Wadee Al Handal Participates in Landmark International Banking Meeting in Baghdad

Wadee Al Handal, Chairman of Al Handal International Group (HIG) and President of the Iraqi Private Banks League (IPBL), took part in a high-level international meeting held in Baghdad on May 6th, 2025, organized under the auspices of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The event brought together representatives from 16 countries and international organizations for direct dialogue with Iraq’s banking sector—marking a significant step toward global financial cooperation and economic transformation.

Hosted by IPBL, the meeting was attended by UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Iraq, Dr. Mohamed Al Hassan; Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Dr. Ammar Hamad; Head of the EU Delegation in Iraq, Ambassador Thomas Seiler; and representatives from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Also present were ambassadors and diplomats from Sweden, Germany, France, Japan, Switzerland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Denmark, the CzechRepublic, SaudiArabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In his remarks during the meeting, Mr. Al Handal stated:

“This gathering comes at a defining moment for Iraq’s financial sector. We are laying the groundwork for sustainable development by building bridges of trust, expanding correspondent banking relationships, and aligning with international standards for transparency and compliance.”

He also emphasized IPBL’s focus on expanding financial access, supporting green finance initiatives, and strengthening partnerships with international institutions.

During the event, Ali Tariq, Executive Director of IPBL, presented key sector developments, noting that total deposits have reached 120 trillion Iraqi dinars and electronic payments have surged from around $1 billion annually to over $17 billion in 2024—reflecting a major shift toward modern banking practices.

This meeting affirms growing global confidence in Iraq’s financial reforms and reinforces Al Handal International Group’s commitment to supporting national progress through strategic economic engagement.