“Tidbits From TNT” Tuesday Morning 4-15-2025
TNT:
Tishwash: Iraq awaits economic breakthrough following US-Iran agreement
Amid the successive crises facing Iraq, the national economy stands on the edge of waiting and anticipation, searching for a glimmer of hope that will open windows of relief amid the blocked financial horizon and the tightening noose on the local market.
Amid the anxiety of traders and the fear of consumers, the signs of the anticipated agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran emerge as an opportunity that may carry within it the features of an economic breakthrough for Iraq, after years of suffering due to sanctions and regional tensions.
With every announcement or hint of progress in the negotiations, Iraqis' hopes are pinned on the possibility of liberating themselves from the shackles of complex transactions, and that this agreement will transform from a mere political card into a key to facilitating trade, ensuring stability, and protecting what remains of their purchasing power and economic capacity, which has been weakened by regional tensions.
Economic expert Nasser Al-Tamimi confirmed on Monday (April 14, 2025) that the expected agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will have economic benefits for Iraq.
Al-Tamimi told Baghdad Today, "The expected agreement between Washington and Tehran during the next phase is not only politically and security-wise important for Iraq, but also has economic benefits for Iraq.
This agreement will lift some US sanctions against Iran, especially those related to the dollar issue. This may allow Iraq to conduct commercial transactions with Iran in dollars through official and legitimate means, and stop the black money transfers used by most traders."
He added, "Among these economic benefits is Iraq's continued import of gas and electricity without any American obstacles or impediments. Therefore, the anticipated US-Iran agreement is of great importance to Iraq. However, if no agreement is reached and the situation escalates between the two parties, Iraq will be the most affected by this."
With the escalation of talk about a possible agreement between Washington and Tehran, expectations are growing that some of the restrictions imposed will be eased. This could give Iraq a new opportunity to regulate its trade with Iran through official and legitimate channels, mitigate the impact of recurring energy crises, and restore some balance to the local market, which has been chronically constrained by these regional and international challenges. link
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Tishwash: Al-Sudani's advisor: Annual returns from investing reserves are no less than $2 billion.
The Prime Minister's advisor for financial affairs, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, confirmed on Tuesday that the "annual returns" from investing foreign reserves are no less than two billion dollars, according to his estimates.
"These investments are often short-term and directed toward US, European, or British treasury bonds, with the aim of achieving appropriate returns," Saleh told Shafaq News Agency.
He added, "These investments are characterized by low risk and generate appropriate returns, and the invested assets can be quickly converted into cash without incurring losses."
Saleh pointed out that "profits generated from reserves are divided into two types: the first is realized, represented by direct interest, and the second is unrealized, resulting from diversifying the investment portfolio, in addition to realizing potential profits from exchange rate differences between currencies and gold."
The Central Bank of Iraq previously revealed a decline in foreign reserves for 2024, reaching 130.81 trillion dinars, a 10.18% decrease compared to the same period in 2023, when these reserves reached 145.64 trillion dinars link
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Tishwash: Economist: The US price war aims to cover inflation, not boost the economy
Mustafa Hantoush, a researcher and expert in financial and banking affairs, confirmed on Monday that the price war launched by US President Donald Trump aims primarily to cover the inflation rates accumulated in the United States over the past years, and not to boost the US economy as it is being promoted.
Hantoush explained, in a statement to Al-Maalomah, that “the halt of major economies, especially China and Europe, from investing in US Treasury bonds directly contributed to the rise in inflation rates without this being matched by actual growth in the US economy.”
He explained that "the United States relies on printing dollars and covering them through global markets when its economy is growing, but in the event of a decline in growth, this causes an exacerbation of domestic inflation, which is what the current US administration is trying to address by attracting global companies to the US market."
He pointed out that "current policies aim to stimulate foreign and local capital to enter the US market as a means of reducing inflation, and are not the result of real strength in basic economic indicators." End link
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Tishwash: Rafidain Bank announces the disbursement of interest on the first issue of "Emaar Bonds."
Rafidain Bank announced on Sunday the commencement of disbursing the first-year interest on the first issuance of Emaar bonds, stressing that the disbursement process is being conducted in an organized and smooth manner to ensure speedy completion.
The bank said in a statement, seen by Al-Eqtisad News, that "based on Rafidain Bank's commitment to its pledges towards investors and citizens who support the reconstruction and development process, we are pleased to inform you that the disbursement of the first year's interest on the first issuance of reconstruction bonds will begin on April 9, 2025."
The bank added, "We invite all eligible investors to visit the nearest branch of our bank in Baghdad and the governorates to receive their dues."
The bank confirmed, according to the statement, that "the disbursement process will be carried out according to an organized and smooth mechanism that ensures speedy completion," adding that "the interest is fully available and has been transferred by the Central Bank of Iraq to our account," calling for "bringing supporting documents or documents related to the bond when visiting to facilitate the procedures."
The statement concluded that "this step comes within the framework of our commitment to providing the best banking services and enhancing confidence in development bonds as a safe and stable investment option link
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