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The Currency Newshound Poll Results: So what is your best guess for an Iraq RV rate?Posted: June 25, 2011 by THE CURRENCY NEWSHOUND - Just Hopin in Iraqi Dinar/Politics Tags: Business and Economy, Central Bank of Iraq, Currency, currency newshound, exchange rate, Iraq, Iraqi dinar, poll, Revaluation, the currency newshound 0Poll: CBI has announced it is restructuring the dinar; So what is your best guess for an Iraq RV rate? As excitement builds around June 30th, 2011 and the recent news regarding Iraq’s CBI announcement of “dropping the zero’s” another question builds as well…What will the new exchange rate be at time of the RV? Majority or 37% of those who voted believe the initial RV rate will be within $3.00 to $4.00 primarily within the range of $3.00 to $3.50. 24% of those polled believe the rate will be within $1.00 to $2.00 primarily within the range of $1.00 to $1.50, while 17% believe the rate will be below $1.00. About 15% believe the new exchange rate will be or exceed $4.00 Interestingly enough this same poll was conducted in November 2010. Comparing both polls the rates reflect similar standings with majority believing the new exchange rate to be within the range of $3.00 to $4.00. Thank you to everyone who participated in the poll http://wp.me/pZC7o-8Sz Poll: CBI has announced it is restructuring the dinar; So what is your best guess for an Iraq RV rate? (Poll Closed) $0.10 to $0.75 6.48% $0.75 to $1.00 12.23% $1.00 to $1.50 17.54% $1.50 to $2.00 6.12% $2.00 to $2.50 2.67% $2.50 to $3.00 4.4% $3.00 to $3.50 22.79% $3.50 to $4.00 13.91% $4.00 + 4.85% $5.00 + 5.57% $6.00 + 0.5% $7.00 + 2.95% Share This Create Your Own Poll

CBI: Currency reconstruction needed to ease complex transactionsPosted: June 23, 2011 by Tags: Baghdad, Central bank, Central Bank of Iraq, Inflation, International Monetary Fund, Iraq, Iraqi dinar, Ministry of Oil 0CBI: Iraq needs a new system of payments and the distribution of the 100 salary does not affect the size of inflation Thursday, June 23, 2011 13:25 Mohammed Saleh - CBI Advisor The central bank on “the need for Iraq to a new system of payments in line with the next phase of its new financial and government plans to distribute the (100) salary does not affect the size of inflation in the country.” The central bank adviser said the appearance of Mohammed Saleh told all of Iraq [where] on Thursday, said: “Iraq needs a system of payments again in light of the growing economic position and export of crude oil to the world and plans of the Ministry of Oil to raise Iraq’s production of oil in the coming years.” He added that “the government’s efforts to distribute the loans and advances (100) will not affect the salary of the central bank plans to address and reduce inflation in Iraq if they spent in the field of real estate and other goods and that I act as money in the commercial market.” And on the Bank’s issuance of currency equal to the value of percent U.S. dollar, the benefit of it “focus within the restructuring currency and Plan of deleting three zeros from the Iraqi currency, a project will facilitate cash transactions; because the handling of cash in Iraq is complex; due to the variation in currency exchange between the Iraqi dinar and U.S. dollar, which up to trillions of cash transactions and it needs to complicated calculations to find out the results of those Amuallamat in the profit and loss and others. “ He pointed out that “the value of the Iraqi dinar in the past was worth three dollars, and today as a result of conflicts and inflation reached more valuable currency in Iraq is the twenty-five thousand dinars to the twenty-three dollars, and this affects the value and volume of trade in Iraq.” The Central Bank of Iraq has decided to restructure the local currency in order to develop the payment system in the country, and start execution of the strategic long-term, specializes in the restructuring of the local currency for the development of the payments system in Iraq. And demands that the International Monetary Fund Iraq a number of economic measures including the privatization of banks and raise three zeroes from the local currency and to meet debt and compensation is the responsibility of Iraq, if Iraq’s desire to receive support the International Fund.

Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki has given Cabinet ministers until Monday to reduce corruption and improve basic services.STORY HIGHLIGHTS Iraqi activists are accusing the Iraqi government of a campaign of intimidation Rights group: "Stop the attacks and charge, or release those being held" Human Rights Watch is calling for the release of four protest organizers Iraqi authorities say the four men are being detained for carrying fake identity papers RELATED TOPICS Iraq Baghdad (CNN) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's 100-day deadline is fast approaching for Cabinet ministers to make reforms or be fired, raising concerns of mass protests if the deadline passes without some sign of improvement. Al-Maliki has given Cabinet ministers until Monday to reduce corruption and improve basic services, an ultimatum imposed after February demonstrations over corruption and lack of personal freedoms turned deadly. But activists and a leading human rights group accused al-Maliki's government of a campaign of intimidation against protest organizers ahead of the deadline, even as an Iraqi government spokesman announced a news conference to showcase improvements. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Friday in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to demand the release of four protest organizers -- Jihad Jalil, Ali al-Jaf, Mouyed Faisal and Ahmed Al-Baghdadi -- who were detained during a protest at the same location a week earlier. Carrying banners that featured pictures of the four organizers, demonstrators chanted: "Oh Maliki, don't muzzle the voice of the people/oh Maliki, release the four immediately." The protest took place in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, the same name of the square where mass protests in Cairo sparked the Egyptian revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak. Iraq has denied it arrested protest organizers, saying in a statement posted on the Baghdad Operations Command website that the four men were detained for carrying fraudulent identity papers. The Baghdad command accused the media of making up the story, calling on Iraqis "not to be enticed by the irresponsible media, which aims to create chaos and destabilize security and stability." But Human Rights Watch said the detentions of the four did not appear to be an isolated event. It also accused Iraqi forces of arresting 13 people and seizing computers and cellular phones following a raid this week at the Baghdad offices of the Iraqi youth protest movement "Where Are My Rights?" The protest group says all but the four protest organizers have been released. Meanwhile, in Iraqi Kurdistan, a protest organizer, Isma'il Abdullah, was abducted, stabbed and beaten on May 27, Human Rights Watch said. Human Rights Watch called on Iraq to "stop the attacks and charge, or release those being held." There has been little outward sign of improvement in Iraq in the months following the 100 days al-Maliki gave his ministers to deliver results, said Hanna Edwar, a leading Iraqi human rights activist. He called the recent arrests "a wide campaign by Iraqi security forces because the government is concerned about what will happen after the 100 day deadline." Al-Maliki took a pay cut and imposed the deadline on his Cabinet ministers after demonstrators, inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, took to the streets across Iraq to protest corruption, poor basic services and lack of freedoms. Demonstrations in Baghdad and elsewhere turned violent, leaving dozens dead and hundreds wounded. In some cases, protesters called for an ouster of al-Maliki, who has been struggling to fill top security postings since the government was formed in December -- nine months after an inconclusive national election. The government remains without ministers of defense, interior and national security -- a major concern for the U.S. military pushing to complete military operations as well as training of Iraqi security forces ahead of their scheduled January 1, 2012, withdrawal. Currently, al-Maliki is serving as head of all three Iraqi security ministries. "Even when it comes (to) decisions on targeting key individuals, things we have worked routinely with ministries in the past, they are just a little more problematic without a full-time minister," Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, the top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, told CNN recently. "There is an impact on how the ministry runs and ... the resultant level of security provided by the security forces without having a full-time minister there. So we think it is important to complete the deal." Al-Maliki's deadline and the threat of protests follows a spate of insurgent attacks that have targeted Iraqi government officials, attacks that come as the prime minister must decide whether to ask American troops to stay beyond the withdrawal deadline. Two bomb attacks Friday in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit killed at least 23 people and wounded more than 60, two Interior Ministry officials said. The first blast occurred outside of a mosque near the presidential palace, killing 17 and wounding 50, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. That was followed, by a suicide bombing at a hospital that killed six and wounded 10, they said.

A true bible reading, bible believing God fearing Christian will believe the Word of God spoken by His prophets!! George is a man of God, who would have absolutely no reason to come up with such a prophetic oracle, by his own making. If one is a non-believer, a lukewarm Christian, a unless I see first Christian, then one will have a hard time accepting/understanding these oracles. Also let us take heed too that we be careful not to open our mouths to bash God's TRUE messengers; it carries dire consenquences.

Anyone who knows(AND THE BIBLE) the preacher in California, knew in advance that he was speaking of his own!! He does not believe in the existence of churches etc... True the BIBLE does not give us neither the rate nor the time; but the same BIBLE teaches us that God speaks in different ways.That is why we pray in any situation to get an answer from God( here of course it depends on you if you believe that God answers prayers).Call me, He says, and I will answer you!! JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER!! I repeat again, everyone out there is just giving speculative rates; but I will believe the report of the LORD @ around $4 around the end of the month.

With all due respect,I will disagree with your friend. As a firm Christian, though, I will agree with the two(FOR ALL YOU CHRISTIANS OUT THERE;PROPHETIC WORD OF DINAR) posts of two Christian brothers that gave the rate @ around $4 and the date around month's end.Why? Simply because faith comes by hearing the word of God. Furthermore, and quite frankly, I am not interested @ a rate in mere cents!!! Everyone out there is just speculating and giving their OWN opinions. But the interesting thing about the word of God is, it is not speculative!! It is SURE!!

UN: Iraq Making Slow Progress On Oil Metering By Hassan Hafidh Published May 11, 2011 | Dow Jones Newswires Print Email Share AMMAN -(Dow Jones)- A United Nations body entrusted with Iraq's oil revenue management and accounting system said the Iraqi government has made a "slower rate" of progress in its efforts to properly monitor how much oil it is exporting, refining and storing. The U.N.'s International Advisory and Monitoring Board, or IAMB, which audits the Development Fund of Iraq, said that the government had made some progress in metering but at a slow pace. "As of Dec. 31, 2010, only 39% of the planned meters have been installed and calibrated in line with the regional Ministry of Oil plan," IAMB said, citing reports by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Committee of Financial Experts, presented in late April but first published Monday. The Committee of Financial Experts is due to take control of the U.N. IAMB role when its mandate expires July 1. Iraq has the world's third-largest oil reserves. The majority is exported through the southern port of Basra. Iraq has earned some $26.7 billion in oil sales over the first four months of this year. Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2011/05/11/iraq-making-slow-progress-oil-metering/#ixzz1MXMvEQ5z

Published: Wednesday, 11 May 2011 | 6:56 AM ET Text Size Twitter LinkedInMore Share By Walter Gibbs OSLO, May 11 (Reuters) - Norwegian oil producer DNO said it would get $110 million in its first payment for Iraqi oil exports after years of political dispute, boosting its shares and offsetting below-forecast earnings. The company said it will receive the long-awaited payment from a $243 million pot that Iraq's central government sent last week to Kurdish officials for exporters in Iraqi Kurdistan including DNO, Genel Enerji and Sinopec. "There is an expectation that these cash advances will continue to happen," CEO Helge Eide told Reuters on Wednesday after calling the payment a milestone in DNO's seven-year adventure in Iraq's northern region. DNO International ASA, which produces oil and gas in Iraq and Yemen, said first-quarter operating profit fell 22 percent to 74 million Norwegian crowns ($12.8 million), below an average forecast of 93 million in a Reuters survey of analysts. Its shares, which had slumped to a 10-month low of 7.10 crowns earlier this month, traded up 5.7 percent to 8.04 crowns at 0940 GMT while Oslo's main index was up 0.9 percent. A bottom-line loss of 65 million Norwegian crowns ($11.2 million) on revenue of 281 million was attributed in large part to currency fluctuations and a major contribution to water purification for residents near DNO's Kurdish Tawke field. MONEY FLOW First Securities analyst Teodor Sveen Nilsen focused on the apparent easing of tension between the Kurdish regional officials who hold contracts with DNO and authorities in Baghdad who had blocked payment while threatening harsher terms. "The most important thing is to see a payment mechanism established and for the money to flow," said Nilsen, who retained a "buy" rating on the stock. DNO said the $110 million for exports in February and March was not included in its first-quarter books and had not yet arrived despite being "confirmed" as on the way. "As long as that money is not in their bank account there is still some risk," said Nilsen. "We are still talking about Iraq, and not a stable western regime." After investing some $500 million in Tawke and surrounding prospects, DNO has yet to learn if the terms it agreed with the Kurds in 2004 and revised in 2008 will survive additional review by the central oil ministry. DNO exported for a few months in 2009 but stopped when it became clear Baghdad, which manages exports, would not pay up. The Norwegian company resumed exports of about 50,000 barrels a day in early February after Iraqi officials on both sides of the debate sent public signals that a new payment deal was in the works for some 40 companies active in Kurdistan. Eide said on Wednesday DNO had tested its Tawke production and pipeline equipment at 70,000 barrels a day. He also said an alternative stock listing in London was on the agenda and said the company was considering possible acquisitions. Analysts have long speculated that DNO could be bought -- possibly by RAK Petroleum of the United Arab Emirates, which already owns 30 per cent of DNO shares -- if the contractual status of Tawke production got sorted out. "When it comes to selling we are looking to grow the company, and what will happen will happen," said Eide. "We are not focusing on the sales pitch, if you will." (Editing by David Holmes) ($1=5.804 Norwegian Crown) Keywords: DNO/ (walter.gibbs@thomsonreuters.com; +47 22 93 69 77) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved.

German trade with Iraq back to pre-invasion levels Published: Thursday, 5 May 2011 | 12:25 PM ET Text Size Twitter LinkedInMore Share BERLIN, May 5 (Reuters) - Business between Iraq and Germany has picked up dramatically and trade has reached levels not seen since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, Germany's Economy Ministry said on Thursday. Last year, trade volumes between the two countries grew by an annual 63 percent, surpassing the 1 billion euro ($1.5 billion) mark for the first time since the conflict and highlighting the growing role played in Iraq by Europe's largest economy. Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said Germany was planning to boost business ties with the country in response to a huge demand for investment, especially in infrastructure. "The business relationship with Iraq is developing outstandingly," he said in a statement. "We want to intensify our good cooperation even further in the future." Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari paid a visit to Berlin on Wednesday, during which Germany relaxed its travel warning for Iraq, saying business trips with professional security measures could now be considered. Emerging from the shadow of war, Iraq wants to shake off a legacy of violence and decline and rebuild its economy. Multibillion-dollar deals Baghdad signed with energy companies, which could quadruple oil output capacity in six years and put Iraq in oil's big league, are moving ahead only slowly. German exports to Iraq, mainly machinery, cars, electrical goods, chemicals and steel, rose 54 percent last year to 926 million euros. Imports to Germany, almost exclusively oil, nearly doubled to 160 million euros. Increased production would give Iraq the money it needs to rebuild, but everything depends on whether the OPEC member can secure its oilfields, refineries and other infrastructure. Eight years after the invasion which removed dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraq says it needs investment of about $600 billion, after war and sanctions crippled its economy. Last year, Baghdad agreed it would allocate $186 billion for a five-year plan to rebuild the economy, planning about 2,700 projects in different sectors with the government funding more than 50 percent of costs and the rest paid by private investors. (Reporting by Brian Rohan; editing by Andrew Dobbie) ($1=.6726 Euro) Keywords: GERMANY IRAQ/ (brian.rohan@reuters.com ; +49 30 2888 5223; Reuters Messaging

Iraqi Cabinet approves UN mandate on Iraqi state revenues; July 1 to begin new era for IraqPosted: April 27, 2011 by THE CURRENCY NEWSHOUND - Just Hopin in Iraqi Dinar/Politics Tags: Central Bank of Iraq, Development Fund for Iraq, Iraq, Iraqi government, Iraqi people, Politics of Iraq, United Nation, United Nations Security Council 0Baghdad (news) .. Orteurcil Ministers approved the report of the Government of Iraq on the transition to successor arrangements to the Development Fund for Iraq on the basis of Security Council resolution 1956 to the year 2010, submitted by the Committee to Protect Iraq’s funds. He said government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement received Agency (news) on Wednesday: “The ratification of the report of the Government of Iraq on the transition to successor arrangements to the Development Fund for Iraq is the result of the Iraqi government to protect the funds of the Iraqi people from the payment of debt owed by Iraq and the fulfillment of the obligations International and the completion of the items that resulted from it by the politicians earlier, Iraq had not chosen his own free will, but as a result of the policies of the former regime and the ensuing programs such as the oil for food program with the adoption of fully automated to ensure the protection of Iraqi funds after the end of the mandate of the Development Fund for Iraq, DFI at the end of the year 2010 “. He added: “The new arrangements will end the mandate of the United Nations on Iraqi state revenues as part of the Iraqi government’s efforts to emerge from Chapter VII resolutions.” He continued: “will open a special account on behalf of the Iraqi government in the United States receives all revenue and funds belonging to the Iraqi state and is managed by the Central Bank of Iraq in full without any international sponsorship and will be the work of the special arrangements for the allocation of 5% of oil revenues to the Compensation Fund for Kuwait as Iraq’s international obligations” . Dabbagh said: “This report will be presented to members of the UN Security Council for discussion and approval, such as an international work begins in July 1, 2011 to begin a new era in Iraq, the role of regional and international levels” http://wp.me/pZC7o-7Ms Share this: Share

West Qurna oilfield productivity rises to 300,000 barrels 4/27/2011 4:35 PM BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: South Oil Company said on Tuesday that West Qurna 1 field productivity increased to 300000 barrels per day and stressed that the productivity of the field will rise at the end of the current year to 400000 barrels per day. Exxon Mobil Company which invests the field said that it intends to drill 20 new oil wells during the upcoming period. "South Oil Company and Exxon Mobil and its partners are celebrating realizing the primary production target as to West Qurna 1 oil field after signing its development contract which is raising the field’s productivity from 200000 barrels to 300000 barrels," South Oil Company Manager Diaa Jaafar al-Moussawi said on the sidelines of a celebration organized for the occasion of raising the oil field productivity. "The oil field will produce more than 400000 barrels by the end of 2011," he added. He noted that the local government of Basra showed cooperation with the South Oil Company and with the other investment companies in Basra. ExxonMovil celebrated the increase in oil production of the West Qurna field. The celebration was attended by senior local officials and heads of investment companies in Basra. SH (TS)/SR

Aswat Al Iraq / Economy , Basra -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ExxonMobil grants Basra University 1$ million 4/26/2011 7:12 PM BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: ExxonMobil Iraq Limited is contributing 1.2 billion Iraqi dinar (US$1 million) to equip petroleum engineering laboratories at the University of Basra to be used by students seeking careers in Iraq’s oil and gas industry. This grant will also fund faculty and curriculum development under which some 46,000 students are expected to study over the next 20 years. There is a growing demand for highly skilled Iraqi professionals to work in the oil and gas sector. “With funding from ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, the university will be able to improve significantly the petroleum engineering department’s educational capacity, while supporting the broader objectives of the college of engineering,” said University of Basra Chancellor Saleh Al-Qernawi. “A highly skilled technical workforce is crucial to the country’s future success. In parallel, the ability of the university to further develop its faculty for a growing student body is the key to preparing the next generation of innovators,” said James Adams, ExxonMobil Iraq vice president. “The ExxonMobil grant will support the university in educating internationally qualified professionals and professors in support of Iraq’s energy priorities.” The College of Engineering at the University of Basra is focusing on increasing the number of qualified engineers in Iraq, particularly in the southern region of the country. In 2008, it established a department of petroleum engineering.

ExxonMobil announces increase of West Qurna production by 10 percent 4/26/2011 3:42 PM BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: ExxonMobil announced on Tuesday the increase of its oil production from the West Qurna oilfield in Basra by 10%, according to the company's regional director. "ExxonMobil held today a press conference to announce that the production from the West Qurna oilfield increased by 10%," Taha al-Tamimi told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. "The conference was attended by a number of senior Iraqi officials and representatives from the oil investment companies working in Basra as well as local chieftains," he added. ExxonMobil, leading developer of the West Qurna I oil field said March 28 that the 10% increase was achieved from the giant field, raising output to 285,000 b/d from baseline production of 244,000 b/d. The increases in production from the giant fields, which has come two years ahead of the contractual time frames, will entitle developers to start receiving payment for costs from the incremental production achieved. But the output rise has strained Iraq's infrastructure, which is being expanded to absorb the incremental barrels as foreign oil consortia ramp up production to their eventual plateau targets by 2017. Iraq is targeting production capacity of over 13 million b/d within the next six to seven years. Total production in March fell to 2.525 million b/d, a decline of 105,000 b/d from February's 1.630 million b/d. Exports also fell slightly in March to 2.159 million b/d, 43,000 b/d lower than February exports of 2.202 million b/d, which was the highest export rate since the 2003 war but is still above the critical rate of 2 million b/d. Iraq exported 1.687 million b/d from southern ports in March, down by 21,000 b/d over February's 1.708 million b/d. SH (TS)/SR

CBI study how to raise the value of the dinarPosted: April 18, 2011 by THE CURRENCY NEWSHOUND - Just Hopin in Iraqi Dinar/Politics Tags: Central Bank of Iraq, Currency, Economy of Iraq, Finance Ministry, International Monetary Fund, Iraq, Iraqi dinar, Politics of Iraq 0Monday, April 18, 2011 BAGHDAD – Adel Mahdi Iraqi Central Bank announced that it is currently working on the preparation of a law regulating mechanism for the cancellation of three zeros from the Iraqi currency, and the valuation of the currency in circulation economic, external and internal, but he stressed that the House of Representatives is the owner of the final decision. The adviser said the Central Bank of Iraq the appearance of Mohammed Saleh in a statement to «life»: «Central Bank of Iraq has to submit a law to regulate the process of removing three zeros from the Iraqi currency, sending it to the Council of Ministers, and then to the House of Representatives, to decide then whether there is a need to take such This decision is important and complex», stressing that «the central deal with this issue very carefully, because they may cause economic problems in the case of impulsive or perform any move that could disrupt the economic situation in the country». The Iraqi Ministry of Finance announced in February (February) the past, that the deletion of zeros from the local currency will liberate the Iraqi economy from the constraints and enhance the value of the Iraqi dinar in the International Monetary Fund, while the CBI believes that this process is complex and in need of a thorough study». Also showed the International Monetary Fund in August (August) past support for the Iraqi economy in the event of his number of economic measures, including the allocation of banks and raise three zeroes from the local currency and to meet debt and compensation is the responsibility of Iraq. The news indicated recently that the Iraqi government plans to make changes to the local currency, including raising three zeros in order to reduce inflation suffered by the Iraqi market, triggering a wide reactions and fears in the domestic financial market, particularly with regard to the savings in Iraqi banks, and other issues related to term payments, salaries and pension entitlements and the stock market and bonds, while some observers have found that playing with zeroes would not be a save for the currency as it is critical to address the mentality of a trader Iraqi monetary unit, and try to bring hope in the hearts of Iraqis. They pointed out that the Iraqi economy will not improve under the budgets of financial deficit and balance of payments is suffering from mismanagement, what will make the Iraqi citizen a target for the pitfalls of monetary illusion that his income improved, and the highest value of the former. http://wp.me/pZC7o-7Ck

I found this from CURRENCY NEWSHOUND; I insist on finding credible news as opposed to so-called guru intel!! Dow Jones: Iraq Central Bank Studies Procedure To Remove 3 Zeros From DinarPosted: April 18, 2011 by THE CURRENCY NEWSHOUND - Just Hopin in Iraqi Dinar/Politics Tags: Central bank, Central Bank of Iraq, Dow Jones Newswires, Economy of Iraq, Finance Ministry, Iraq, Iraqi dinar, middle east 0Monday, Apr 18, 2011 The Central Bank of Iraq, or CBI, is preparing a law to remove three zeros from the Iraqi dinar but the final decision lies with the country’s parliament, pan-Arab Al Hayat daily reports Monday. The central bank has to submit this law to the council of ministers, and then to the parliament which will decide whether there is a need to take such a decision, Mothahhar Saleh, CBI’s advisor, told the paper. The central bank is dealing with this matter very cautiously because any rush to implement such move may cause economic problems, he added. The Iraqi ministry of finance said in February that the deletion of zeros from the local currency will help free the Iraqi economy from constrictions and will enhance the value of the Iraqi dinar, the daily reports. (END) Dow Jones Newswires 18-04-11 0827GMT

ARTICLE FROM AN IRAQI NEWSPAPER( More credible and more newsworthy than the made-up stories and the so called guru intel). Folks, let's keep them HONEST!! Iraq’s 2011 budget scarce, average income per capita small, ex minister says. 4/20/2011 3:03 PM KARBALA / Aswat al-Iraq: Member of the Iraqi Parliament for the National Coalition and Member of its Health Committee, Saleh Mahdi al-Hasnawi, has described Iraq’s 2011 State Budget as “scarce” and the average income-per-capita as small, compared with other countries. “The General Budget for 2011 has suffered a deficit of 17 billion U.S. dollars, and the increase of oil prices now that has reached 100 dollars per barrel is not enough to cover the deficit of the budget,” Hasnawi, a former Health Minister, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. asnawi said that this year’s General Budget is “scarce and the Iraqi citizen must understand that,” expressing hope that the 2012 budget would be more delicate and practical.” “The average annual income-per-capita of the Iraqi citizen reaches 2,300-2,500 U.S. dollars, which is small compared to that of in the other states,” adding that the amounts deducted from the Budget for Kuwait’s loans reach 5% of its total amount, along with 3% for the so-called Paris Club; so one can say that the income is not enough to allege that we have a good health condition.,” he said.

Aswat Al Iraq / Economy , Baghdad -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CBI caps week with $123m sales 4/21/2011 2:14 PM BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) registered $123.072 million sales on Thursday, compared to the previous session’s $177.287 million sales, at an exchange rate of 1170 Iraqi dinars per dollar. "The demand hit $4.574 million in cash, covered at an exchange rate of 1,183 Iraqi dinars per dollar, and $118.498 million in foreign transfers outside the country, covered at an exchange rate of 1,183 Iraqi dinars per dollar," according to a CBI news bulletin received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency. None of the 17 banks that participated in today’s session offered to sell dollars. The Central Bank of Iraq runs a daily auction from Sunday to Thursday. SH (TP)/SR

MORE ENCOURAGING NEWS FOR THE OPTIMISTIC INVESTORS Aswat Al Iraq / Economy , Basra Basra Investment Commission confers with British Council on investment in Province. 4/20/2011 1:35 PM BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: The Chairman of the Investment Commission in southern Iraq’s Basra Province has conferred with the British Consul in Basra, Richard Wood, on Wednesday on means for presenting facilities for British companies to invest in the Province. “Talks took place with the British Consul on the issues of joint economic and investment relations, as well as means for hammer down the obstacles confronting the British companies in Basra and to render necessary facilities to allow the entrance of investors, along with holding a broad meeting with those companies to get acquainted with the Province’s investment environment and chances opened in different sectors,” Basra’s Chairman of Investment Commission, Haider Ali Fadhel told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. Noteworthy is that among the projects that scored investment licenses to invite British companies to invest in Basra, had been the project of Basra’s Logistic Project and the New Shueiba Electric Power Station Fadhel also called on the British Consul “to accelerate the registration of British companies by the Iraqi Trade Ministry, in order to facilitate their granting of government tenders.” On his part, British Consul, Richard Wood, had reiterated that the security stability witnessed in Basra, had helped in the activation of the investment movement and the opening of several branches for foreign companies that work without special protection in the Province.

I This is another credible article from a credible news media( BLOOMBERG); I, like many of you out there, am tired of crappy intels that are not worth the paper they write on. Global Economics April 22, 2010, 11:00AM EST raq's Economy Wakes Up Investment and products from abroad begin flowing—along with oil By Stanley Reed and Nayla Razzouk Boosting private investment won't be easy. Officials were "raised in a statist environment" Customers heading for a Baghdad branch of Dar Es Salaam Investment Bank know the drill. You walk through the entrance and heavily armed guards stop you. You get body-searched at least twice. And your phone is taken away before you reach a teller. Mobile phones, of course, can trigger bombs or send a signal to armed accomplices. Yet Dar Es Salaam (known as DES) is thriving as Iraq begins to show signs of life. Profits have grown from about $600,000 in 2004 to more than $16 million. HSBC (HBC), the giant international bank that bought 70% of DES in 2005, feels so confident that it may put its own brand on the banks. "We think the timing is right," says James Hogan, HSBC's country manager. "Iraqis are starting to reconnect to the outside world." Seven years after the ouster of Saddam Hussein, Iraq has changed. Yes, convoys of SUVs packed with heavily armed security men still roar down Baghdad's busy streets. Armed gangs still prey on truckers. Iraq's political class struggles to form a new government. The few expat managers in the country live like prisoners: Every night, HSBC's Hogan holes up in a walled compound run by a security company. Ordinary Iraqis, however, are living more normally than they have in years. Shops on Saadoun and Karrada Streets are filled with flat-screen TVs, computers, and clothing from China, Turkey, Iran, and Korea. Pedestrians have to step around the Turkish and Iranian refrigerators and stoves piled outside. At night many Baghdadis relax watching one of the privately owned television channels that have sprung up, or checking the latest Iraqi Web sites. Oil money from rising production is powering growth, as is pent-up demand for housing and better infrastructure. Now that the government has awarded oil-field contracts worth billions of dollars to BP (BP), ExxonMobil (XOM), China National Petroleum, and others, foreign clients are besieging Hogan for help in financing everything from pipelines to power grids to workers' camps. Suppliers are following in the majors' footsteps: Weatherford (WFT) for drilling, Centrilift (CAM) for pumps, Cameron for valves. The International Monetary Fund figures the economy could grow 7.3% in 2010. In 2003 the economy barely had a pulse. The central bank, buttressed by the IMF, has stabilized the dinar at about 1,170 to the dollar (it was once 1,500) and has lowered inflation to single digits from a peak of 80% in 2006. Foreign reserves stand at about $50 billion. "This definitely gives predictability," says Marcel Cobuz, Iraq general manager of Lafarge, the French building-materials maker. Lafarge gained its two Iraqi cement plants, both located near Sulaimaniya in Kurdistan, through its acquisition of Egypt's Orascom Cement in 2007. From this relatively safe base—Lafarge has never experienced a security incident—Cobuz is expanding into the trickier center and south of the country. Lafarge now sells almost half its 5-million-ton annual output in Iraq to construction companies in the Baghdad area. Figuring demand for cement can only grow, Cobuz may next buy derelict state-owned plants, refurbish them, and boost production. Construction, he reckons, will be up 15% this year. One by-product of the regime's fixation on oil is that it has done little to encourage private investment, says Ali Allawi, a former Finance Minister: "[Officials] were raised in a statist environment. They don't see the connection between private-sector investment and reducing unemployment." Entrepreneurs who lack the funds to modernize their businesses struggle against better-financed rivals. Thabet Al-Beldawi, 80, owns an aluminum plant in Baghdad. He's down to 85 employees from 250 since the fall of Saddam Hussein. "There is a growing demand," he says. "But the market is full of cheap imports." Sami Al-Araji, chairman of the National Investment Commission, says the government is now "trying to emphasize the role of the private investor." The most encouraging thing about Iraq is that outside investors press on. Schlumberger, the oil services company, is quickly moving $100 million into Iraq, in part to build a base camp that will employ 300 workers. Iraq Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani, who negotiated with the oil majors last year, thinks the oil fields will eventually generate 100,000 Iraqi jobs. Schlumberger's top brass are primed to hire: They figure the country is a Saudi-size opportunity and that up to 100 drilling rigs will be needed for what could be the biggest oil boom of all. The Iraqi people are ready. The bottom line: Foreign direct investment is key to Iraq's revival, but the IMF figures less than $1 billion came in last year. That number could multiply fast. With Kadhim Ajrash and Zahraa Alkhalisi. Reed is London bureau chief for Bloomberg Businessweek. Razzouk is a reporter for Bloomberg News.

This kind of news is encouraging; above all, it comes from credible sources!! Iraq has doubled its electricity capacity By Jim Michaels, USA TODAYUpdated 4h 7m ago | 2 | 0ShareReprints & PermissionsIraq has doubled its electricity capacity over prewar levels, making dramatic headway in a critical benchmark that had plagued U.S. leaders and frustrated Iraqis since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. By Hadi Mizban, By AP Protesters chant anti-government slogans during a protest on April 15 in Baghdad. EnlargeCloseBy Hadi Mizban, By AP Protesters chant anti-government slogans during a protest on April 15 in Baghdad. Iraq’s supply of electricity is 7,900 megawatts, about double the levels before the war, according to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. Demand for electricity has increased 73% since 2005 to 15,300 megawatts, according to embassy statistics. For years, Iraq’s sputtering electrical grid was a symbol of U.S. inability to rebuild Iraq in the face of growing chaos. Iraq has increased capacity by renovating plants, buying power from outside the country and improving transmission lines. Much of the capacity was increased in the past three years, according to U.S. military statistics. The United States has contributed $4.6 billion since 2003 to Iraq’s efforts to restore electricity. “They generate and transmit more electricity now than they ever have in the past,” said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, the top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq. Even with the increase, Iraq will fall short of what is needed because demand for power is skyrocketing at an even faster clip. Iraqis have access to computers, wide-screen televisions, air conditioners and other items that were in short supply when the country was under sanctions imposed by the United Nations. Because most consumers pay little or nothing for electricity, there is not much incentive to conserve. That will probably mean continued blackouts in Baghdad and elsewhere that will force residents to use generators and other private sources of electricity. “There’s still a significant gap between desire and capacity,” said Anthony Cordesman, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. That has Iraq’s government concerned as summer approaches. Temperatures regularly rise above 100 degrees in summer. Protesters have taken to the streets as part of a wave of regional unrest sweeping across the Arab world and could do so again. Iraq’s demonstrations focus on a variety of issues, including corruption, unemployment and cronyism, Cordesman said. A lack of services, such as clean water and electricity, helps trigger the anger, he said. “They are listening, and they’re very concerned about how … do they meet the people’s needs,” Buchanan said of Iraq’s government. At the height of the insurgency, militants targeted power lines and other infrastructure, but violence has dropped dramatically. It’s not clear when Iraq’s ability to generate electricity will catch up with demand. The International Monetary Fund forecasts Iraq’s economy will grow by 9.65% this year. Most of Iraq’s economy is based on oil, which has been increasing in price. Iraq’s government has contracted with 14 foreign oil companies, and crude oil production has increased 26% over prewar levels to 2.7 million barrels a day.

[The rumor yesterday about some one had cashed 25000 iqd in Switzerland, was another one of those pathetically sick joke from another one of those sick clowns. I called UBS in Geveva(+41 44 2341111) this morning @ around 09:30am; they told me they know of no such thing and are NOT exchanging the iqd( neither them, nor any of their other branches). So any passing such moran stories, know that there are some of us out there that are WAY TOO smart and certainly, MUCH SMARTER than YOU!!!

You were so scared? of what? You are the first person I've ever heard getting scared when asked if you needed help in a bank!!! Unless one had gone in to rob the bank or was preparing to do something shady! And the thing that his eyes got big?? Sounds like many of you are getting your scripts from some VERY cheap novels. Listen, many of these bank employees don't know their right from the left. So these titles bank president, manager etc, do not entitle them to viable knowledge. Many of them don't even know (say for ex. what a Canadian$ looks like)!!

You are the same guys that told us not so long ago about large screen TVs all over Bagdad and how dignitaries were arriving in the city!! REMEMBER??? Here is what happened today 03/30/2011 in Bagdad( and this my friend is not a sign of any celebration).You probably meant well, but if is another one of those garbage stories, it doesn't kick, bro. Baghdad (CNN) -- At least nine city and provincial officials were among dozens killed when armed militants took over a government building in Iraq and held hostages this week, Interior Ministry officials told CNN Wednesday. At least two journalists, including CNN contributor Sabah al-Bazi, were among the dead when armed men assaulted and seized the building in Tikrit in northern Iraq on Tuesday. At least 56 people died and 98 others were wounded in the attack, which ended after Iraqi forces launched a raid to take back the building and free the hostages. The United States condemned the "senseless and brutal attack" in a statement on Wednesday. The embassy in Baghdad called it "an attack on the very foundations of democracy that Iraqis have strived so valiantly to build." The armed militants, clad in police uniforms, clashed with the Iraqi police, and a suicide car bombing also was reported in the fighting in Tikrit, the capital of Salaheddin Province. Three provincial council members were among the dead, as were six city council members from the nearby town of Shirqat, officials said. Overall violence in Iraq has dropped drastically over the past three years, and the insurgency there has received devastating blows. However, Tuesday's assault shows that Iraq remains an unstable country and insurgents are still able to carry out deadly attacks. "This coordinated attack in Tikrit bears the hallmark of al Qaeda in Iraq, and the attackers were planning to take all members of Salaheddin Provincial Council as hostages," a senior official with Tikrit police told CNN on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to media. Al-Bazi was a freelancer who worked with Reuters, CNN and Al-Arabiya, according to his cousin Mahmoud Salih, also a freelance journalist. Salih -- who said al-Bazi died in the car bombing -- told CNN his cousin contacted him 30 minutes before he died, asking him whether he wanted to film ammunition seized by security forces. A number of gunmen inside the building were wearing explosive vests, and at least two of the attackers detonated their vests as Iraqi security forces approached, Tikrit police said. Dozens of employees were held hostage inside the building, which houses the provincial council and other government offices. Local TV in Tikrit showed video of smoke rising from the building, surrounded by Iraqi security forces, and aired the sounds of heavy gunfire. The tactics were similar to an attack on a church in Baghdad in October, when gunmen took dozens of hostages, detonated suicide belts, and killed and wounded scores of people. Authorities in Salaheddin announced a three-day mourning period for the victims of Tuesday's attack. A U.S. military spokeswoman said American troops "assisted Iraqi security forces with securing the site of the attack and were providing aerial observation and surveillance in support of Iraqi forces on the ground." The United States is set to withdraw all of its troops from Iraq at the end of the year in a bilateral agreement with the Iraqi government. However, it is too soon to predict whether the United States and Iraq will negotiate an agreement to keep some U.S. soldiers there after year's end.

Sir, in response to you , I 'd say what the Bible teaches:"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge". Hosea 4:6. And let me further say that GOD has everything to do with our lives: your job, your life, finances, you name it. Further more here are some explanations of the word blessing. noun 1. the act or words of a person who blesses. 2. a special favor, mercy, or benefit: the blessings of liberty. 3. a favor or gift bestowed by god, thereby bringing happiness. 4. the invoking of God's favor upon a person: The son was denied his father's blessing. 5. praise; devotion; worship, especially grace said before a meal: The children took turns reciting the blessing. 6. approval or good wishes: The proposed law had the blessing of the governor. Use blessing in a Sentence See images of blessing Search blessing on the Web -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Origin: before 900; Middle English blessinge, -unge, Old English bletsung, bledsung. See bless, -ing1 —Synonyms 2. advantage, boon, gain, profit, bounty

With all this so called intel and guru information( which has all turned out to be one lie after another), as Christians, and I take it that many of us on this website are, shouldn't we be lifting our eyes unto the hills( to the ALMIGHTY Himself)? You will be getting crazy people and liers cooking up stories about the rv, but Scripture teaches us ( in the Book of Hebrews) " looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith". "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD".( Proverb 16:33) We learn here that we've all made this dinar investment,we may comment here, argue there give opinion, cook up lies etc; BUT the final say will come from The Ancient of Days!! "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain". Psamls 127:1. Which ever way you want to argue it GOD is the final say. What I am trying to say here: If we want this thing to come through and we ALL do, it is time to go to our knees, pray FERVENTLY . "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much". James 5:16. I am not talking about a prayer of once in a blue moon; I mean continuous praying and fasting until the heavens OPEN. Remember how Elijah could not give up in prayer until the rains came. For that Christian who knows his GOD, you know what I am talking about.