Wadee Al Handal Attends High-Level Banking Sector Meeting Chaired by Prime Minister Al-Sudani

On 5 May, Mr. Wadee Al Handal, Chairman of Al Handal International Group and President of the Iraqi Private Banks League, attended a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani with the chairmen of Iraqi bank boards. The meeting focused on advancing the government’s banking reform plans as part of broader economic reforms

Prime Minister al-Sudani reiterated the government’s commitment to modernizing the banking sector through the adoption of new technologies, cooperation with international audit firms, and reforming public and private banks. He emphasized the state's shift toward a regulatory—not interventionist—role, supporting foreign partnerships, simplifying banking procedures, and increasing trust among citizens to encourage deposits

Bank leaders expressed appreciation for the government’s backing and reported a significant rise in electronic payment activity, from 1.7 trillion dinars in 2020 to 21 trillion dinars in 2024. They also affirmed their readiness to implement the Oliver Wyman restructuring plan and localize private sector salaries, marking progress in stabilizing and modernizing Iraq’s financial sector