Baghdad deepens banking reforms with KPMG partnership review

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani praises global audit firm’s role in strengthening governance and transparency across Iraq’s financial sector.

Staff Writer
Staff Writer

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Iraq is partnering with firms such as KPMG to improve governance and transparency within its financial institutions. Prime Minister Al-Sudani has emphasised the importance of these relationships to improve credit ratings and compliance.

Key points

  • Iraq partners with KPMG to boost confidence in its financial sector.
  • PM Al-Sudani emphasises strategic relationships with global firms.
  • Reforms improve credit ratings and compliance with global standards.

Iraq is seeking to bolster confidence in its financial sector through closer cooperation with global audit and advisory firms. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with representatives of KPMG to review the company’s ongoing work with Iraqi banks.

Al-Sudani underscored the government’s strategy of building “strategic relationships” with leading international firms to enhance governance, professionalism, and transparency within Iraq’s financial institutions, according to a statement from his office.

The prime minister highlighted the achievements of Iraq’s reform programs, which have helped improve credit ratings, increase foreign partners’ trust, strengthen compliance with anti-money laundering standards, and introduce modern electronic reporting systems.

He stressed that harnessing KPMG’s expertise will be critical in restructuring state-owned companies, improving operational efficiency, addressing debt management challenges, and providing technical and legal advice for major contracts and strategic projects.

Al-Sudani also reaffirmed the government’s support for the Central Bank of Iraq and the Trade Bank of Iraq as they continue to cooperate with KPMG in line with international audit standards. He described transparency and financial accountability as “fundamental pillars” for building a modern national economy.