Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami met on Monday, May 11, 2026, with Caterina Hansen, Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation and support Iraq’s reform plans.
The meeting, which also included the head of the Iraqi Fund for External Development, focused on several financial and economic issues aimed at improving institutional performance and supporting government development projects. Officials discussed ways to increase the efficiency of Iraq’s financial sector as part of the country’s broader efforts to achieve long-term economic stability and modernize administrative systems.
During the talks, Minister Sami stressed the importance of benefiting from international experience and technical support to help advance Iraq’s ongoing economic reform agenda. The discussions also covered expanding advisory and technical cooperation between Iraq and the European Bank.
Officials believe stronger cooperation with international financial institutions could help Iraq create a better environment for investment and development while reducing the country’s heavy dependence on oil revenues.
The continued coordination between Iraq and the European Bank is viewed as an important step toward modernizing the country’s financial and economic systems, improving institutional development, and building a stronger and more stable economy for the future.
