The Securities Commission grants the first license to a foreign brokerage firm to operate in Iraq
On Sunday, the Securities Authority announced that it had granted official approval to a foreign brokerage firm to operate in the securities markets, making it the first company to receive this approval in accordance with the modern regulatory procedures adopted by the Authority.
The commission confirmed in a statement that this step comes within its ongoing efforts to regulate and develop the work environment in the Iraqi financial market and enhance transparency and efficiency in line with best international practices, and in a way that contributes to supporting investment, stimulating trading activity and attracting global expertise to the market.
She explained that the approval was granted after the company completed all the technical and regulatory requirements, ensuring the integrity of the procedures and protecting the rights of investors, as well as raising the level of institutional performance of brokerage companies operating in the market.
color: #1b1b1b; max-width: 100%;">The statement affirmed that this approval is an important indicator of the Authority’s direction towards opening new horizons for brokerage companies, especially foreign ones, and encouraging the entry of new companies that contribute to the development of the Iraqi capital market and enhance investor confidence in it, which represents one of the Authority’s main objectives in regulating, protecting and developing the market. link
I know many IQD investors...are thinking and saying over and over $1 to 1 dinar.
People who understand international currency laugh at us because it's just not economically possible. That doesn't mean it can't happen, butit does mean there are some steps in-between that we need to acknowledge as intelligent IQD investors...
I'm not trying to burst your bubble...What I'm saying to you is there is some things that must happen before the 1 to 1 could or will happen.
I'm not trying to say the Iraqi dinar will not value at $1 to 1 IQD because it very well could in the future but not now and not in the beginning...It has to go through baby steps.
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📊 Understanding the Iraqi Dinar: Why “1 IQD = $1” Is Not an Overnight Reality
Many IQD investors repeat the idea of a 1-to-1 exchange rate (1 IQD = $1 USD) with strong conviction.
However, when we step back and look at how international currency systems actually work, it becomes clear why experienced economists often view this expectation as highly unlikely in the short term.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible in the long run—but it does mean there are real-world economic steps and conditions that must happen first.
🌍 Reality of Currency Revaluation
International currencies don’t jump suddenly from low value to parity without major structural changes. For the Iraqi dinar to approach a strong valuation, several foundational elements typically need to improve:
📈 Stable and diversified economy (beyond oil dependency)
🏦 Strong, independent central banking system
💱 Controlled inflation and monetary stability
🌐 Global trade confidence and foreign investment flow
🧾 Consistent fiscal and political stability
Without these, a sudden 1:1 valuation would create extreme economic imbalance.
🪜 “Baby Steps” Matter More Than Big Expectations
Rather than expecting an instant jump, currency development—especially in post-conflict or rebuilding economies—usually happens in gradual stages:
📊 Stabilization of internal financial systems
💵 Controlled adjustments in exchange rates
🌐 Increased integration into global markets
📉 Reduction of inflationary pressure
🏦 Long-term monetary reforms
Each step builds trust and economic credibility before any major revaluation could even be considered.
🧠 A More Realistic Investor Mindset
Being an intelligent IQD investor doesn’t mean dismissing long-term potential—it means understanding timing and conditions.
It’s reasonable to believe:
The Iraqi dinar could strengthen in the future
Significant reforms may improve its value over time
But expecting instant 1:1 parity today or in early stages is not aligned with economic reality
💬 Final Thought
Hope and optimism are part of investing—but they should be balanced with patience and understanding of how global economics actually work. The path, if it happens, is more likely to be gradual, structured, and conditional, not sudden or explosive.
The reason for postponing the vote on the cabinet today has been revealed
Former MP Abdul Hadi Al-Saadawi revealed on Sunday the reasons for postponing the vote on the cabinet in the House of Representatives, attributing this to the failure of some political blocs to decide on their candidates for ministerial portfolios, which led to the inability to vote on the government formation today.
Al-Saadawi told Al-Furat News Agency, “It was likely that the Al-Zidi government would be given confidence today in the House of Representatives after all preparations were completed; however, the vote was postponed as a result of some political blocs not deciding on their candidates for the ministries.”
He added that "it is too early to announce the completion of the cabinet due to the existence of disagreements between the political blocs," indicating that "the absence of a fully empowered government is having a negative impact on the country."
Al-Saadawi pointed out that "there are major obstacles facing the prime minister-designate, even from within the coordination framework and the rest of the national space, which requires more consultation and effort to convince the blocs to proceed with presenting the cabinet and voting on it within the House of Representatives."
He pointed out that "Al-Zidi has a strong incentive to complete his cabinet through consultation and understanding with various political forces."
Regarding the challenges facing the new government, Al-Saadawi explained that "the first of these is the financial file," expecting "its move towards raising the exchange rate of the dinar to reduce the deficit in the 2026 budget," considering "this a difficult decision in addition to the security challenges in the region, especially the American-Iranian war and the repercussions it imposes on the country."
He concluded by saying that "the next government needs a clear economic and security vision to keep Iraq away from the region's conflicts." link
💱 Decoding the Three Zeros: Redenomination or a Path Toward Potential Future Revaluation? 🚀📊
The discussion around removing zeros from a currency often blends technical monetary reform with expectations of economic revaluation. However, when analyzed through structural reforms, banking modernization, and macroeconomic fundamentals, it becomes clearer how such changes may indirectly support long-term currency stability and potential strength.
🧩 1. “Removing zeros” ≠ increasing real value
A redenomination is primarily a technical and accounting reform, not a direct increase in currency value.
✔ Simplifies pricing and accounting systems ✔ Reduces numerical complexity after inflation episodes ✔ Improves banking and financial infrastructure efficiency
❗ However, it does not automatically increase purchasing power or exchange value.
📈 2. Technical adjustment vs. real currency revaluation
A true revaluation occurs when a currency gains value in foreign exchange markets due to real economic improvements such as:
Fiscal and monetary stability
Controlled inflation
Productive economic growth
Strong institutional credibility
Improved balance of payments
💡 In other words, it is not a cosmetic change, but a fundamental shift in economic strength.
🏦 3. The REER framework: understanding real competitiveness
The Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) is a key indicator for measuring a currency’s real strength relative to its trading partners.
REER=NEER×PextPdom
📊 When REER strengthens sustainably:
The economy becomes less inflation-distorted
External competitiveness improves or stabilizes
Investor confidence tends to increase
🏗️ 4. Banking modernization and structural reform
Financial system upgrades and banking modernization can play an important indirect role:
✔ Increased transparency and regulatory efficiency ✔ Reduced reliance on cash-based or informal systems ✔ Improved integration with global financial networks ✔ Better monetary policy transmission mechanisms
📌 While these reforms do not directly revalue a currency, they enhance trust and economic credibility, which are essential long-term drivers of currency strength.
🛢️ 5. Diversifying income sources: building resilience
When an economy reduces dependence on a single revenue stream (such as oil) and expands non-oil income:
Fiscal volatility decreases
Government stability improves
Long-term planning becomes more reliable
📊 This creates a more stable macroeconomic environment that supports currency fundamentals over time.
🌍 6. Can this lead to future revaluation?
From a purely economic perspective, the most accurate interpretation is:
👉 If structural reforms continue consistently 👉 If inflation remains controlled 👉 If institutions gain credibility 👉 If financial integration increases
💡 Then a currency may experience gradual strengthening of its real value over time, but this is never automatic or guaranteed.
⚖️ Conclusion
Removing zeros is a technical reform. Revaluation is an economic outcome.
Between them lies the real driver of currency strength: macroeconomic stability, banking modernization, and structural economic reform.
These factors do not guarantee appreciation—but they can create the conditions under which a currency may strengthen sustainably in the long run.
Al-Zidi and Al-Kadhimi discuss the political situation and the formation of the next government
The Iraqi Prime Minister-designate, Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, met today, Saturday, with former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.
During the meeting, the overall situation in the country was discussed, and a number of issues related to Iraq’s interests were discussed, in addition to emphasizing the importance of coordination and cooperation between political forces in order to form a comprehensive national government capable of facing various challenges, meeting the requirements of the current stage, and enhancing stability and serving the aspirations of citizens throughout the country.
Both sides stressed the need to unify efforts and support the path of national solutions in order to ensure the stability of the political and economic situation in Iraq link