“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday Morning 12-28-2024

TNT:

Tishwash:  Dagher: I don't understand why we borrow when oil exceeds $70 

Today, economic expert Dr. Mahmoud Dagher criticized the economic policies that push Iraq to borrow despite oil prices exceeding $70 per barrel.

Dagher explained that the external debt exceeded the figures announced according to the World Debt Report, while the internal debt amounted to more than 81 trillion Iraqi dinars, which constitutes an additional burden on the general budget that bears the debt installments and interest, as these costs reach 9 trillion dinars.

He pointed out that the government's continued borrowing lacks any economic justification, especially with the fluctuation of Iraq's GDP as a country dependent on oil revenues, which makes the debt-to-GDP ratio unrealistic or economically feasible.

Dagher concluded his statement by stressing the need to reconsider these financial policies, warning of the repercussions of borrowing on the Iraqi economy if oil prices decline in the future  link

Tishwash: Chinese Payment Firm enables Iraq's new SuperQi App

Iraq’s Qi and Ant International join forces to launch SuperQi app

SuperQi aims to serve millions of Iraqis, offering a comprehensive suite of services that include scan-to-pay, money transfers, bill payments, loans, mobile recharge and other payment solutions 

Qi, a leading player in Iraq’s fintech sector, has unveiled its groundbreaking third-generation app, SuperQi, in collaboration with Ant International.

Powered by Alipay+ Wallet Tech solutions, SuperQi integrates a digital lifestyle super app with a fully functional digital bank, bringing a new era of financial inclusion and digital services to Iraq.

Since its launch in July 2024, SuperQi has seamlessly fused Western digital banking models with the best practices from Asia’s leading super apps.

Bahaa Abdulhussein, chairman of Qi, said “At Qi, our vision is to build a cashless Iraq by bringing financial services to every corner of our society. SuperQi is a testament to this commitment, simplifying financial transactions and fostering greater inclusivity for all Iraqis.

He added: “Our collaboration with Ant International is not just about advancing digital finance; it represents a transformative leap towards creating a broader digital ecosystem that addresses the needs of the unbanked population.”

Available in Arabic, English, and Kurdish, SuperQi aims to serve millions of Iraqis, offering a comprehensive suite of services that include scan-to-pay, money transfers, bill payments, loans, instalments, mobile recharge, shopping, travel and other payment solutions.

SuperQi also supports Iraq’s expanding financial infrastructure, with over 20,000 point-of-sale merchants and 10,000 cash-out agents.

The app’s accessibility is designed to meet the evolving financial and lifestyle needs of users, targeting over 30 per cent of Iraq’s population by 2026.

Qi has already made significant strides in improving financial inclusion in Iraq. The rate of banked individuals in the country has surged from a mere 5 per cent to nearly 50 per cent in recent years.

By enabling access to banking services through SuperQi, the fintech company aims to further accelerate this shift towards a cashless society.

“With SuperQi, we empower millions of Iraqis with accessible, efficient, and secure solutions, paving the way for a more interconnected, inclusive, and technologically advanced nation,” said Abdulhussein.

Qi focused on an ambitious expansion plan with the launch

With over 11 million cardholders and five million mobile app users, Qi plans to reach over 15 million app users within the next three years.

This is in line with its mission to reshape the way financial transactions occur in Iraq, offering unparalleled convenience for users to take control of their finances.

SuperQi’s impact goes beyond individual users — it is designed to create a thriving ecosystem for businesses as well. The app offers secure and flexible payment solutions, enabling businesses to connect with customers in new, innovative ways.

“The launch of SuperQi is a milestone in Iraq’s journey towards a cashless society,” said Ali Muneam, CEO of Qi. “By bridging the gap for millions who still rely on cash transactions, SuperQi is not just a financial solution, but a key step in modernising our nation’s economy.”

Luay Al Obaidi, chief product officer of SuperQi, emphasised the app’s broad appeal: “SuperQi represents a paradigm shift in how we address the lifestyle and daily needs of our diverse customer base. We invite businesses across Iraq to leverage SuperQi as a platform to deliver their services seamlessly and effectively.”

The app’s integrated features offer everything from digital banking to e-commerce, solidifying its place as a central platform for Iraq’s digital future.

Qi’s collaboration with Ant International has enabled the launch of a powerful financial ecosystem, one that stands poised to unlock new economic opportunities in Iraq’s growing digital landscape.

Committed to a cashless, digital-forward future

From its inception in 2007 to the launch of SuperQi, Qi has been a torchbearer for innovation, leadership, and sustainability. SuperQi signifies a monumental shift in Qi’s vision for fintech’s role in everyday financial management, after being rewarded as the Best Credit Solutions Provider in Iraq, offering a lifestyle super-app providing its users seamless experience all day, every day, for all their payments.

This reflects Qi’s commitment to a bold, cashless, digital-forward future, in line with the visionary goals set by Bahaa Abdulhussein.  link

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Tishwash:  Praising the government's success in attracting investors and capital to the country

As the year 2024 draws to a close, witnessing an urban renaissance that the country has lacked for decades, academics and specialists praised the government’s success in attracting investors and capital to the country, stressing that the security stability enjoyed by the country and the development of the banking system that came in accordance with the government program, pushed the wheel of investment forward.

Safe reality

Professor of Economics at Al-Nahrain University, Sattar Al-Bayati, told Al-Sabah: “In light of the current safe reality and the stability that the country is witnessing, there is a development and urban movement that the country is witnessing according to the government program, and the achievements that occurred during this year with regard to Baghdad, especially in the matter of cleanliness, roads, bridges and projects in various sectors, as well as the bridges that were built or rehabilitated and appeared in a new guise

These are all positive messages sent by the government to investors, whether Iraqis or Arab and foreign investors, that there is a suitable environment for investment in general, especially direct investment in light of the existence of Investment Law No. 13 of 2006 and its amendments, which contain many articles that serve the investor.”

 He pointed out that “there are two types of investment, which are foreign direct investment and indirect foreign investment,” indicating that “indirect investment occurs in the Iraq Stock Exchange, or any stock market or stock exchange.”

 Infrastructure

He added, "The government is counting on direct investment, because it is a real investment that can be made directly in the basic structures or infrastructure that the country needs, such as residential complexes, bridges, hospitals, or universities. Direct investment can invest in all of these."

Great benefit

In turn, economic expert Alaa Al-Fahd told Al-Sabah: “The government has focused on investment aspects and development projects with high economic feasibility,” indicating that “these projects, if completed, will be the gateway and beginning for development projects and investments and attract foreign investment, while greatly benefiting from the state of security and political stability in Iraq.” Al-Fahd confirmed that “there is an investment revolution in Iraq currently.”

Financial capabilities

“Security and political stability can be a gateway for investments in various fields and sectors, such as the services sector, housing sector and infrastructure, and this is one of the government’s priorities,” he added, noting that “this requires consolidating the partnership between the public and private sectors, whether local or foreign, as this is the first stage to gain confidence and move from the socialist state and the government’s implementation of projects, to another new state with the participation of the private sector in projects in which the local private sector can invest according to the existing financial capabilities and infrastructure belonging to the state, and even in the field of managing service facilities and others.”

Big investments

He pointed out that Iraq today has begun to attract very large investments that have so far reached 62 billion dollars, but it needs more than 500 billion dollars in the areas of infrastructure, services and productive projects, in addition to the government’s orientation towards oil transformation industries,” indicating that “these industries in themselves will contribute firstly to achieving self-sufficiency, and secondly, Iraq can be a source of oil derivatives, as well as a source of transformation industries instead of the state having to bear the costs of importing them.” 

Government vision

“There is a government vision for a map of high-priority investment projects, and the government has begun to lay the basic foundations in terms of financial transfer, financial leverage, and financial inclusion, which is one of the largest pillars of investment,” he said, stressing that “investment seeks financial security and financial inclusion, with the presence of a banking system capable of managing the investment process, primarily by providing bank credit, as well as achieving financial security in terms of foreign transfers and relations between local banks.” And foreign.  link

Mot: .. They Say -- Its Not What You Say - Its What Ya Mean!!! 

Mot... Now This is VERY IMportant!!! to Us All!!!!