Sun. 10 Nov. 2024 Wolverine
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
"THE RV HAS STARTED" BY WOLVERINE, 12 NOV
Sun. 10 Nov. 2024 Wolverine
Central Bank of Iraq announces progress in dollar control procedures, 12 NOV
Central Bank of Iraq announces progress in dollar control procedures
The Central Bank of Iraq announced progress in monitoring foreign transfers and cash dollar sales and providing protection for the banking and financial sector from the risks of money laundering, following the ongoing discussions of the Central Bank of Iraq with the Federal Reserve and the US Treasury Department.
The bank's governor, Ali Al-Alaq, said in statements to Al-Hurra website that "the ongoing quarterly meetings with the Federal Reserve and the US Treasury Department within the framework of organizing operations and coordination between the two sides, which have close relations, led to an agreement on procedures and formulas that are consistent with best practices and international standards, the latest of which was the plan related to organizing foreign transfer operations by rebuilding them according to new standards and methods."
Al-Alaq revealed that Iraq has achieved 95% progress in terms of monitoring procedures for foreign transfers and cash dollar sales, and providing protection for the banking and financial sector from the risks of money laundering operations.
In July 2023, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on 14 banks, and months before that, similar sanctions were imposed on 4 other Iraqi banks after they were accused of money laundering.
The Iraqi government, through the Central Bank of Iraq, has been continuing its negotiations for about two years with the US Treasury Department to lift sanctions on these banks, all of which are private banks.
Jamal Kocher, a member of the Iraqi Parliamentary Finance Committee, confirms that the majority of the sanctioned banks are private banks that represent fronts for political parties with which the United States has stopped dealing.
Koger explained to Alhurra that “the US Treasury imposed sanctions on these Iraqi banks for their involvement in practices that fall under money laundering, money smuggling, and suspicious transactions. In return, the owners of these banks are pressuring the government to lift the sanctions on them, but I do not think that the United States will yield to these pressures. On the contrary, it is adamant about its position, and I do not think that without changing the behavior of these banks, America will abandon these sanctions and their imposition.”
Koger points out that the American pressures on the Central Bank of Iraq will not be eased unless there are changes in the behavior of these banks, calling on these banks to fully implement the conditions required by the US Federal Reserve in terms of transparency, clarity, and commitment to US sanctions on some countries. He said, “Any bank that deviates from these obligations will be subject to US sanctions, and measures will be taken against it.”
The number of banks in Iraq is about 79 banks, 8 of which are government banks, and one digital bank, while the banking sector suffers from a weakness in providing modern and advanced banking services.
For about two years, the Iraqi government has been seeking to digitize financial services, correct and rectify financial policy, enhance financial inclusion, keep pace with technological development, and restructure the banking sector in the country, which has not yet shaken off the dust of the political, economic, and security crises that have plagued it for decades. link
EXCERPTS FROM MARKZ, 12 NOV
EXCERPTS FROM MARKZ
Parliamentary Finance: 2025 Budget Aims to Achieve More Economic Stability, 12 NOV
Parliamentary Finance: 2025 Budget Aims to Achieve More Economic Stability
The Finance Committee revealed that the government has begun preparing the budget schedules for next year 2025, while indicating that the desired goals are to achieve development and increase non-oil revenues, in addition to achieving more economic stability for the country.
The head of the committee, Atwan Al-Atwani, said in an interview with “Al-Sabah” followed by “Al-Eqtisad News”, that “the government has begun preparing the infrastructure for the 2025 budget and has determined the requirements for reviewing this budget, as we look forward to these tables arriving next year or perhaps some of the items that the government needs to complete the requirements for their implementation, indicating that the goals set and desired from this budget are to achieve development, increase non-oil revenues, and search for means for clear economic stability.”
Al-Atwani added, "The operating budget has begun to extend over the investment budget, and this burdens the budget and makes it limited in its set objectives. Therefore, from now on, we must search for additional resources and achieve non-oil revenues that can provide stability to the economy," indicating that this matter led to "our move towards rationalizing consumption because it is an important matter."
Regarding the digital transformation process, the Chairman of the Finance Committee believes that this matter is “an essential structure for achieving a significant and noticeable increase in non-oil revenues, and all of this will be included and solutions sought for it in the 2025 budget.”
The head of the Finance Committee also explained that "the budget deficit may be the same as in 2024 because the government has been paying off its foreign loans, and in return, investment projects have been achieved and entered service, and there are other projects being implemented that have had a noticeable impact on the budget and its current expenditures."
The head of the committee continued, saying: “The government has started financing projects in the governorates with a second batch that reached 400 billion dinars for all governorates, and the same is true for financing some ministries to achieve their goals,” noting that “the financing batch during the coming months will be large and in line with what the ministries and governorates need, given that there are projects that these ministries and governorates have started and the governorates and ministries will be required to pay their financial requirements, especially towards private sector companies.” link
MILITIAMAN CC HIGHLIGHTS NOTES, 12 NOV
MILITIAMAN CC HIGHLIGHTS NOTES
Summary
Iraq is advancing in digital transformation and financial inclusion by involving the private sector in electronic payments, which could benefit investors.
Highlights
- 🌐 Iraq is embracing digital transformation in finance.
- 💳 Private sector participation in electronic payments is welcomed.
- 📈 Capital in private banks increased by 7.3%, indicating growth.
- 🔄 New banking reforms aim to modernize Iraq’s financial system.
- 💼 Focus on non-oil sectors for economic diversification.
- 📊 ISX index shows significant gains, reflecting investor confidence.
- 🤝 Increased collaboration with international partners, like Japan, for development.
Key Insights
- 🌍 Digital Transformation: Iraq’s shift towards a digital economy aligns with global trends, promoting efficiency and transparency in financial transactions. This could lead to a more competitive economic landscape.
- 💡 Financial Inclusion: Expanding electronic payments to the private sector supports broader access to financial services, potentially uplifting underserved communities and enhancing overall economic health.
- 📈 Banking Sector Growth: The 7.3% increase in private bank capital signals successful efforts to integrate cash into the banking system, fostering a more stable financial environment.
- 🏦 Reforms in Banking: The push for new banking technologies and practices indicates a commitment to modernizing Iraq’s financial infrastructure, which is vital for attracting investment.
- 🌱 Diversifying the Economy: Emphasizing non-oil sectors aims to mitigate reliance on oil revenues, fostering sustainable growth and resilience against market fluctuations.
- 📊 Investor Confidence: The ISX index’s remarkable rise reflects a growing trust in Iraq’s economic stability and reform efforts, enticing both local and international investors.
- 🤝 International Collaboration: Engaging with countries like Japan for investment in reconstruction and digital transformation showcases Iraq’s strategic approach to development and modernization.
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