You didn't have anybody talking about privatizing the banks 20 years ago...It wasn't in the pipeline. It's obviously different from 2016. We don't have ISSI anymore. It's obviously different from 2018.
Why would they print all that currency in 2018 and then just stop doing it?
...It's really a complex situation. It's more than just pushing a button... There was a component of corruption...We all know they're going to have transparency and accountability...With the likes of Ernst & Young involved the world will find confidence...You're going to find big things are underway for this country.
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Article: "The Central Bank announces the participation of 13 Iraqi banks in foreign transfer in multiple currencies"
Friday afternoon...10pm in Baghdad, article hits the wires.
Quote: "Delegation in New York announces the start of the new phase of external transfers...facilitating international transfers"
If Iraq is going to be dealing with the Euro, the Chinese Yuan, Indian Rupee, the UAE Durham they're probably going to have to have Article VIII compliant currency that's acceptable globally, traded on the Forex... This is big.
A high-level negotiating delegation from the Central Bank in New York City, USA
The Central Bank of Iraq announced the results of the visit of the delegation headed by His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, to the United States of America, which lasted from August 26 to 29, 2024.
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed that a high-level negotiating delegation headed by His Excellency the Governor, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, held a series of intensive meetings in New York City, USA, which included discussions with the US Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Bank, in addition to meetings with a group of companies (Visa, Mastercard and MoneyGram) as well as banks (Citi Bank and JP Morgan) as well as international auditing firms (KPMG, E&Y, K2i and Oliver Wyman).
Adding that the participants in the meetings praised the major transformations accomplished by the Central Bank of Iraq, which represent an unprecedented achievement at the country level, as the bank has achieved remarkable progress in the procedures for monitoring foreign transfers and cash sales of the US dollar, which has led to improving systems,
policies and procedures in accordance with international and local standards, enhancing transparency in covering foreign trade and providing protection for the banking and financial sector from the risks of money laundering, financing terrorism and financial crimes.
Announcing a meeting between officials of the Central Bank of Iraq and its international partners at the end of this year regarding the major transformation in ending the work of the electronic platform for foreign transfers and replacing it with direct banking relations between Iraqi banks and the network of international correspondent banks, according to the plan developed by this bank, and implemented internationally
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which will allow the Central Bank of Iraq and the Federal Reserve Bank to exercise their supervisory roles away from executive procedures, as this transformation will have important repercussions in the stability, fluidity and transparency of the country's foreign trade financing operations, indicating that it aims to achieve the required stability in exchange rates,
which in turn will lead to enhancing the efficiency of the financial system in Iraq. Noting that the meetings in New York City also addressed mechanisms for expanding the network of international correspondent banks and qualifying Iraqi banks to meet the necessary requirements to open their accounts with international correspondent banks, with the aim of enabling them to complete their financial transactions, whether through external transfers in US dollars or other foreign currencies.
Fouad Hussein's Engagement with the US on the International Coalition Against ISIS
On September 1, 2024, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein met with the US Ambassador, Alina Romanowski, in Washington to discuss the international coalition conference against ISIS. The conference aimed at assessing the ongoing efforts and future strategies in combating the remnants of the Islamic State group in the region.
The conference was part of a broader dialogue between Iraq and the US, reflecting the strategic relationship and mutual interests in maintaining security and stability in Iraq and the broader Middle East. The discussions also touched upon the future of the US military presence in Iraq, with the Biden administration signaling an openness to redefine the strategic relationship between Baghdad and Washington.
Key Points of Discussion
While details of the conference discussions were not fully disclosed, a senior Iraqi diplomatic source revealed that the talks centered around three main points. First, the potential announcement of an end to the international mission to fight ISIS, which would necessitate a reevaluation of the strategic relationship between Iraq and the US. Second, the US military withdrawal from Iraq was discussed, with the understanding that it would depend on certain conditions and outcomes from the conference.
Implications for Iraq-US Relations
The meeting between Fouad Hussein and the US Ambassador highlighted the ongoing negotiations and the evolving nature of Iraq-US relations. It underscored the importance of cooperation in addressing security challenges and the role of the international coalition in combating terrorism.
Fouad Hussein discusses with the US Ambassador the details of the international coalition conference against ISIS in Washington
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed with US Ambassador to Baghdad Alina Romanowski on Saturday the details of the international coalition conference against ISIS, which will be held in Washington next month.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, a copy of which was received by Kurdistan 24, that "Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein received today, Saturday, August 31, 2024, the US Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romansky."
The statement indicated that "during the meeting, the ongoing negotiations regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and sending aid, especially medical aid, to the Strip were discussed."
He added, "The military operation carried out in the Anbar desert was referred to, which resulted in the neutralization of 15 ISIS terrorists. The minister praised the joint cooperation between the Iraqi and American forces and the success of this important operation."
He added that the meeting "touched on the conference of the international coalition against ISIS scheduled to be held in Washington early next month, and Iraq's participation in it. It is worth noting that this coalition includes 87 partners, and was established primarily to fight the terrorist organization ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and the conference will be at the level of foreign ministers of the participating countries."
The statement concluded by saying, "The United Nations General Assembly meetings to be held next month, which will be attended by dozens of world leaders, were discussed. The role of the two countries in these meetings and the required coordination between them to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the participation of the two countries' delegations in New York were also discussed." link
Iraq just visited the United States on August 26 to 29, 2024. It was a high level negotiating team that met with JP Morgan, the US Treasury, Federal Reserve Bank, visa, mastercard, moneygram, Citibank, as well as International auditing firms such as KPMG, E&Y, K2i and Oliver Wyman.
One of the values of a meaning such as this includes trade facilitation. International auditing standards help to facilitate trade and support economic growth. Every international negotiator knows how to factor currency rates into agreements with their foreign business partners.
Part of the discussion dealt with moving from an electronic platform to a virtual bank whereby a Direct Banking relationship can occur. Direct banks, also known as branch-less or virtual banks, offer their services online, through mobile apps, email, and other electronic means.
Another portion of the conversation moved towards International engagement through International correspondent banking such as the Swift system provides. A network of international correspondent banks is a complex system of financial institutions that work together to facilitate global transactions.
Yes, this requires a stable exchange rate that can be used between countries in trade and foreign currency exchange. These determinations are a part of supply and demand ratios factored in through trade.
The people invited to this meeting was no accident. It was a negotiating team ready for action. It was a meeting to discuss "the requirements necessary to open their accounts with international correspondent banks." This transition is expected to occur by the end of this year.
This moves Iraq from a supervisory role with the United States to a more independent nation with their own rules and regulations to guide their financial agreements around the world. Yes, this is the information have been looking for for long time.