Group of 14 US-Sanctioned Iraqi Banks Warn of ‘Negative Consequences’

Iraqi activists in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad demand economic reforms (EPA)
Iraqi activists in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad demand economic reforms (EPA)
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Group of 14 US-Sanctioned Iraqi Banks Warn of ‘Negative Consequences’

Iraqi activists in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad demand economic reforms (EPA)
Iraqi activists in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad demand economic reforms (EPA)

A group of 14 private Iraqi banks sanctioned by the US Treasury Department warned of "negative consequences" by depriving them of dealing in dollars.

The 14 banks have been banned from undertaking dollar transactions but can continue to use Iraqi dinars and other foreign currencies.

The sanctioned banks said in a joint statement that they deal in dollars with the Central Bank, under the supervision of the US Federal Reserve, and will apply the best auditing standards and investigation of financial transactions.

They said they were ready to challenge the measures and face audits through the Central Bank or an international auditing firm, asserting they'd take full responsibility for any violations if committed.

The statement noted that depriving about a third of Iraqi private banks of dealing in dollars will have negative consequences, not only on the value of the Iraqi dinar against the US dollar, but it will have a significant impact on foreign investments.

They called on the Iraqi government to take all measures to solve this problem and bear the losses they incurred and the banking sector in general.

The United States uncovered information that the Iraqi banks engaged in money laundering and fraudulent transactions, some of which may have involved sanctioned individuals, and raised concerns that Iran could benefit.

An economics professor at al-Basra University, Nabil al-Marsoumi, issued Wednesday data on the number of private banks in Iraq, saying they exceed that of countries such as Britain which has 54 banks only.

Marsoumi reported that the total number of banks in Iraq is 81, including 74 private banks, saying the ratio of public to private banks is the highest in the Middle East, with 43 in Turkey, 41 in Egypt, 31 in Saudi Arabia, 30 in Iran, 26 in Jordan, and 20 in Algeria.

Iraq has 29 Islamic banks, constituting more than a third of the banks in the country, said the expert.

Marsoumi hinted that political groups and parties control most banks.

Meanwhile, dozens demonstrated in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad to protest the sharp decline in the exchange rates of the Iraqi dinar against foreign currencies and chanted against the governor and some political parties and figures, accusing them of manipulating the exchange rates.

The Iraqi dinar reached 1,600 per US dollar in the local markets, compared to an official exchange rate of 1,320 dinars.

Furthermore, independent MP Hadi al-Salami officially requested the dismissal of the governor of the Central Bank, Ali al-Alaq.



Riyadh Real Estate Awaits Impact of Measures to Curb Price Surge

Residential and commercial properties in the Saudi capital Riyadh (Reuters)
Residential and commercial properties in the Saudi capital Riyadh (Reuters)
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Riyadh Real Estate Awaits Impact of Measures to Curb Price Surge

Residential and commercial properties in the Saudi capital Riyadh (Reuters)
Residential and commercial properties in the Saudi capital Riyadh (Reuters)

The Saudi real estate market is currently in a state of cautious anticipation, driven by unprecedented decisions and measures announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

These steps aim to increase the supply of properties and restore balance in the market to address the rising costs of land and rental prices.

Data from the market shows a stagnation in property purchases by citizens, as they await the impact of these measures, hoping they will bring stability to property prices in Riyadh and lower costs.

In March, the Crown Prince directed the implementation of a series of regulatory measures, including lifting restrictions on the development of over 81 square kilometers of land north of Riyadh.

This move is expected to deliver tens of thousands of affordable residential plots annually to citizens, following a significant rise in property prices in Riyadh.

According to Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail, these measures will add between 10,000 and 40,000 plots of land annually in the northern region of Riyadh, ensuring a better balance between supply and demand in the market.

The Crown Prince has already donated 1 billion riyals to the National Developmental Housing Foundation (Sakan), represented by Jood Eskan, to support home ownership for eligible families across Saudi Arabia.

The housing projects funded by this donation are to be completed within 12 months and executed by national companies.

The Crown Prince also ordered monthly progress reports to ensure that all residential units are delivered within one year.

Real estate market experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that current market data reveals a stagnation in property purchases by citizens, as they await the impact of recent policy changes and their potential to restore balance to the market.

Many real estate companies and agencies have observed a decline in sales activity, with property marketers facing difficulties in encouraging buyers who prefer to delay decisions until the effects of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s directives take shape.

Real estate expert and marketer Abdullah Al-Mousa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the current stagnation in property prices in Riyadh is a direct result of the Crown Prince’s initiatives to increase property supply, which aim to restore price equilibrium following the recent surge in real estate costs.

He views the decline as a positive step toward balancing supply and demand, contributing to a more sustainable and fair market for all stakeholders.

Al-Mousa anticipates that this stagnation will persist until all government directives are fully implemented in the coming months.

He noted that, with plans to increase the property supply, the market could experience gradual recovery in the long term, especially given Riyadh’s continued population and economic growth.

The expert highlighted that several factors may sustain the current stagnation, including high interest rates, which reduce citizens’ purchasing power, the oversupply of properties relative to demand, and global economic fluctuations that could affect investments.

However, he emphasized that Riyadh’s ongoing population growth, improving national economy, rising per capita income, large-scale infrastructure projects like the Riyadh Metro, and continued government support for housing programs are expected to drive the recovery of the real estate market.

Al-Mousa also predicted further improvement in the sector as policies are implemented and market conditions are monitored.