Central Bank of Iraq expands foreign transfers with new currencies
The Central Bank of Iraq announced the expansion of foreign transfer channels for local banks to include new currencies: the Jordanian dinar and the Saudi riyal, and allowing Iraqi banks to finance trade with Turkey in euros after it was previously limited to using them with European Union countries, in addition to transfers available in US dollars, Emirati dirhams, Chinese yuan and Indian rupees.
The bank explained that this step comes within its efforts to expand foreign trade financing options in various currencies and channels, and the bank has begun taking the necessary measures to meet banks' requests in these currencies.
The Central Bank indicated that this expansion in foreign transfer channels provides transfer operations at the official price, and aims to streamline transfers and involve a greater number of banks in foreign transfer operations, and expand the horizons of economic cooperation between Iraq and other countries, especially in light of the bank's efforts to find other channels to meet the volume of demand for various foreign currencies according to Iraq's dealings with those countries.
It is worth noting that a smooth transition took place during 2024 from the electronic platform to directly accredited correspondent banks, thus the Central Bank achieved a fundamental transformation in line with international banking practices, and this transition is widely praised.