The Central Bank of Iraq lists the reasons for the decline in foreign exchange reserves., 20 MARCH

  The Central Bank of Iraq lists the reasons for the decline in foreign exchange reserves.

The Central Bank of Iraq announced on Wednesday a decline in its foreign exchange reserves during the third quarter of 2024, explaining the reasons behind this decline.

The bank stated in a report seen by Shafaq News Agency that "Iraq's foreign currency reserves decreased by 0.52% during the third quarter of 2024, reaching 143.35 trillion dinars, compared to the same period in 2023, when reserves reached 144.10 trillion dinars."

The bank attributed this decline to "the Central Bank's resort to withdrawing cash liquidity from the market through enhanced cash sterilization operations, as part of its efforts to maintain monetary stability."

The report added, "As a result of these measures, cash receipts increased from 18.46 trillion dinars to 20.09 trillion dinars during the same period." 

He also pointed out that "the decline in oil prices from $82.2 to $77.3 during the same period was another factor in the decline in foreign reserves."

The bank explained that "the increase in receipts led to the depletion of a portion of net foreign reserves, and the issued currency increased from 100.06 trillion dinars to 104.13 trillion dinars, as a result of the increase in public spending, which in turn led to an increase in public debt."

The Central Bank emphasized that "despite this decline, it still possesses large net foreign reserves relative to the money supply, which makes it relatively secure, according to international financial standards that set a minimum of 20%."

It is worth noting that the internal monetary sterilization policy involves the central bank selling or buying financial assets in foreign currency with the aim of avoiding impacting the monetary base and limiting the effects of inflation resulting from cash flows.  link

Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Andy Schectman. 03/19/2025, 20 MARCH

 Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Andy Schectman. 03/19/2025

Mar 19

Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Andy Schectman. 03/19/2025 

It appears Mark has been taken off youtube for a week. So try Rumble and Twitch this week to find him 

The rolling chat does not work well on Rumble…so cannot easily post member questions or comments…  Notes will be very short this week. 

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: Will the RV happen by Sunday…IYO?

MZ: I don’t know if it will go by Sunday or not…but it appears things are well underway. That is the overwhelming message I am getting out of redemption areas. 

Member: will the Zim still be included in our exchanges. 

MZ: I am 99% certain it will be. My sources believe it will be. 

MZ: Bond folks are finding out when their final contracts appointments are. I had one person tell me they are about to get about $30K in travel money. 

MZ: Many folks from different bond groups have been issued instructions on when and where to go on their final closings. They are clearly positioning for a “mass release” 

MZ: I would not be surprised if there wasn’t already money flowing on that front based on the number of contacts that my messages now go straight to voicemail. The news has been exceptional. Some bond holders have already traveled.

MZ:  Smaller bond holders are still awaiting their money. Seems their travels funds are between $20-$30K….Most are having to travel to Europe. Traveling internationally across the ocean at the last minute is quite costly. I assume many of them are traveling by private jet as they are carrying boxes of bonds.

MZ: Imagine flying first class or economy and taking a backpack full of bonds through TSA? We would be terrified . A private jet would be much easier and safer. 

Member: 2 weeks from today is when Trump says the wealth transfer begins but I think that is for the public

Member: interesting Trump is calling it Liberation day…

MZ: I think they are setting us up for a big one. 

Member: My guess is that the IRS will be frozen for 90 days announced on Liberation Day. Tax deadline will be pushed and ultimately canceled.  Hopefully 

MZ: “Geologists uncover the largest iron ore deposit in history- Valued at a staggering $5.7 Trillion”  this is in Australia.  Clearly the world is moving to asset backed where commodities rule. 

MZ: “SEC officially drops Ripple lawsuit after 4 year battle” congratulations to all of you XRP’ers.

MZ:  ” Politician from Washington: Factions in Iraq are now “demilitarized”  He is saying this new US administration does not play games and is getting things done. Now Iraq is finally on board. The Iraqi people will no longer have “para-militaries “ all around them …and this is bringing calm and peace to the area 

MZ: “Financial expert advises Iraqis to buy gold” lots of articles about the gold reserves and the number of people in Iraq that are buying gold. 

MZ: “UN readiness to help Iraq recover corruption funds-Integrity”  The Us is helping them find billion and billions of dinar that have been smuggled out over the years. This takes it out of circulation and improves the value of the IQD

MZ: My contacts in Iraq are saying the budget tables should arrive at Parliament any day now. Articles say just how necessary this is for projects and the economy. 

MZ: “All hell breaks loose in Turkey. Arrest of Erdogan’s top opponent sends Lira crashing to record low . Triggers market wide trading halt”  this could be a massive power shift in the middle east. 

Andy Schectman from Miles Franklin joins the stream today. Please listen to the replay for his information and opinions

THE CONTENT IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR GENERAL & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY&NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE ANY PROFESSIONAL, FINANCIAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSIDER EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IN MARKZ’S OPINION ONLY.

SANDY INGRAM: Zimbabwe has pulled a fast one on the global stage @DINARREVALUATION #iraqidinar

 

, With the participation of the Minister of Finance, the meetings of the International Debt Management Conference resume in Geneva 20 MARCH

 With the participation of the Minister of Finance, the meetings of the International Debt Management Conference resume in Geneva

The 14th session of the International Debt Management Conference, organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), resumed in Geneva from March 17 to 19, 2025, with the participation of Finance Minister Taif Sami.

The meetings covered several important topics, most notably "Governance, Accountability, and Transparency in a World of Financial Constraints," "The Relationship between Debt and Climate: Innovative Debt Tools for Managing Financial Risks,"

"Enhancing Debt Transparency: Rethinking Reporting and Ensuring Standards," and "Strategies for Managing Institutional Challenges to Establish a Sustainable Debt Management Office."  link

SANDY INGRAM : US Warns Iraqi Prime Minister- Trouble Brewing, 20 MARCH

 SANDY INGRAM : US Warns Iraqi Prime Minister- Trouble Brewing

Highlights

Summary

The video discusses escalating tensions between Iraq’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al Sudani and the Trump Administration, specifically involving the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.

 During a recent phone call, Hegseth warned Sudani that the U.S. would retaliate against any Iraqi armed groups that support military actions in Yemen against U.S. interests. The dynamics of Iraq’s internal power, particularly regarding militia factions, come under scrutiny, as Sudani assures Hegseth that the Iraqi government is working toward a peaceful resolution with these armed groups. 

The dialogue reflects broader regional conflicts, particularly Yemen’s military aggression against U.S. ships, and highlights the complexities of U.S.-Iraq relations. The video illustrates ongoing U.S. pressure on Iraq, emphasizing a reduced reliance on Iranian energy and the need to maintain military order as the Iraqi government struggles to exert control over armed factions.

• 🎖️ Hegseth’s Warning: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth communicated a serious warning to Iraq’s Prime Minister about the consequences of supporting armed groups in Yemen.
• 🌍 Sanctions on Iran: The Trump Administration is enforcing measures to cut off Iraq’s electricity deal with Iran, aiming to reduce the country’s dependency on Iranian energy.
• ⚔️ Armed Groups in Iraq: Iraq grapples with controlling various militia factions, complicating Sudani’s governance and efforts for peace.
• ✈️ Military Engagement: Yemen’s military has targeted U.S. assets, aggravating the situation and prompting U.S. military responses.
• 🔄 Dialogue for Peace: Sudani claims the Iraqi government is engaged in discussions with armed groups to find a peaceful resolution.
• 📞 Key Conversations: The phone call between Hegseth and Sudani reflects the urgency of addressing regional conflicts and military control within Iraq.
• ⏳ Stalled Negotiations: Despite ongoing dialogue about militia control, concrete outcomes appear elusive, continuing a cycle of tension and instability.

Key Insights

• ⚖️ U.S. Influence Over Iraq: The conversation between Hegseth and Sudani underlines the significant leverage the U.S. holds over Iraq. The U.S. continues to apply pressure for Iraq to dismantle its armed groups and reassess its military policies, indicating that American interests greatly influence Iraqi governance. This dynamic reflects a broader geopolitical strategy where U.S. foreign policy seeks to mitigate perceived threats from regional actors such as Iran and extremist factions.

• 💡 Militia Control Challenges: The existence of powerful armed groups in Iraq complicates the government’s ability to maintain law and order. Prime Minister Sudani’s commitment to negotiating with these factions suggests a recognition of their entrenched presence within Iraq’s political landscape. This struggle for control not only diminishes the Iraqi government’s sovereignty but also poses risks to stability and invites further foreign intervention.

• ⚔️ Regional Military Escalations: The recent attacks on U.S. military assets by Yemen heighten tensions in the region and showcase the interconnected nature of these conflicts. Hegseth’s warning illustrates how actions in one area can provoke military responses in another, significantly complicating diplomatic efforts and advancing retaliation cycles.

• 📉 Reduced Iranian Dependency: The Trump Administration’s decision to cut off the electricity deal with Iran is a strategic maneuver aimed at curbing Iran’s influence in Iraq. This sanctions approach could lead to domestic unrest in Iraq, as dependency on Iranian energy has been significantly intertwined with Iraq’s economic stability, thus potentially destabilizing the region further.

• 🌀 Dialogue vs. Action: Sudani’s assurances regarding dialogue with armed groups reflect a hopeful stance but indicate an inherent contradiction; while seeking peace, there has been little demonstrable change in the situation on the ground. This highlights a critical insight that diplomatic negotiations must be paired with actionable plans to dismantle armed factions.

• ✈️ Inherent Risks of Military Presence: The U.S. military’s historical engagements in Iraq have fostered a complex relationship, often eliciting resentments among local factions who feel threatened or undermined. The presence of foreign military advisors is meant to stabilize the region, but the Iraqi government’s assertion that it will control the use of force underlines the deep-seated issues of legitimacy and nationalism that complicate this presence.

• 🕰️ Stalled Peace Efforts: The ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iraqi authorities leave many questions unanswered regarding the future of militia groups. Hegseth’s expression of urgency for Iraq to address these groups indicates a critical turning point in U.S.-Iraq relations and suggests an impending need for more decisive action. The lack of concrete outcomes from years of negotiation signals a potential stalemate that could erupt into conflict if left unaddressed.

Together, these insights collectively illustrate a complex and evolving geopolitical landscape where internal dynamics of Iraq and its relationship with external powers, primarily the U.S. and Iran, converge to shape security and sovereignty, complicating efforts toward stability and peace.

Nader From The Mid East: I tell you about three things. Trade, private sector @DINARREVALUATION

 

FRANK26: "SECURITY & STABILITY = ALL OF THIS, 20 MARCH

 KTFA

FRANK26: "SECURITY & STABILITY = ALL OF THIS"......F26

Egyptian companies are invading the Iraqi market. Al-Sudani's advisor reveals the secrets of their expansion.

 

3/18/2025

 

The Prime Minister's economic advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, commented on Tuesday on the reasons for the recent increase in the presence of Egyptian companies in Iraq, stressing that the reason is due to the economic reforms and stability the country is witnessing ;.

"A country's capital wealth is measured by several indicators, including the extent of physical capital accumulation, particularly in the construction sector," Saleh told Shafaq News Agency. He noted that "Egypt is a leading country in this field, with its construction companies achieving significant success in development projects within Egypt, which has prompted them to expand their activities regionally."

He added, "The services program adopted by the Sudanese government as part of comprehensive economic reforms has contributed to creating an attractive investment environment for foreign companies, encouraging Egyptian companies to enter the Iraqi market strongly and contribute to development and reconstruction projects."

The economic advisor explained that "the political and economic stability in Iraq has boosted the confidence of foreign and Arab investors, including Egyptian companies, who have found promising opportunities to contribute to the implementation of major projects." He noted that "the strong historical relations between Iraq and Egypt have played a significant role in strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries."

Saleh pointed out that "the services government, headed by Al-Sudani, has placed economic facilitation and reforms at the top of its priorities, which has contributed to creating the appropriate environment for Egyptian companies to enter the Iraqi market and participate effectively in reconstruction and development projects."

On January 30, 2025, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and his Egyptian counterpart, Mostafa Madbouly, sponsored the signing ceremony of a number of memoranda of understanding between the two countries .

The bilateral memoranda between Iraq and Egypt included 12 paragraphs, the most prominent of which related to trade, transportation, issues related to culture and antiquities, and other details .

LINK