Iraq Awaits The Arrival Of $1 Billion From Washington… And The Government Is Taking Steps To Contain Protests And Stabilize Markets
Last updated: October 26, 2026 The Independent – Iraqi financial markets are anticipating the arrival of new shipments of US cash dollars to Baghdad in the coming days, with a value that may reach one billion dollars, in a move aimed at supporting the stability of the dinar exchange rate and reducing the gap between the official rate and the parallel market, in conjunction with government moves to contain the demands of the demonstrators in Tahrir Square, and to accelerate the implementation of digital transformation projects in government institutions.
These issues topped the interests of Iraqi newspapers published on Monday, October 26, 2026, amid rapid economic and political developments, especially with regard to the supply of US dollars and the extent to which government measures can address the financial pressures facing local markets.
In the economic file, Al-Zaman newspaper revealed that the Central Bank of Iraq is expecting a new shipment of cash dollars from the United States in less than a week, noting that the value of the expected shipments may reach one billion dollars, within the framework of understandings between Baghdad and Washington to ensure the continued flow of the American currency.
The newspaper quoted Central Bank advisor and spokesman Mahmoud Dagher as saying that increasing the supply of cash dollars would enhance the stability of the exchange market and support the value of the Iraqi dinar, by improving the balance between supply and demand and reducing price fluctuations.
Dagher had previously stated in press statements that the value of a single shipment is about $500 million, with expectations of new shipments that may have a total value of $1 billion, without this meaning confirming that the entire amount will arrive in one shipment.
These developments come at a time when the Iraqi government is continuing its contacts with the American side to increase the volume of cash dollar supplies on a regular basis, as information circulating indicates efforts to secure at least one billion dollars per month, reaching levels that may reach two billion and 500 million dollars in later stages.
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi had spoken about efforts to increase US cash shipments, explaining that concerns about the dollar reaching entities subject to US restrictions had previously affected the volume of supplies, which prompted the government to intensify talks to ensure the smooth flow of currency.
The economic analysis indicates that increasing dollar shipments may help alleviate pressure on the parallel market, but it alone does not guarantee ending the gap between the official and parallel prices, given other factors related to commercial demand, banking restrictions, import financing mechanisms, and foreign transfers.
This step is of added importance given Iraq’s reliance on the dollar to settle a large part of its foreign transactions, noting that trade finance is mainly conducted through bank transfers and letters of credit, while direct cash needs represent a smaller percentage of total transactions.
On the domestic front, Al-Sabah newspaper highlighted the developments in the demonstrations that took place in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, where Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi expressed his appreciation for the peaceful demonstrators, praising the level of cooperation they showed with the security services during the protests.
Al-Zaydi confirmed that the demands of the demonstrators have reached the government, and that the relevant authorities will work to study them and strive to achieve what is possible of them, stressing the continuation of dialogue with the various segments of society.
For his part, the head of the Security Media Cell, Lieutenant General Saad Maan, revealed that a delegation from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces visited Tahrir Square and met with representatives of the demonstrators to listen to their demands directly.
This move reflects a government attempt to open channels of communication with the protesters and contain tensions through dialogue, but the actual response to the demands will remain linked to executive actions and decisions that may be issued during the next stage.
In the government services file, Al-Zawraa newspaper followed the developments of the electronic archiving project for real estate records, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Justice in preparation for expanding digital services and reducing reliance on paper transactions.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Justice, Ahmed Laibi, confirmed that the archiving project is nearing completion in all governorates, indicating that the work started experimentally in Baghdad before expanding to a number of real estate registration directorates in the capital, Basra, Nineveh and other governorates.
The project includes converting real estate data and ownership files into electronic records, including information on owners, areas, types of properties and related documents, as part of efforts to update real estate databases.
Laibi explained that completing real estate transactions entirely electronically, without the need to visit government departments, requires completing the electronic linking between relevant government institutions, which means that archiving represents a fundamental stage in the digital transformation process and is not the end of the project.
The three files that topped the Iraqi newspapers reveal simultaneous challenges facing the government, related to the stability of the monetary market, responding to popular demands, and modernizing public services.
While monetary authorities are counting on increasing the supply of dollars to reduce exchange rate volatility, the government faces another test related to translating the promises made to the protesters into concrete steps, in parallel with completing administrative and service projects.
In the coming days, attention will remain focused on the arrival date of dollar shipments, their actual value, and the extent to which they will affect exchange rates in local markets, in addition to the nature of the anticipated government decisions regarding the demands of the demonstrators, at a stage in which the importance of economic and social stability in Iraq is increasing. https://mustaqila.com/العراق-يترقب-وصول-مليار-دولار-من-واشنط/
An Economist Warns Of A “Cost Of Living Setback” Due To Exchange Rate Volatility
Information/Baghdad… Economic expert Abdul Rahman Al-Mashhadani warned on Monday of the significant negative repercussions of exchange rate instability and the current market turmoil. He emphasized that relying on stopgap solutions and manipulating the currency directly harms citizens’ purchasing power and is detrimental to the economy.
In a statement to the Information Agency, Al-Mashhadani said, “The true salvation of the Iraqi economy does not lie in changing the exchange rate or raising the price of the dollar, as these measures may provide quick and temporary liquidity to the state treasure, but they do not constitute financial reform in themselves without comprehensive strategic plans.”
He added, “The Iraqi market is experiencing clear turmoil that necessitates a genuine and urgent review by the Central Bank of the current monetary policy mechanisms.”
He pointed out that “true financial reform requires building a genuine, diversified revenue system, reducing wasteful spending within the state apparatus, and making serious efforts to recover smuggled funds and assets.”
Al-Mashhadani stressed “the necessity of immediate intervention by the Central Bank and the injection of sufficient quantities of foreign currency to cover the market’s basic needs and curb speculators who are exploiting the absence of radical solutions to raise prices,” while warning that “the continuation of the current situation without radical solutions will directly exacerbate the crisis and increase the cost of imports, which threatens a decline in living standards and widens the poverty line among citizens.” End/25
Parliament Awaits The 2027 Budget… Al-Attiyah Speaks About The Deadline.
Information/Baghdad… Member of Parliament Jassim al-Attiya indicated today, Monday, the expected date for the arrival of the draft federal budget law for 2027 from the Council of Ministers to Parliament, stressing the parliamentary will and determination to finalize and approve the budget file completely during the current legislative session.
Al-Attiya told the Information Agency, “The government is putting the final touches on the schedules and draft of the 2027 budget, and it is likely to be sent to Parliament within the next few days to begin studying and discussing it within the relevant committees.”
He pointed out that “Parliament is waiting for the draft to arrive so that it can begin the first reading and complete the legislative requirements without delay.”
He added that “parliamentary blocks and the Finance Committee are keen to avoid a recurrence of periods of structure and financial deadlock and are striving to complete the necessary readings and amendments and approve the budget during this legislative session.”
He explained that “approving the law on schedule will ensure the continued funding of strategic and service projects and support economic and living stability in all governorates.”
Al-Attiyah stressed that “the House of Representatives will focus during the budget discussions on increasing allocations to the provinces and vital sectors, ensuring fairness in the distribution of financial resources, and monitoring expenditures to prevent any waste or misuse of public funds.” End/25h
Postponement Of Sending The 2027 Budget To Parliament Until November 15
Published on: October 26, 2026, Baghdad/Al-Mada The parliamentary finance committee announced on Monday that the draft budget law will reach the House of Representatives in mid-November.
According to the official agency, the head of the committee, Uday Awad, said that “sending the draft budget law to the House of Representatives has been postponed until November 15.”
He affirmed that “the committee is in favor of regularizing contracts and procedures, and we are working with the government to regularize them.”
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi had previously directed that all contracts and temporary workers be made permanent and that 120,000 job positions be created within the 2027 budget, including all segments, and divided fairly among the governorates according to population ratios, with the opening of a special platform for appointment to ensure fairness among applicants.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Falih Sari confirmed that an allocation has been made for the contracts and wages file within the 2027 budget, noting the adoption of a flexible oil price to counter price fluctuations. https://almadapaper.net/458424/
Document Confirms That The Central Bank Of Iraq Has Instructed Banks To Verify The Harmonized System (HS) Code For Imported Goods
Last updated: October 26, 2026 Independent/- Exclusive to Al-Mustaqila | Document confirms that the Central Bank of Iraq has instructed banks to verify the Harmonized System (HS) code for imported goods.
Baghdad – Al-Mustaqilla The Central Bank of Iraq issued a directive to all licensed banks regarding the auditing of the Harmonized System (HS) Code for imported goods, in a move aimed at enhancing the accuracy of commercial data and linking banking information to the nature of goods entering the country.
According to a document issued by the Banking Supervision Department of the Central Bank of Iraq, dated October 25, 2026, and obtained by Al-Mustaqilla, the bank clarified that conducting an audit of the Harmonized System code falls within the jurisdiction of the General Authority of Customs, and not the banks.
The document, which was based on previous correspondence with the Ministry of Finance and the General Authority of Customs, stated that banks can determine the type of goods through their category or the first four digits of the Harmonised Code, given that these numbers are of a global nature and can be matched with the commercial invoice.
The Central Bank stressed the need to work in accordance with the new directive, which defines the responsibilities of the concerned parties in dealing with import data, and separates the banks’ jurisdiction in following up on commercial documents from the customs authorities’ jurisdiction in technical auditing and classification.
The Harmonized System (HS) Code is an international system for classifying goods and merchandise traded in foreign trade, and is used to determine the nature of products and apply relevant customs procedures and tariffs.
From an economic standpoint, clarifying the mechanism for dealing with this code can help reduce discrepancies between banks and customs authorities when reviewing import documents, particularly commercial invoices related to foreign trade financing operations.
The directive also gains importance in light of the procedures witnessed by the Iraqi banking sector to regulate import financing operations and enhance the accuracy of information related to foreign trade, as it clarifies the limits of the banks’ responsibility without burdening them with specialized customs auditing tasks.
Reading the content of the document indicates that the Central Bank did not impose on banks a comprehensive customs audit, but rather confirmed that this responsibility belongs to the General Authority of Customs, with the possibility of adopting the first four digits of the Harmonised Code to identify the type of goods and match them with the invoice.
The document did not include an announcement of new customs duties, a change in the dollar exchange rate, or a decision to restrict import financing. Rather, it was limited to clarifying the authority responsible for auditing and the mechanism for identifying the classification of goods.
This directive comes in the context of regulating the procedural relationship between the banking sector and the entities responsible for foreign trade, amid growing interest in simplifying import procedures and strengthening control over commercial documents.
Screenshot00/p?. https://mustaqila.com/بالوثيقة-البنك-المركزي-العراقي-يوجّه/
graphic translation: Republic Of Iraq CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ
Greetings…
Further to our letter No. (462/4/9) dated 23/12/2025, and with reference to the letter from the Ministry of Finance, General Authority of Customs No. (18 S/7084) dated 13/10/2026, we would like to inform you that the Harmonized System Code (HS) verification is the responsibility of the General Authority of Customs. You can determine the type of goods by reviewing the goods description or the first four digits of the HS code, as these digits are internationally recognized and can be matched with the invoice.
For your information. With appreciation.
Prof. Dr. Ammar Hamad Khalaf Acting Deputy Governor ٢٠٢٦/١٠/
BANK O Bank Headquarters: Al-Rashid Street – Baghdad – Iraq Tel: 8165171 (Central Switchboard with 4 lines)
CBI Head Office: Al-Rasheed St. Baghdad – Iraq
Tel:8165171 Telephone Exchange With 4 Line P.O Box: 64 Fax: 0096418166802
Email: cbi@cbi.iq P.O. Box: 64 Fax: 0096418166802 Email: cbi@cbi.iq