PUK Bloc Calls for Opening CBI Branch in Sulaymaniyah

PUKMEDIA

PUK bloc MPs with CBI Governor.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bloc called for the establishment of an Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) branch in Sulaymaniyah, citing that the request is for the development of the city's banking and financial sector, as well as to address the problems and obstacles that traders and businessmen face when conducting banking transactions both within and outside the Kurdistan Region.

Dr. Narmin Maruf, PUK bloc MP and a member of the Finance Committee of the Iraqi Parliament, and Rawaz Ahmed Shah, member the PUK bloc in the Kurdistan Parliament, met with the CBI Governor Ali al-Alaq on the sidelines of the opening of the International Center for Finance and Trade (ICFT) in Sulaymaniyah.

"We discussed several important issues related to the financial and commercial situation in Sulaymaniyah," Dr. Maruf told PUKMEDIA.

"In our meeting with the CBI Governor, we conveyed the demand of our PUK bloc in the Kurdistan Parliament to open a CBI branch in Sulaymaniyah," she said.

"The proposal is aimed at developing the city's banking and financial sector, as well as to address the issues and challenges that traders and businesses have while doing banking transactions both within and beyond the Region," she said.

The first International Financial and Trade Center in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region was inaugurated in Sulaymaniyah on Thursday, 20 February 2025. The opening ceremony was attended by Iraqi Central Bank Governor, senior officials from Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks, and economic and business figures from across the region and beyond.

The Center aims to "strengthen economic activity, attract foreign investment, and modernize financial services in the region."

Speaking at the event, the center’s media director, Shad Khusraw, said that the center will provide modern infrastructure, hosting both foreign and local banks, stock market firms, and investment companies.

“We envision this center evolving into a major stock exchange for Sulaymaniyah, drawing investors, creating jobs, and reducing unemployment,” Khusraw added.



PUKMEDIA