An economist says Iraqi politicians’ statements and speculation are behind the rise in the dollar’s price.
An economist says Iraqi politicians’ statements and speculation are behind the rise in the dollar’s price.
2026-09-17
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, economist Ali Daadoush blamed some politicians, the state of “uncertainty,” and speculation for the rise in the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar.
Daadoush told Shafaq News Agency that the “irresponsible” statements of some politicians and non-experts directly affect local markets, especially the exchange rate, as well as the state of uncertainty and speculation, which leads to an increase in demand for the dollar in the parallel market and a rise in its exchange rate.
He explained that the “dollar supply” in the market also comes from the reverse or returning dollar from travelers, travel companies, and some exchange companies that coordinate their work with citizens who buy dollars at the official price through the travel, treatment, study, and other purposes that were previously specified by the Central Bank of Iraq.
He added that this supply also declined due to the decrease in the dollar held by traders and importers abroad, as a result of delays in official transfers allocated for imports of goods and services.
He explained that the high exchange rate is directly reflected in local prices, as Iraq imports various goods, which leads to imported inflation that is reflected in the prices of goods and services, in addition to the increased customs duties and taxes, which has contributed to the increase in prices in local markets.
Daadoush indicated that he does not believe the Central Bank will take any actual action or intervene directly in the parallel exchange market, explaining that the bank adopts the official exchange system and that financial transfers take place through the banking system.
He pointed out that the central bank can intervene through one of its tools, which is future guidance to reassure traders, importers and the public in general, about the continued flow of cash dollars through the monthly or semi-monthly shipments sent by the US Federal Reserve.
The exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar has gradually increased over the past few days, and today, Thursday, it is approaching the level of 160,000 dinars for 100 dollars.
shafaq.com
