IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Trade finance in Iraq: Disruptions in remittances freeze importers’ liquidity

Trade finance in Iraq: Disruptions in remittances freeze importers’ liquidity

2026-11-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The termination of the dollar platform in Iraq did not lead to the smooth financing of foreign trade as hoped, as the bottlenecks moved from the old transfer mechanism to correspondent banks and their complex procedures, amid delays in importers’ remittances and the freezing of their funds, while small traders find themselves facing limited options that push some of them to the parallel market, which ultimately affects commodity prices and the purchasing power of citizens. Read more…

An Iraqi ministry threatens international oil companies with “strict and decisive” measures.

An Iraqi ministry threatens international oil companies with “strict and decisive” measures.

2026-11-02

Shafaq News – Basra
Environment Minister Sarwa Abdul Wahid threatened on Monday to take strict legal action against international oil companies operating in Basra Governorate, warning of continued pollution resulting from their activities, while demanding that plans be put in place to address environmental damages in proportion to the size of the profits these companies make from working in Iraq. Read more…

Ministry of Oil: Unveiling a plan to develop the Iraqi tanker fleet

Ministry of Oil: Unveiling a plan to develop the Iraqi tanker fleet

11-2-2026

The Ministry of Oil announced on Monday that the Iraqi tanker fleet currently comprises six medium and small tankers, confirming a plan to purchase larger vessels. The ministry also indicated its intention to enter into partnership agreements with specialized and reputable companies in the maritime transport sector. Ministry spokesperson Salim al-Rikabi told the official news agency that “the Iraqi tanker fleet currently Read more…

$500 million will arrive in Iraq tomorrow… and the exchange rate will decrease.

$500 million will arrive in Iraq tomorrow… and the exchange rate will decrease.

11-1-2026

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mohammed Tamim confirmed on Sunday that a new shipment of $500 million will arrive tomorrow from the United States.

Tamim said in a statement published by the official agency that “the exchange rate of the dollar in the parallel market will decrease and will be close to the official rate.” Read more…

After it rose to 30 trillion in the budget, can the government achieve non-oil revenues?

After it rose to 30 trillion in the budget, can the government achieve non-oil revenues?

11-1-2026

Information/Special…
MP Shaima al-Fatlawi warned on Sunday against treating the estimated 30 trillion dinar non-oil revenues in the budget as guaranteed funds, stressing that these figures remain financial estimates that may or may not be realized depending on the government’s ability to actually collect them.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Fatlawi said, “The Iraqi economy remains a rentier economy that relies primarily on oil revenues, which makes achieving the targeted non-oil revenues a major challenge given the limited diversification of income sources and the weakness of the productive sectors.” Read more…

Al-Surji: The SOMO agreement ends the salary crisis for employees in the Kurdistan Region.

Al-Surji: The SOMO agreement ends the salary crisis for employees in the Kurdistan Region.

11-1-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Ghiath al-Surji, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), confirmed the stability of the process of sending employee salaries from Baghdad to the Kurdistan Region following the agreement to export the region’s oil through the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). Read more…

The 2027 budget: postponed solutions and closed revenue streams

The 2027 budget: postponed solutions and closed revenue streams

11-1-2026

The 2027 budget remains circulating within the Cabinet, with no clear date set for its submission to Parliament. This is especially true after the government’s announcement of raising the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar, necessitating a review of many budget items and a recalculation of accounts to reflect the new realities. Meanwhile, some criticism has emerged regarding the existence of numerous potential revenue streams that remain unexplored Read more…

22 parliamentary committees are awaiting a decision… Will the “single basket” resolve the disputes?

22 parliamentary committees are awaiting a decision… Will the “single basket” resolve the disputes?

11-1-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Member of Parliament Mukhtar al-Youssef called on Sunday for political forces and blocs to abandon traditional power-sharing mechanisms and adopt the criteria of competence and scientific specialization in selecting the heads and members of the permanent parliamentary committees, in addition to electoral merit. Read more…

A first-of-its-kind visit: Maliki in Kirkuk with four security files and awaits direct decisions.

A first-of-its-kind visit: Maliki in Kirkuk with four security files and awaits direct decisions.

11-1-2026

Information/Kirkuk…
A government source revealed on Sunday that the Minister of Interior will discuss four key issues during his first visit to Kirkuk, indicating that the visit is expected to result in a number of direct decisions.
The source explained to Al-Maalomah that “Minister of Interior Yasser al-Maliki and senior ministry officers arrived in Kirkuk and held extensive meetings with the local government and its council, in the presence of Read more…

Joint oil pipeline: Saudi Arabia agrees “in principle,” Iraq “pays”

Joint oil pipeline: Saudi Arabia agrees “in principle,” Iraq “pays”

2026-11-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Informed sources revealed on Saturday that Saudi Arabia has given “initial approval” to restore the joint oil export pipeline with Iraq, but this requires the construction of a new pipeline and Iraq will bear part of the cost after the previous pipeline went out of service. Read more…

Despite its increased oil imports, the US has stopped buying Iraqi crude for the fifth week.

Despite its increased oil imports, the US has stopped buying Iraqi crude for the fifth week.

2026-11-01

Shafaq News – Washington / Baghdad
U.S. imports of Iraqi crude oil were zero for the fifth consecutive week last week.

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, showed that the average U.S. imports of crude oil Read more…

The Ministry of Media and Communications is in negotiations with Apple to launch Apple Pay in Iraq.

The Ministry of Media and Communications is in negotiations with Apple to launch Apple Pay in Iraq.

2026-11-01

Shafaq News – Erbil
The head of the executive body of the Media and Communications Commission, Baligh Abu Kalal, revealed that official negotiations and discussions are underway with the global company “Apple” to launch the “Apple Pay” electronic payment service and regulate the privacy policy within the Iraqi market. Read more…

Al-Rafidain Bank grants genuine retirees loans of up to 10 million dinars, excluding heirs.

Al-Rafidain Bank grants genuine retirees loans of up to 10 million dinars, excluding heirs.

2026-11-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Sunday that the financial loans provided by Al-Rafidain Bank, amounting to 5 and 10 million dinars, are available to genuine retirees who are no more than 75 years old.

The source explained to Shafaq News Agency that the loans are limited to original retirees and do not include heirs, indicating that the interest rate is 6%, Read more…

Anticipated changes in Iraq include pensions, border crossings, banks, and financial positions.

Anticipated changes in Iraq include pensions, border crossings, banks, and financial positions.

2026-11-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed government source revealed on Sunday that there is a move to make administrative changes that include a number of government bodies and institutions, most notably the directorates of retirement and border crossings, as well as government banks, financial departments and institutions, and positions in the ministry. Read more…

The meeting of the coordination framework will address al-Zaydi’s regional tour and the arms control issue tomorrow, Monday.

The meeting of the coordination framework will address al-Zaydi’s regional tour and the arms control issue tomorrow, Monday.

2026-11-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Coordination Framework, which includes the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq, is scheduled to hold its periodic meeting tomorrow, Monday, to discuss a number of important issues with Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi.

A source within the framework told Shafaq News Agency that “the leaders of the Coordination Framework will hold their periodic meeting tomorrow, Read more…

Kurdistan Region requests Baghdad to approve 4 new border crossings

Kurdistan Region requests Baghdad to approve 4 new border crossings

2026-11-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, MP Ikhlas al-Dulaimi, from the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc, revealed the existence of three types of border crossings in the Kurdistan Region, stressing that the issue is raised during negotiations and meetings between representatives of the regional government and the federal government.

Al-Dulaimi told Shafaq News Agency that “the first type consists of the officially registered and recognized outlets Read more…

The Judicial Council recovers 21 billion from a financial fraud crime.

The Judicial Council recovers 21 billion from a financial fraud crime.

11-1-2026

The Second Karkh Investigation Court recovered on Sunday an amount of 21 billion and 424 million Iraqi dinars for a financial fraud crime. The Judicial Council stated in a statement that “the amount was recovered from two companies that violated the law to obtain the difference in the dollar exchange rate through fraudulent money transfer operations outside the country.”

It is worth mentioning that Read more…

Al-Bayati: The arrival of the budget in November is almost certain

Al-Bayati: The arrival of the budget in November is almost certain

10-31-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Mohammed al-Bayati confirmed on Saturday that resorting to borrowing to support the 2027 budget is very likely, while indicating that the budget’s arrival this November is almost certain, given the government’s indications.
Al-Bayati explained to Al-Maalouma that “most of the items in the 2027 budget are still unclear because they haven’t been finalized yet within the government. Therefore, we are waiting for the Cabinet to vote on it before it reaches Read more…

Al-Zaidi visits Bahrain and Kuwait to discuss the impact of Mubarak Port on Faw and the situation of Shiites

Al-Zaidi visits Bahrain and Kuwait to discuss the impact of Mubarak Port on Faw and the situation of Shiites

2026-10-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Saturday that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is expected to visit Bahrain and Kuwait this week to discuss important issues, including outstanding matters between Iraq and Kuwait, and the situation of the Shiite community in Bahrain.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaidi’s visit to Bahrain and Kuwait will address important issues, including dealing with the thorny issues between Iraq and Kuwait, related to Read more…

Al-Marsoumi: Raising the Iraqi-Chinese agreement’s quota to 175,000 barrels of oil per day

Al-Marsoumi: Raising the Iraqi-Chinese agreement’s quota to 175,000 barrels of oil per day

10-31-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi explained on Saturday that the 2027 budget included adding 25,000 barrels per day of crude oil to the Iraqi-Chinese agreement, to ensure the payment of financial obligations due from Iraq and guaranteed by sovereign guarantees.

Al-Marsoumi told Al-Maalouma that “this addition will raise the oil exports Read more…