Geopolitical controls push towards shifting to official channels for currency trading
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, confirmed that the geopolitical controls imposed on informal trade contribute to expanding dealings with official outlets for foreign currency, which contributes to financing foreign trade through the sound international financial system.
He pointed out in his statement to {Euphrates News} that “this shift aims to move away from informal financing from the parallel dollar market intensively, especially with the change in the behavior of small traders in avoiding the parallel market linked to the countries’ regional and geopolitical problems.”
Saleh added that “this shift comes in the context of the importance of increasing Iraq’s foreign reserves and confronting money smuggling operations, in addition to facilitating external transfer operations through Iraqi banks that deal with international banking correspondents, at an official exchange rate of 1,320 dinars per dollar.”
He also stressed that the end of the compliance platform phase adopted by the Central Bank of Iraq in the past two years and the country’s entry into a new phase has contributed to providing great flexibility in financial transfers through official channels.
Central Bank: Loans and advances in the Iraqi banking sector increased by 5.4%
The Central Bank of Iraq announced, on Monday, a significant increase in the volume of loans and advances in the banking sector by 5.4% during the last quarter of 2024, reflecting the growing financing capacity of individuals and companies, as the Central Bank’s media stated in a statement that the total loans and advances amounted to 64.12 trillion dinars, compared to 60.81 trillion dinars in the same period last year, indicating a significant growth in financial activity.
The statement also explained that this growth reflects the stimulation of economic activity and the increase in the financing capacity of investment and commercial projects, which contributes to creating new job opportunities and enhancing economic growth in the country.
Washington directly supervises the financial system in Iraq
Representative Mukhtar al-Moussawi confirmed today, Monday, that the United States directly supervises the financial system in Iraq, and is aware of the entire movement of money.
Al-Moussawi explained to Al-Maalouma that “the United States directly supervises the financial system in Iraq, and is fully aware of the movement of funds entering and exiting the country, which gives it broad economic influence that affects the financial decisions of the Iraqi government.
Regarding the security official, Al-Moussawi said that “Iraq has recovered in terms of security and has become able to protect its lands from terrorist attacks, thanks to the development of the capabilities of the armed forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces,” ruling out “the possibility that Washington will use the ISIS terrorist organization card again, given the expected failure of such attempts in the face of the high security readiness enjoyed by the Iraqi military apparatuses.
” Al-Moussawi criticized “some parties that promote the possibility of the return of the threat of the terrorist organization, and an attempt to repeat the 2014 scenario,” stressing that “the security forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces are ready to thwart any terrorist activity that may target the country.”
According to observers, the United States is playing its suspicious role in Iraq, whether through economic intervention or waving the security card, which calls for a firm national position to end its guardianship and restore full sovereignty.
