Tishwash: Trump’s envoy: Iraq is of paramount importance to the region and the United States
The new US envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, affirmed on Friday that Iraq is of paramount importance to the region and the United States, and that it is one of the United States’ strongest and most valuable partners, stressing that the Iraqi leadership has taken important steps to steer the country in the right direction.
In a statement posted on his X platform account, Savaya said: “Over the past three years, the Iraqi leadership has taken important steps to steer the country in the right direction, politically and economically, and Iraq has begun to recover as a sovereign state, working to reduce external influences and put all weapons under government control.”
He added that “Iraq still needs continued support to continue this path and that there will be no place for armed groups operating outside the authority of the state in Iraq, and all groups must be unified under one leadership.”
He added that “Iraq’s stability and prosperity depend on the existence of unified security forces under the leadership of one government and one flag that represents all Iraqis,” noting that “the interests of the Iraqi people and the region as a whole depend on an Iraq that enjoys full sovereignty, is free from foreign interference, and is committed to serving its citizens and living in peace with its neighbors.”
He pointed out that “unity and cooperation between the Iraqi federal and regional authorities are essential to ensuring sustainable security, economic growth and national cohesion,” noting that “Iraq is a pivotal country in the region, and it must play its natural role in promoting peace, security and regional stability, and Iraq should not go back to the past or adopt an approach that hinders progress and unity.”
The US envoy continued: “My mission, on behalf of President Trump, is to engage with Iraq and support its ongoing pursuit of stability, sovereignty, and prosperity. Iraq remains of vital importance to both the region and the United States, and will remain one of America’s strongest and most valued partners. I am committed to strengthening this relationship as I assume this honorable role as envoy.” link
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Tishwash: Al-Alaq: The Central Bank is working on two plans to reform the banking system… We have entered advanced stages.
On Friday, October 31, 2025, Central Bank Governor Ali Al-Alaq spoke about the details of two plans the bank is working on as part of reforming the banking sector, noting that the reform process has entered advanced stages .
Al-Alaq said in a press statement followed by “Al-Jabal” that “the Central Bank is now working intensively on two plans: the first to reform the government banking sector, and the second to reform private banks, in cooperation with an international company.”
He added, “The two plans have made very significant progress, and we are now in advanced stages of this work. We expect to proceed with steady steps within the plan, which will lead to the achievement of a stable banking sector, capable of communicating with the outside world and of making a qualitative contribution to the national economy. It will also be able to keep pace with global transformations, especially digital ones, and respond to the requirements of various economic aspects, in harmony with general trends and major transformations.”
He pointed out that “the banking sector reform operations today are not formal or patchwork procedures, but rather radical operations related to rebuilding the banking sector,” indicating that “banks are now facing a historic decision,” noting that “the reform plan has faced mixed reactions, but the Central Bank has been clear in its position on reform.”
Al-Alaq stressed that “a meeting was held with all banks, and we explained that this plan is not an option, but rather a path linked to local and international legal, regulatory, financial and digital requirements that cannot be ignored, and there is a strong determination to implement it.”
He continued, “We have entered into a series of dialogues and discussions with the banks and listened to the different viewpoints,” noting that “there is a very high rate of response from most banks to enter into the reform plan and they have given a commitment to that,” explaining, “We are about to start a new phase to follow up on the implementation of the reform steps.”
Al-Alaq indicated in his speech that “within five years or sooner, we will witness a different banking sector in Iraq link
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The Central Bank confirms a rapid response from banks to join the banking reform plan.
Central Bank Governor Ali Al-Alaq confirmed on Friday that there is a broad response from most banks to join the banking reform plan, and he set a date for its final implementation, noting that the reform process has entered advanced stages.
Al-Alaq told the official agency, as reported by Iraq Observer, that “the Central Bank is now working intensively on two plans: the first to reform the government banking sector, and the second to reform private banks, in cooperation with an international company.”
He added, “The two plans have made very significant progress, and we are now in advanced stages of this work. We expect to proceed with steady steps within the plan, which will lead to the achievement of a stable banking sector, capable of communicating with the outside world and of making a qualitative contribution to the national economy. It will also be able to keep pace with global transformations, especially digital ones, and respond to the requirements of various economic aspects, in harmony with general trends and major transformations.”
He pointed out that “the banking sector reforms today are not superficial or patchwork measures, but rather fundamental processes related to rebuilding the banking sector,” indicating that “banks are now facing a historic decision,” noting that “the reform plan has faced mixed reactions, but the Central Bank has been clear in its position on reform.”
Al-Alaq stressed that “a meeting was held with all banks, and we explained that this plan is not an option, but rather a path linked to local and international legal, regulatory, financial and digital requirements that cannot be ignored, and there is a strong determination to implement it.”
He continued, “We have entered into a series of dialogues and discussions with the banks and listened to the different viewpoints,” noting that “there is a very high rate of response from most banks to enter into the reform plan and they have given a commitment to that,” explaining, “We are about to start a new phase to follow up on the implementation of the reform steps.”
Al-Alaq indicated in his speech that “within five years or sooner, we will witness a different banking sector in Iraq.” link
