The Central Bank of Iraq clarifies the “National” payment card and its scope of use.
The Central Bank of Iraq clarifies the “National” payment card and its scope of use.
2025-07-04 05:42
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed on Friday that the national electronic payment card project does not eliminate the use of international cards such as Visa and MasterCard, explaining that the project aims to enhance financial inclusion and diversify options for citizens.
The bank said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “The National Electronic Payment Card Project is an additional local option used exclusively within Iraq in Iraqi dinars, and does not cancel or restrict existing international cards such as Visa and Mastercard.”
He explained that “there are no plans to cancel these cards or ban transactions in dollars outside Iraq, as their holders can still use them inside and outside the country as is currently the case.”
He pointed out that “the project aims to reduce payment costs, enhance financial inclusion, diversify options for the public, and provide national cards to all institutions and segments within Iraq, while international cards remain the primary means of spending in dollars or other currencies outside Iraq for purchases via global websites.”
shafaq.com
