Thursday, September 29, 2011

Iraqi - Stock Market in The Spot Light !

With most Middle East stock markets having been dragged down by the turmoil unleashed by the Arab spring and a sputtering global economy, some adventurous fund managers have started exploring opportunities in the tiny Iraqi market, according to a report from Bloomberg.
The Iraqi Stock Exchange, or ISX, says its main market index has surged some 65% so far this year, making it one of the world’s best-performing markets. Though many doubt the accuracy of the ISX’s main index, fund managers who follow the country agree that Iraqi share prices have risen about 15% in 2011—still outperforming most global peers.
Investors have been attracted by the relative political stability following the formation of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s coalition government last year, as well as the promise of higher oil revenues and the reconstruction of the economy. The International Monetary Fund estimates that Iraq’s economy will grow at 9.6% this year and likely expand by 12.6% in 2012.
“Foreign buying has picked up in the past 18 months or so with inflows estimated at about $130 million in this period,” said Shwan Ibrahim Taha, chief executive of Rabee Securities, whose weekly stock market reports are published by Iraq Business News.
“The fact that it is one of the best performing markets this year, with further potential upside as the economy develops, is definitely whetting investor appetite,” he said.
The Iraqi bourse’s gains this year compare well to the performance of other indices in the region. Saudi Arabia, the Middle East’s biggest market, is down some 7% so far this year. Egypt, the most open market in the region, has dropped 38% in the wake of the January revolution that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak.

Link - http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/tag/isx/

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

CITI'S - WORLDLINK CURRENCY PAYMENT CAPABILITIES

IRAQI DINAR
WorldLink(R) Payment Services has been making IQD payments on behalf of selected clients since 2006 adding to the exotic currencies suite. With the success established over five years, WorldLink has differentiated itself by having local expertise and strong banking relationships in Iraq. WorldLink is now offering IQD payments as a fully developed and proven offering to all relevant WorldLink clients.
While the US Dollar remains a widely accepted currency in Iraq, Citi's cross-border payments specialists anticipate that IQD payments will gain an increasing foothold in support of foreign direct investments.
"Making payments into new countries doesn't have to be risky or intimidating for clients; the liberalization of markets especially those in the Middle East and Africa are going to undoubtedly change the global economy in the near future. Providing payment options in local currencies is just one step towards building solutions for our clients looking to do business or invest further in these markets." said, Michael Vallance, Global Head of WorldLink(R) Payment Services at Citi.
To remain focused on exotic currencies with a view to further enhancements, WorldLink Payment Services has expanded its network to fully optimize the current exotic currency offering. This expansion will see a greater capacity for current exotic currencies and will provide the opportunity in the future to bring to market new currency offerings
Vallance continued, "The payments landscape is changing rapidly and we are watching governments realize the power of their local currencies. It has become imperative to prepare as the shift from the traditional world currencies is being hedged by rising local currency payments. Adding capabilities to bolster cross-border payments capabilities in exotic foreign currencies is a necessary step, not just for Citi, but for any payments provider who is looking to keep pace with expanding client needs and globalization." 
Link -

Friday, September 16, 2011

ISX

IRAQ STOCK EXCHANGE...Here's the link for those who are interested... There's also a link under the Iraq Institution Header Enjoy and good luck

http://72.52.252.89/isxportal/portal/marketPerformance.html

ALSO, I added another section below near the bottom of the page...called ON ANOTHER NOTE in this section you will find interesting topics and links...Enjoy

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

IRAQ-BUSINESS NEWS

“If prices continue to increase and the inflation rate approaches two digits, monetary policy tools will be strongly activated to fight inflation,” he said.
Kasim said a plan to take off three zeroes from Iraq’s currency to simplify financial transactions was awaiting parliamentary approval and said the government should approve the project sooner rather than later.

LINK - http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2011/09/06/iraq-58bn-in-currency-reserves-should-redenominate-soon/

Sunday, September 4, 2011

CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ - RIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH !

Central Bank: The rise of foreign currency reserves to 58 billion dollars
BAGHDAD - Mostafa Hashemi
Confirmed the economic expert Dr. Sumaisem peace that there is an intention to change the exchange rate for the Iraqi dinar against the dollar through the adoption of the Central Bank policy of reducing the dollar value of cash against the dinar to the extent that it is now (1200 dinars per $ 1). As the committee said that Iraq's parliamentary Ghaderaly improve the status of the dinar and adopt it as part of international reserves, as Iraq has more than (80 to 90) billion dollars in central bank reserves and this is positive for the benefit of the Iraqi dinar.
She's Sumaisem (citizen) that he is supposed to drop the price to equal the dollar more than the Iraqi dinar after deleting three zeros from the currency and thus we have achieved two goals of this procedure, "FIRST" RAISE THE VALUE OF THE DINAR TO THE DOLLAR and "Second" is the restructuring of the Iraqi currency. Confirmed that the current exchange rate flexibility has to do with the market and the volume of loans and the volume of foreign remittances and bills of exchange rate discount in addition to the political orientation of the state.
And the effect on inflation this measure Sumaisem explained that this measure has to do with the reduction of inflation in Iraq, that if the improvement rate of the dinar and raised the zeros from the currency will be easy to absorb the inflation part of the restructuring of the economy as a whole in addition to the re-evaluation of the Iraqi dinar.
A member of the Committee of Economy and Investment parliamentary Abdul Hussein Abtan "It is certain that Iraq is able to adopt the dinar as part of international reserves, especially that he has a big supplier in the field of oil and more than (80 to 90) billion in Central Bank reserves and this affects positively on the Iraqi currency against the dollar and makes the dinar as its currency position as was previously the global currency. "
Alabtan called the Central Bank to improve the status of the dinar against the dollar, and (1200) dinars to the dollar is not the right thing.
For his part, said the central bank increase its reserves of hard currency to the $ 58 billion, attributing the increased demand for foreign currencies by the Iraqi banks and the lack of offers to rent the economy of Iraq.
The adviser said the Bank of the appearance of Mohammed Saleh for "Alsumaria News", the central bank's reserves of foreign currency amounted to $ 58 billion after the $ 50 billion at the end of last year, 2010, "noting that" the Bank was able during the last period of trade finance to the private sector and maintain market stability and curb high inflation that existed during the periods of years. " Saleh pointed out that "increased demand for foreign currencies by the Iraqi banks and the lack of offers for foreign currency in daily auction conducted by the Iraqi Central Bank of Iraq's economy back rent, which depends on oil imports in the general budget." Saleh said that "the State offers foreign currency to the Central Bank of Iraq to finance its expenditures in Iraqi dinars to the Central Bank, in turn, to meet the market need of foreign currency," noting that "the State is that supply of foreign currency, while the market is a student of foreign currency to cover the financing of foreign trade." Saleh pointed out that "Iraq does not receive external financial flows due to not send the Iraqi workers overseas savings of Finance to the country, in addition to the lack of investment companies large foreign workforce in Iraq." And said the central bank adviser earlier that the Iraqi dinar is not currency international reserve until it is handled in the outside, adding cash as a policy we aspire to be part of the Iraqi dinar and the precautions that needs to be a long time. The appearance of Mohammed Saleh said that the Iraqi dinar is the local currency convertible to other currencies, that is unlikely to deal in Iraqi dinars externally at present evidence is that the instructions do not allow the central bank to bring the Iraqi dinar, but the limits of (200) thousand dinars for the traveler. The central bank stressed the value of the dinar is not affected by high inflation rates in the country, denying the existence of any economic risks for the country as a result. The World Bank called Bank of Iraq and the Finance Ministry to take action to prevent increasing the persistence of high monthly inflation.
Saleh said that "fears of international financial institutions of high rates of inflation, monthly and annual amounts where it is under the control of the Central Bank of Iraq and there is no threat to cause deterioration of the value of the Iraqi dinar."
Iraq has seen a rise in inflation for the month of July in 2011 compared to the same month of 2010 by 7.1% after it was last year's 2.4% due to higher prices, housing rent allowances.
Saleh pointed out that the "dollar crisis and high prices, rents and higher wages for electricity and the main reasons behind the persistence of high inflation in the country." He explained that "the central bank adopts a policy of successful in reducing the rate of inflation and reduction in line with prices, demand and supply on the Iraq dinar and increase the monetary value."
Known that excessive inflation in the general level of prices and rising incomes in cash or a component of cash income such as wages or profits as well as high costs and over-the creation of cash balances. Fear and a number of economists from the continuing high rates of inflation in the country in the absence of mechanisms to limit the height of the government institutions involved in the management of the economy in the country.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Denomination of Iraqi Currency Close to Completion !

The denomination of the Iraqi currency reached its final stages as the study and draft resolution reached the Cabinet after being sent by Iraq Central Bank. Iraq Central Bank said that it won’t only delete the zeros but it will also change Iraq monetary structure in order to provide bigger currencies. According to this project coins will appear again in the Iraqi currency, as for the banknotes the Central Bank will recourse to international institutions to print them.
The new currency will be printed in 3 languages including the Kurdish and it will include pictures that represent the Iraqi civilization.
Since a while Central Bank tries to pass this project. The Central Bank stresses that this change will not affect the buying capacity of the Iraqi dinar and its influence is only restricted on the organizational things and it aims to decrease the huge volume of currencies in Iraq.Link-http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-68174-Denomination-of-Iraqi-Currency-Close-to-Completion.html

PRECIOUS METALS

CNBC- GOLD MAY TOP 6,000 AND SILVER $600 WHAT!!! Link - http://www.cnbc.com/id/44373049