years of economic stagnation as a rentier economy that relies primarily on oil to finance its annual budgets and the state of price speculation on the stability of the dollar exchange rate in local markets or what is known as the parallel dollar situation, we can 🤔 look at the Iraqi Stock Exchange as a tool supporting monetary policy and influencing the state of the rentier economy. This is done through:
1- Encouraging local and foreign investment. The stock market can be a quick and important means of attracting local capital, especially cash in circulation, and trying to return it to banking incubators and investing it in short-term investments through price maneuvers on the shares of emerging companies listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange or long-term investments by pumping these cash blocks into the shares of profit generating companies, which are companies that regularly achieve rewarding annual financial profits, thus enhancing the idea of withdrawing the accumulated cash liquidity and returning it to banking incubators in a way that reduces immediate and temporary speculation on the parallel dollar in the local market.
It also creates real opportunities for foreign capital moving between emerging markets to enter, which provides them with the opportunity for quick entry, profitable investment and safe exit.
2- Diversifying the economy from excessive dependence on oil. The stock market can be used to encourage local and international investments in sectors that create greater economic diversity than usual and a state of rapid sales and price maneuvers for shares of promising companies in Iraq.
3- Absorbing liquidity The stock market can play an important role in absorbing excess liquidity in the economy, which helps control inflation. This depends on the ability of the Iraqi market to be quick in price transactions from buying and selling through the shares of the companies listed in it and pressuring brokerage firms to apply and activate the latest smart systems and phone applications for daily sales and contracts executed in it, as well as encouraging the publication of financial data for Iraqi companies on international platforms that encourage understanding the culture of Iraqi company shares.
One of the most important economic theories that support that financial markets can be an effective tool in monetary policy is the Wealth Effec theory, which is summarized and almost consistent with understanding the dialectic of the Iraqi economy and the stock market economy.
More consistent with the Iraqi model is the Wealth Effect Theory, written by Gregory Mankiw. Its summary is that the rise in the value of financial assets among individuals gives them an incentive to withdraw money and re-inject it into purchasing new assets and stocks in order to increase wealth and gives them a feeling of wealth, which prompts them to spend on consumption and develop the national economy.
In conclusion, all these theories and studies support the idea that financial markets can be an effective and successful tool in achieving economic stability and enhancing growth, especially in emerging markets such as Iraq. If the Iraqi stock market is exploited in the right way that attracts local and international investments, it can help diversify the Iraqi economy and create new opportunities that drive economic integration in Iraq, making the Iraqi Stock Exchange a valuable tool for monetary policies. link