Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Coffee with MarkZ and Andy Schectman. 08/27/2024
DINAR REVALUATION UPDATE: IRAQ HAS EXPANDED ITS LITS OF ACCEPTED CURRENCIES IN FOREIGN TRADE, 27 AUGUST
Discover the Impossible.
Iraq's Foreign Trade Currency Options in 2024
The economic landscape of Iraq has been undergoing significant changes in 2024, especially concerning its foreign trade currency options. In an effort to diversify its currency transactions and reduce dependency on the US dollar, Iraq has expanded its list of accepted currencies for foreign trade. This move follows a series of financial reforms aimed at modernizing the country's banking system and tackling money laundering.
Diversifying Currency Options for Foreign Trade
Merchants in Iraq now have the option to use the euro, Chinese yuan, Turkish lira, Emirati dirham, and Indian rupee for financing foreign trade. This shift is particularly significant for merchants importing goods from countries like China, who can now pay in Iraqi dinar to Iraqi banks, avoiding the need for US dollars.
Impact on Trade and the Economy
International Transactions Through SWIFT
The adoption of the international financial messaging system known as SWIFT by Iraq's banking sector has facilitated a substantial increase in overseas dollar transactions. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce the misuse of hard currency reserves for financial crimes and to evade sanctions, particularly those imposed by the United States on Iran.
Trade Dynamics
Iraq's primary exports, notably crude oil, have traditionally been traded in US dollars. However, the diversification of currency options is expected to enhance trade with countries preferring alternative currencies. The country's main export partners in 2022 included India, China, the United States, South Korea, and Greece, while imports came chiefly from the United Arab Emirates, China, Turkey, India, and South Korea.
Challenges and Opportunities
Reducing Oil Dependence
With a significant portion of its economy tied to oil, Iraq faces medium-term vulnerabilities due to oil price volatility. The government is focusing on reducing oil dependence and ensuring fiscal sustainability while protecting social and investment spending. This will require controlling the public wage bill and increasing non-oil tax revenues.
Boosting Economic Growth
Higher economic growth is necessary to absorb the rapidly expanding labor force and boost non-oil exports. This will involve enabling private sector development, including labor market reforms, modernization of the financial sector, and restructuring of state-owned banks, pension, and electricity sector reforms.
Conclusion
The diversification of currency options for foreign trade in Iraq reflects the country's ongoing efforts to modernize its financial systems and reduce economic vulnerabilities. By expanding the range of accepted currencies, Iraq aims to strengthen its trade relations, improve fiscal sustainability, and foster greater economic growth.
NEWS RECAP : Exclusive: Iraq to end all dollar cash withdrawals by Jan. 1 2024, central-bank official says, 27 AUGUST
TNT UPDATE: " THE NEW LOWER DENOMINATION DINAR WERE BEING RELEASED TO THE STREETS IN IRAQ" , 27 AUGUST
Mon. 26 Aug. 2024 TNT
They tweeted a couple days ago that the new lower denomination dinars were being released to the streets in Iraq, which means that the rate change is soon to follow. Today they confirmed with their contacts that the lower denomination dinars were released on certain locations on the streets.
TNT TONY
- Sat. 24 Aug. 2024 TNT Tony
- “Just got word that in Iraq the lower denoms are being released on the streets right now. Start poppin. It’s on its way.”
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TNT UPDATE
GOOD MORNING TNT IT'S FRIDAY AUGUST THE 23RD 20241:09 PM
THIS MORNING WAS TOLD TODAY IS THE DAY BUT WE DON'T KNOW THE TIME1:10 PM
GOOD THING TO BRING PEACE OF MIND... DNC IS OVER...Aug 23
NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED... THE THINGS THAT ARE RELATED ARE GETTING BETTER 1:11 PM
AT THE END OF THE MONTH SUDANI GOING TO TRY TO GET SANCTIONS OFF IRANIAN BANKS 1:12 PM
OTHER GOOD NEWS ISRAEL ACCEPTED THE PROPOSAL FOR PEACE 1:12 PM
SO WE WAIT FOR HAMAS - COULD HAVE PEACE, NO RETALIATION 1:13 PM
WE WILL SEE WHAT MAKES REAL SENSE. 1:13 PM
READY FOR IT TO BE OVER... READY FOR NEXT GREAT THING.1:15 PM
IT MIGHT SOUND HORRIBLE.... BUT... YOU CAN'T SEND ME YOUR PROBLEMS 1:15 PM
CAN'T FIX THEM... i CAN'T LOAN MONEY OR GIVE MONEY OR TELL YOU WHERE TO GET MONEY... NO ONE IS GETTING ANY. 1:15 PM
IT DOES AFFECT ME... ALL YOU ARE GOING THROUGH... I FEEL FOR YOU EMOTIONAL MENTALLY. 1:17 PM
HAVE SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN WAITING TO GET PAID... PAID SOME LAST FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 1:18 PM
ALL OF THEM DID NOT GET PAID... SOME ARE WAITING RIGHT NOW...1:18 PM
SOME TOLD GETTING PAID YESTERDAY... PENDING... PAID TODAY... BUT DIDN'T HAPPEN...1:18 PM
SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN NEED TO WAIT, TOO1:19 PM
ALL IS DONE... WAITING FOR EMAILS TO COME THROUGH THE SYSTEM Aug 23
IT'S NOT IRAQ IT'S NOT THE BANKS... ALL IS DONE THEY DID ALL THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO..1:19 PM
ALL HAVE DONE WHAT SUPPOSED TO DO BUT GO.... HOLD-UP SEEMS TO BE WHAT IS GOING ON IT THE MIDDLE EAST.1:20 PM
WAS HAPPY WHEN SAW THE AGREEMENT NOT TO INVOLVE IRAQ.... DON'T USE US AS A BATTLE GROUND... WOULD AFFECT THE WHOLE REGION 1:21 PM
WITH THESE THINGS OVER... COULD TAKE OFF... IRAQIS BEING TOLD ANY DAY... COMING DAYS.... SHOULD BE OVER TOMORROW1:22 PM
3 LETTER AGENCIES.... WAITING... TODAY AFTER 51:22 PM
ON WED WAS TOLD THEY WERE LOADING THE CODES TO RELEASE IT RIGHT THEN... OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T RELEASE.1:22 PM
GIVING ALL INFO... NOT HIDING INFO - ALL WE CAN DO IS WAIT FOR THE FINALIZED AGREEMENT WHICH CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT.
DINAR REVALUATION UPDATE: The "Theft of the Century": Unraveling the Iraqi Tax Deposit Scandal, 27 AUGUST
The "Theft of the Century": Unraveling the Iraqi Tax Deposit Scandal
In a startling exposé, the Iraqi Observer has illuminated the full narrative of the infamous tax deposit theft, referred to as the "theft of the century," shedding light on the pivotal role of Nour Zuhair Jassim in orchestrating the heist.
Unveiling the Scheme
The General Tax Authority's secret report has unveiled the intricate details of how the theft unfolded, revealing a network of complicity and deception. Between September 9, 2021, and August 11, 2022, a staggering amount of 3.7 trillion Iraqi dinars, equivalent to approximately $2.5 billion, was systematically siphoned off.
The Masterminds and the Shell Companies
The report implicates two key individuals, Nour Zuhair Jassim and Abdul Mahdi Tawfiq Mahdi, who utilized five shell companies as fronts for the illegal withdrawals. These companies, Al Qant General Contracting, Humpback Whale General Trading, Baghdad Winds General Trading, Innovators for Oil Services, and Badia Al Masaa General Trading, served as conduits for the embezzlement, with each company receiving significant sums ranging from 433.015 billion dinars to 1.185 trillion dinars.
The Auditors' Revelation
The auditors' investigation, which came to light recently, has exposed the depth of the fraud. The auditors discovered that the checks, totaling 247 in number, were cashed from a branch of the state-run Rafidain Bank housed within the tax commission.
Political Ramifications
The scandal has cast a shadow over the Iraqi government, particularly the administration of former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, who was in office when the theft occurred. Current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who assumed office in late 2022, has vowed to address the issue but faces significant challenges in light of Iraq's entrenched patronage system.
Public Outrage and Parliamentary Inquiry
The public outrage sparked by the scandal has led to a parliamentary investigation into the sudden increase in taxes, which many suspect is an attempt to recoup the lost funds.
The Aftermath
The repercussions of this theft continue to unfold, with growing demands for accountability and transparency in Iraq's governance. The scandal has become a rallying point for anti-corruption movements in the country, which has long struggled with systemic corruption.
TIDBIT FROM SANDY INGRAM, 26 NOV
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