Baghdad-INA
Iraqi Private Banks League-IPBL said on Thursday that it participated in the Arab-European Banking and Economic Summit 2026 held in the French capital, Paris.
In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), IPBL said it took part in the summit with a delegation headed by Wadih Al-Handhal.
The Arab-European Banking and Economic Summit 2026 was held in Paris, organized by the Union of Arab Banks and under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron.
It added that “this active participation aimed to highlight the most prominent global financial challenges and enhance economic partnerships, while showcasing the pivotal role Iraq and its government play in crisis management and moving toward sustainable development.”
Al-Handhal praised, during his participation in the summit, according to the statement, the formation of the new Iraqi government headed by Ali Al-Zaidi, describing it as a decisive step in a phase that requires a sound economic vision and serious work.
He said that “the emergence of this government leadership from the core of the private and banking sector brings hope, and represents a real shift toward a modern management mindset based on efficiency and rapid decision-making.”
He added that “the presence of banking expertise at the top of the government hierarchy ensures exceptional management of resources and the activation of the economic cycle through scientifically studied mechanisms,” affirming “IPBL and the private sector stand united behind this promising vision to secure a more prosperous and stable future for Iraq.”
The Iraqi delegation reviewed before the international community the serious economic challenges facing the country, highlighting in particular the exceptional role of the government in containing the current crises.
Al-Handhal highlighted the structural reform drive led by the Central Bank of Iraq to reform the banking sector and reintegrate restricted banks into the global financial system.
He explained that “the reform plan included an assessment of the first phase through increasing the capital of banks, re-evaluating branches of foreign banks, and issuing instructions for licensing digital banks. The efforts of the government and the Central Bank in supporting digital transformation and financial inclusion were also crowned with unprecedented figures reflecting the resilience of the Iraqi financial sector, as the number of bank accounts exceeded 15 million accounts, more than 20 million bank cards were issued, around 179,000 electronic payment devices were deployed, while government electronic collections exceeded 15 trillion Iraqi dinars.”