FIREFLY: the Iraqi dinar will regain its strength!

 

The first of its kind.. Sulaymaniyah opens an international financial center in the Kurdistan Region, 21 FEB

 The first of its kind.. Sulaymaniyah opens an international financial center in the Kurdistan Region

Shafaq News/ The city of Sulaymaniyah witnessed the opening of the International Center for Finance and Trade, on Thursday evening, in the presence of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, and the directors of Rafidain and Rashid Banks, in addition to economic and commercial figures from inside and outside the region.

Shafaq News Agency correspondent said that the center is the first of its kind in the Kurdistan Region, and the second in Iraq after the Iraq Stock Exchange, as it aims to enhance economic and commercial movement and attract foreign investments.

The center’s media officer, Shad Khosro, said during a press conference that this center will contribute to the development of the financial and commercial sector in Sulaymaniyah, and will provide a modern infrastructure that includes branches of foreign and local banks, in addition to financial stock companies and a stock exchange.

He explained that the establishment of this center comes within the framework of enhancing financial stability in the Kurdistan Region, and expanding the scope of trade exchange with the interior and exterior, noting that “it will become in the future a major financial exchange in Sulaymaniyah, which will contribute to attracting investors, providing new job opportunities, and reducing the unemployment rate in the region.”

The media official stressed that “the opening of this financial and commercial edifice represents an important step towards strengthening the economic infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region,” expecting that the coming period will witness an increasing demand from banks and companies to open their branches in this center, which will push the economy towards more growth and stability.

The opening of the International Finance and Trade Center in Sulaymaniyah comes at a time when the Kurdistan Region is witnessing major economic transformations, as it seeks to boost foreign investment and develop the business environment.

This center is part of a long-term strategy aimed at diversifying sources of income and reducing dependence on oil revenues by building a sustainable financial and commercial sector that meets international standards.

Iraq on the Cusp of WTO Membership: Banking Reforms Power the Next Big Step, 21 FEB

 Iraq on the Cusp of WTO Membership: Banking Reforms Power the Next Big Step

Iraq is rapidly positioning itself for World Trade Organization (WTO) membership, driven by landmark reforms led by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI).

 In a pivotal move, the CBI has transitioned external transfers from a specialized electronic platform to direct operations through international correspondent banks—signaling a bold alignment with global best practices.

 By introducing new permissible currencies, including the Jordanian dinar and Saudi riyal, and allowing euro-based trade with Turkey, the CBI underscores Iraq’s ambition to modernize its financial institutions and expand trade ties across regions.

These reforms reflect the CBI’s larger mission: diversifying Iraq’s trade financing, strengthening foreign exchange operations, and enhancing compliance to meet international standards. Major consulting firms like EY and Oliver Wyman have endorsed these strides, boosting confidence among foreign investors and international bodies.

 Just as significant, top-tier correspondent banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, and HSBC stand ready to facilitate Iraq’s deeper integration into the global financial network—an important component that the WTO strongly values in assessing a candidate country’s readiness for membership.

For Iraq, these developments mark a turning point toward greater stability and prosperity. By reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar and aligning its banking system with rigorous global standards, the country is paving the way for the wider acceptance of the Iraqi dinar on the international stage.

 As the final WTO accession talks approach, Iraq’s ongoing dedication to transparency, robust financial infrastructure, and strengthened anti-money laundering measures showcases its commitment to fair trade practices. This momentum toward WTO membership bodes well for Iraq’s economic outlook, heralding a future of sustained growth, broader global engagement, and enhanced credibility in international markets.

MZ: When the bond holders get their money …we are very close!!

 

“Coffee With MarkZ” Thursday Morning Chat 2-20-2025

 “Coffee With MarkZ” Thursday Morning Chat 2-20-2025

Feb 20

Thank you MarkZ for all your time, and encouragement daily….. PDK

MarkZ  Update- Some highlights by PDK-Not verbatim

MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context.  Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions

Member: Good morning and happy Thursday

Member: Would it be safe to put my two week notice in today? 

Member: I have mine typed up and ready to go…..hope I can hit “send” this week. 

MZ: the increased chatter on the bond side is awesome…more and more bond holders have checked in saying they have their dates and know what to expect over the coming weeks….…...we just need some bond holders with cash now. I have rumors that a bond holder has cash…but have not been able to confirm it. 

Member: Heard anything from your contact that went to Reno?

MZ: Group side remains quiet along with the prosperity package side and the CMKX side. 

MZ: Iraq is publishing more “good articles”  “Al Rafidan announces of an electronic system for tracking consumer transactions electronically”  they are modernizing things. These are a necessary step for the white paper reforms. 

MZ: “Expert: Talk about lack of cash is inaccurate and what is promoted is exaggerated” this has been a common theme in Iraq as they say they are fighting a “misinformation” attack. 

MZ: “Optimism about the opening of Rafidan and Rasheed Bank branches in the region-to stimulate the economy and attract investors”  they are talking about adding another 26-28 branches …They are closer and closer to their reforms. 

MZ: “ The weight of gold “Iraq and gold” exceeds 600 thousand in today’s market” Iraq has the most gold/gold smithing  in recorded human history. And it’s cranking back up. Gold smithing used to be an enormous part of the Iraqi economy. The world is fixated on gold right now. 

MZ: MilitiaMan and I had a conversation yesterday and he is also hearing all this amazing news. Be sure to listen to his new video update. 

Member: I heard Iraq made an announcement they will be working during Ramadan but will have a reduced workday by one hour.

Member: I wonder if all the other countries are ready to RV when Iraq does?

Member: I heard Trump says we taxpayers may get back 20% Dividends from Doge…Maybe the start of Nesara?

Member: Does anyone think the DOGE dividends will be to gray the influx of spending when the RV kicks off?

Member: DOGE is discovering enough funds to make the RV believable to the General Public ... Disclosure

Member: Will the Fort Knox audit lead to a gold back announced currency then CMKM is funded to the holders??? Could this be the spring board to a gold back announcement???

MZ: It’s possible. We may not be waiting for this audit….but I would rather it take a little longer to be done right. 

Member: The big thing will be the announcement the certificates are going to revalued to the actual value of gold.

Member: MarkZ.... I saw this morning that FOREX is adding a lot of different new currency for today's release... Amazing times.

Member: Goldilocks shared forex is setting up for migration of currency this weekend

Member: I would think they can’t send us dividends until the UST, The Fed reserve, and Ft. Knox has finished auditing….

Member: IMO The reason to do a Fort Knox tour is to put everything on the blockchain. All the slippery dealings will stop because everybody will be able to see what's going on when it's on the blockchain.

Member: MarkZ... The list of flights into Reno is incredible today... VERY Heavy private flights already in the air and inbound to Reno. 25 in the air now.

Member: Thanks Mark and Mods for everything you have done.

Member: Enjoy your day fellow RV’ers….the best is yet to comer

AJ : The United States of America threatened, today, Friday, February 21, 2025, the federal government in Iraq with sanctions if the Kurdistan Region's oil exports are not resumed quickly, 21 FEB

 AJ

The United States of America threatened, today, Friday, February 21, 2025, the federal government in Iraq with sanctions if the Kurdistan Region's oil exports are not resumed quickly. Reuters quoted sources as saying: "The administration of President Donald Trump asked Iraq to resume (Kurdish) oil exports quickly or face sanctions alongside Iran." The sources added, according to Reuters, that "Washington believes that Kurdish oil sales may help reduce crude prices and compensate for the decline in Iranian supplies." Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani revealed on Tuesday that Iraq had sent a delegation from the ministry to the Kurdistan Region to agree on a mechanism for delivering the region’s oil and exporting it through the Turkish port of Ceyhan. The Minister of Oil explained that he had contacted the Minister of Natural Resources in the region, Kamal Mohammed Saleh, to negotiate with the delegation about the mechanism for receiving and exporting oil through the Turkish port of Ceyhan. This came a day after Iraq accelerated the expected date for the resumption of oil exports from Kurdistan, as the federal oil minister said last Monday that oil exports from the Kurdistan region could resume within just a week. It is noteworthy that the President of the Region, Nechirvan Barzani, announced a few days ago that the resumption of shipments will likely take place next March. Iraq exports between 400,000 and 500,000 barrels per day from fields in the north of the country, including the Kurdistan region, via the now-defunct Iraq-Turkey pipeline. Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani said earlier this month that at least 300,000 barrels per day of crude were planned to be moved once operations resumed. In Iraqi Kurdistan, oil production ranges between about 280,000 and 300,000 barrels per day, and the regional government estimates its needs for domestic consumption - including power generation - at about 110,000 to 120,000 barrels per day.

TIDBIT FROM MARKZ, 21 FEB

  MarkZ   

[via PDK]  

 I know a couple people involved in the upper levels of groups that recently traveled to be in place. 

They say they are working hard but won’t say on what...We continue to hear this is an absolute priority for Trump. We hope that is accurate and we are off the “stuck” spot.