Following the FATF decision, economists warn of a heavy cost and financial isolation for Iraq after its return to the grey list.

Following the FATF decision, economists warn of a heavy cost and financial isolation for Iraq after its return to the grey list.

2026-06-20

Following the FATF decision economists warn of a heavy cost and financial isolation for Iraq after its return to the grey listShafaq News – Baghdad/Erbil
Economic experts warned on Saturday of the repercussions of Iraq’s return to the “grey list” of countries under enhanced monitoring regarding efforts to combat money laundering and financial crimes, stressing that the slowness in addressing this issue could land the country on the “black list,” where Baghdad faces international financial and economic isolation.

A step backward and an international alarm bell

In this regard, Ziad Al-Hashemi, a researcher and consultant in economics and international transport, said in a blog post that Iraq’s return to the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list after it was removed from it in 2018 represents a step backward and an international alarm bell indicating that compliance standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing are still not being properly implemented.

He explained that “this negative development reveals a clear deficiency in the implementation of anti-money laundering and smuggling plans, which puts the Central Bank and the banking system in a worrying position before international financial institutions, and will increase the caution of international banks, especially correspondent banks that work with Iraq in completing dollar transfers.”

Al-Hashemi pointed out that the expected result of this inclusion is to impose more scrutiny on foreign transfers, and to obligate the Central Bank to take complex measures to stop suspicious transactions, indicating that these steps may take a long period of reviews and adjustments to implementation and monitoring procedures.

Compliance costs and parallel market pressures

From an economic standpoint, the economic consultant confirmed that listing inevitably means higher compliance costs and foreign transfers, a slowdown in investment flows, increased pressure on exchange rates in the parallel market, and growing demand for cash transactions outside the banking system, with a possible increase in the cost of external borrowing.

For his part, the head of the “Iraq Future” Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations, Manar Al-Obaidi, warned in a written statement of the seriousness of this inclusion, saying: “The failure to complete the agreed procedures within the specified timeframes will cost Iraq a lot, and may expose it to the risk of being placed on the blacklist with its financial isolation and economic damages that affect the daily livelihood of the citizen,” stressing that the opportunity is still available to remedy the situation, but the cost will be exorbitant if it is missed.

The official position: A national plan and avoiding a “black” situation.

In contrast, the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Council, in cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq, announced the adoption of a joint and specific action plan to develop the national system, stressing that Baghdad has succeeded through its proactive measures in avoiding the international “blacklist” by complying with standards and addressing weaknesses identified by international and regional groups.

The Council explained that the approved national plan indicates that the competent Iraqi authorities have made tangible progress since the adoption of the mutual evaluation report in November 2024, including the application of market entry controls and the introduction of risk reduction measures in the real estate sector, indicating that the enhanced follow-up path has been accompanied by many countries of the world and the region based on “Quality and Consistency” reviews and adjustment of weights and assessments due to the nature of the existing risks.

FATF decision and justifications for international listing

These field positions come in conjunction with the announcement by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) yesterday, Friday, that Iraq has been officially placed on the “grey list”.

The group’s chair, Elisa de Anda Madrazo, said in a statement translated by Shafaq News Agency that “the group’s plenary meeting decided to add Iraq to the enhanced monitoring list, as there is still an urgent need to take measures to address the risks associated with heavy cash transactions, increase judicial investigations related to money laundering, and enhance the use of financial information.”

Government priorities and anticipated financial reform

This shocking international decision and financial controversy comes at a time when the new Iraqi government is asserting that economic reform and combating corruption are the cornerstones of its ministerial program. Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi had announced, since taking office last May, that rebuilding the financial system, attracting foreign investments, and fighting corruption channels would be at the forefront of his government’s program.

It is worth noting that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced in July 2018 that Iraq had been completely removed from the monitoring and surveillance zone, as a result of the significant progress made by the Central Bank of Iraq and the Anti-Money Laundering Office at the time in fulfilling international obligations and implementing a comprehensive financial compliance strategy, with broad participation from governmental, judicial and security systems, including the Supreme Judicial Council, the Ministries of Interior, the National Security and Intelligence Services, the Counter-Terrorism Service, and counterpart agencies in the Kurdistan Region.

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