Shafaq News-Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollarheld steady in Baghdad markets Thursday evening while edging lower in Erbil.

According to aShafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah andAl-Harithiya exchanges at 153,350 dinars per 100 dollars, unchanged from themorning session.

Exchange shopsin the capital sold the dollar at 154,000 dinars and bought it at 153,000dinars.

In Erbil, thedollar slipped, with selling prices standing at 153,350 dinars per 100 dollarsand buying prices at 153,150 dinars.

Shafaq News-Baghdad/ Erbil

On Thursday,gold prices hovered around 1.04 million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbilmarkets, according to a survey by Shafaq News.

Gold prices onBaghdad's Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 1,038,000 IQD per mithqal(equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, andEuropean varieties, with a buying price of 1,034,000 IQD.

The sellingprice for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 1,008,000 IQD, with a buying price of1,004,000 IQD.

In jewelrystores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between1,040,000 and 1,050,000 IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 1,010,000 and1,020,000 IQD.

In Erbil,22-carat gold was sold at 1,090,000 IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1,040,000IQD, and 18-carat gold at 890,000 IQD.

Shafaq News-Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollaropened Thursday's trading lower in Iraq, hovering around 153,000 dinars per 100dollars.

According to aShafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah andAl-Harithiya exchanges at 153,350 dinars per 100 dollars, down from theprevious session's 153,400 dinars.

In the Iraqicapital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 154,000 dinars and bought it at153,000 dinars, while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 153,450 dinars andbuying prices at 153,350 dinars.

Shafaq News- Basrah

Iraq’s Basrah crudes edged lower by more than 2.5% onThursday, outperforming several regional benchmarks.

Market data showed Basrah Heavy falling $3.46, or 2.93% to$114.45 per barrel, and Basrah Medium crude declined $3.46, or 2.88%, reaching$116.55 per barrel.

In contrast, several regional grades declined, with SaudiLight at $112.27 per barrel, Qatar’s Al-Shaheen at $100.28, Kuwait crude at$103.54, UAE’s Murban at $100.85, and Iran Light at $98.87.

Globally, Brent crude futures rose 9 cents, to $95.02 perbarrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 44 cents to $91.73 abarrel.

Iraq prices its crude based on export destinations, withshipments to Asia linked to the Dubai and Oman benchmarks, exports to Europetied to Brent with premiums or discounts, and cargoes to the United Statespriced against WTI in line with market conditions.

Shafaq News

Gold prices rose on Thursday, supported by a weaker dollarand lower U.S. Treasury yields, as investors grew optimistic about a potentialend to the Middle East war, which has stoked fears of higher inflation.

Spot gold rose 0.9% to $4,830.82 per ounce by 0455 GMT. U.S.gold futures for June delivery gained 0.6% to $4,853.40.

The U.S. dollar fell to its lowest level in six weeks,making greenback-denominated commodities, including bullion, more affordablefor holders of ⁠othercurrencies.

Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields eased 0.1%, as hopesof a U.S.-Iran peace deal eased higher-for-longer U.S. interest rate bets.

"The primary driver (for gold) is the optimism about aU.S.-Iran ceasefire that is pushing down longer-term bond yields globally andthat kind of created a lower opportunity cost of holding gold and silver,"said Kelvin Wong, a senior market analyst at OANDA.

"If we start to see a break above $4,900, furtherpotential upside cannot be ruled out towards the next intermediate resistancezone, which is at the psychological level of $5,000."

Optimism grew that the war may be near an ⁠end, with a key Pakistanimediator in Tehran and the President Donald Trump administration talking uphopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

On the other hand, Israel's cabinet met on Wednesday todiscuss a possible ceasefire in neighbouring Lebanon, a senior Israeli officialsaid, more than six weeks into its ⁠warwith Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Spot gold prices have fallen more than 8% since the Iran warbegan in late February amid concerns that elevated energy prices could feedinto inflation and keep global interest rates higher.

While ⁠goldis considered a hedge against inflation, higher interest rates weigh on thenon-yielding metal's demand.

In the U.S., traders now see a 29% chance of a25-basis-point interest rate cut this ⁠year.Before the war, there were expectations of two reductions for this year.

Among other metals, spot silver rose 2% to $80.61 per ounce,platinum gained 1.6% to $2,143.08, and palladium was up 1.4% at $1,592.84.

(REUTERS)

Only the headline is edited by Shafaq News.

Shafaq News

Oil prices were little changed on Thursday, reversingearlier declines, on scepticism that peace talks between the U.S. and Iran willreach a deal to end the war that has bottled up oil output from the key MiddleEast producing region.

Brent crude futures were up 9 cents to $95.02 a barrel at0427 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 44 cents to $91.73a barrel.

Both benchmarks settled little changed on Wednesday buttraded in a wide range.

The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has resulted in thelargest-ever disruption of global oil and gas ⁠suppliesdue to Iran's interruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, whichtypically carries about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flows.

"While there are hopes for de-escalation, manyinvestors remain sceptical, given that U.S.-Iran talks have repeatedly brokendown even after appearing to make progress," said Toshitaka Tazawa, ananalyst at Fujitomi Securities.

"Until a peace deal is reached and free navigationthrough the strait is restored, WTI prices are expected to continue fluctuatingbetween $80 and $100," he added.

Analysts from ING estimate that roughly 13 million barrelsper day of oil flow has been disrupted by the closure of the strait, aftertaking into consideration pipeline diversions and the trickle of tankers thathave passed through the gateway, they said in a note on ⁠Thursday.

With the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports announced after thecollapse of peace talks over the weekend, the disruption could increase.

"The physical market is becoming tighter every day thatpasses without a restart of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz," theING analysts said.

A source briefed by Tehran told Reuters that Iran couldconsider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait ofHormuz ⁠if a deal wasreached to prevent renewed conflict after a two-week ceasefire started on April8.

U.S. and Iranian officials were weighing a return toPakistan for further talks as early as the coming weekend. Pakistan's armychief arrived in Tehran on Wednesday as a mediator to try to prevent ⁠a renewal of the conflict.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday thatWashington will not be renewing the waivers that allowed the purchase of someIranian and Russian oil without facing U.S. sanctions.

Underscoring the tightness of global crude and ⁠oil product supply, U.S.inventories of oil, gasoline and distillate fuels fell last week, the EnergyInformation Administration said on Wednesday, as imports declined and exportsjumped to meet the needs of countries searching for barrels to replace thedisrupted flows.

(REUTERS)

Only the headline is edited by Shafaq News.

Shafaq News- Amman

Exports from the Amman Chamber of Commerce rose by 30.9% inthe first quarter of 2026, with Iraq ranking as the top destination.

The chamber said in a report that the value of certificatesof origin issued for exports to Arab and foreign countries reached 406 millionJordanian dinars (about $574.8M), compared to 310 million dinars (about$438.8M) during the same period in 2025.

The data showed Iraq led importing countries with exportsvalued at 156 million dinars (about $220.8M). Other markets includedSwitzerland at 92 million dinars (about $130.2M), Egypt at around 23 milliondinars (about $32.5M), Syria at approximately 21 million dinars (about $29.7M),and the United Arab Emirates at a similar level.

According to the statistics, 6,830 certificates of originwere issued in the first quarter, compared to 7,263 during the same period lastyear, covering a range of goods including re-exported foreign products, as wellas industrial, agricultural, and Arab-origin goods.

In the first two months of 2026, Iraq also ranked as the topdestination for Jordanian exports, with shipments worth 103 million dinars($145 million), as total exports rose to 273 million dinars from 226 milliondinars in the same period last year, marking a 20.6% increase.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran halted all petrochemical exports on Wednesday, Iranianmedia reported, citing a document and officials in the petrochemical sector.

The decision is intended for an indefinite period to meetdomestic demand under current economic and security conditions, the documentstated, adding that the decision aimed to support local industries andconsumers amid the impact of war and mounting economic pressures.

Under the directive, domestic prices for oil, refined, andpetrochemical products have been fixed at levels in place before February 28,2026, despite a noticeable rise in global prices. The measures were issuedunder emergency decisions to stabilize the internal market.

Reports indicate that several petrochemical facilities inIran sustained significant damage during recent airstrikes amid escalatingmilitary tensions involving the United States and Israel on one side and Iranon the other. Facilities in Mahshahr, Bandar Imam, and Asaluyeh were amongthose targeted, causing substantial infrastructure damage.

Earlier, Israel has claimed responsibility for the strikes,which included attacks on petrochemical sites in southern Iran, following anearlier strike on the Tabriz Petrochemical Complex.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar varied against the Iraqi dinar at Wednesday's closing in Baghdad and Erbil, according to Shafaq News market survey.

At Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges in Baghdad, the dollar closed at 153,600 IQD per $100, down from 153,500 IQD recorded at the morning session.

In local exchange shops across Baghdad, the selling price reached 154,000 IQD per $100, while the buying price stood at 153,000 IQD.

In Erbil, the dollar declined, with a selling price of 153,550 IQD per $100 and a buying price of 153,450 IQD per $100.

Shafaq News- Basrah

Iraq’s Basrah crudes rose by more than 0.3% on Wednesday,outperforming several regional benchmarks.

Market data showed Basrah Heavy gaining 46 cents, or 0.39%, to$117.91 per barrel, while Basrah Medium rose by the same amount, up 0.38%, to$120.01 per barrel.

In contrast, several regional grades declined, with Saudi Light at$115.92 per barrel, Qatar’s Al-Shaheen at $103.39, Kuwait crude at $103.34,UAE’s Murban at $100.85, and Iran Light at $98.22.

Globally, Brent crude futures rose 43 cents, or 0.5%, to $95.22 perbarrel at 0821 GMT, after falling 4.6% in the previous session. US West TexasIntermediate (WTI) crude edged down 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $91.11, following a 7.9%decline a day earlier.

Iraq prices its crude based on export destinations, with shipmentsto Asia linked to the Dubai and Oman benchmarks, exports to Europe tied toBrent with premiums or discounts, and cargoes to the United States pricedagainst WTI in line with market conditions.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

On Wednesday, gold prices hoveredaround 1.04 million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbil markets,according to a survey by Shafaq News Agency.

Gold prices on Baghdad's Al-Nahr Streetrecorded a selling price of 1,038,000 IQD per mithqal (equivalent tofive grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and Europeanvarieties, with a buying price of 1,034,000 IQD. The same gold had soldfor 1,033,000 IQD on Tuesday.

The selling price for 21-carat Iraqigold stood at 1,008,000 IQD, with a buying price of 1,004,000 IQD.

In jewelry stores, the selling price permithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1,040,000 and 1,050,000IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 1,010,000 and 1,020,000IQD.

In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 1,090,000IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1,040,000 IQD, and 18-caratgold at 890,000 IQD.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/Erbil

The US dollar openedWednesday’s trading lower in Iraq, hovering around 153,000 dinarsper 100 dollars.

According to a Shafaq News marketsurvey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 153,400dinars per 100 dollars, down from the previous session’s 153,700 dinars.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shopssold the dollar at 154,000 dinars and bought it at 153,000 dinars,while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 153,600 dinars and buying pricesat 153,450 dinars.

Shafaq News

Gold prices logged a slight loss after hitting a one-monthhigh earlier in the session on Wednesday, as prospects of another round ofpeace talks between the U.S. and Iran lifted risk appetite, while rising oilprices added to higher inflation woes.

Spot gold was down 0.3% at $4,826.13 per ounce, as of 0501GMT, after hitting its highest since March 18 earlier. U.S. gold futures forJune delivery were steady at $4,850.40.

Talks to end ⁠theIran war could resume in Pakistan over the next two days, U.S. President DonaldTrump said on Tuesday, after the collapse of weekend negotiations.

Gold prices are reacting to the Middle East headlines in theshort term with hopes that the two countries will engage in talks, said Marexanalyst Edward Meir.

"If things fall apart again, we can revert to thepre-ceasefire pattern of lower gold, a stronger dollar and lower equityprices."

Bullion is up 1.6% so far this week.

Asian stocks scaled a six-week peak on investor optimismthat the Iran war may wind down soon.

Oil prices ⁠gainedamid uncertainty over crude supply from the key Middle East producing region asthe Strait of Hormuz remains mainly shut.

Higher crude prices feed into inflation by raisingtransportation and production costs. While gold is treated as a hedge againstinflation, higher interest rates weigh on the non-yielding metal's demand.

The U.S. ⁠militarysaid late on Tuesday that American forces have completely halted economic tradegoing into and out of Iran by sea through a blockade of Iranian ports.

In the U.S., traders see a 29% chance of a 25-basis-pointrate ⁠cut this year, upfrom about 13% last week. Before the war, there were expectations of two cutsfor 2026. FEDWATCH

"While gold and silver rallied strongly overnight, thebroader signal was decisively risk-on ⁠ratherthan defensive positioning," analysts at OCBC said in a note.

Among other metals, spot silver rose 0.4% to $79.88 perounce, platinum gained 0.4% to $2,112.05, and palladium was up 0.1% at$1,588.29.

(REUTERS)

Only the headline is edited by Shafaq News.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s economy is set to contract by around 6.8% in 2026, theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasted on Wednesday, citing risingtensions in the Middle East and pressure on energy markets as key driversbehind the outlook.

Despite the recent surge in international oil prices, which typicallysupports exporting economies, the IMF cautioned that these gains for Iraq maybe offset by higher import costs and rising inflation. It added that thisdynamic is likely to increase pressure on households and push up prices foressential goods and services.

The Fund also warned that a prolonged escalation could drive oil pricesabove $110 per barrel, complicating global efforts to contain inflation andprompting tighter monetary policy.

In previous reports, the IMF expected Baghdad’s economy to expand 3.6%in both 2026 and 2027. The pace is projected to strengthen further, reaching3.9% in 2028 and 4.1% by 2029 and 2030.

Shafaq News

Oil prices were mixed on Wednesday with Brent futures up andU.S. futures down amid uncertainty over crude supply from the key Middle Eastproducing region as the Strait of Hormuz remains mainly shut.

Brent crude futures were up 40 cents, or 0.4%, to $95.19 abarrel at 0420 GMT, paring earlier losses of as much as 0.9%, after falling 4.6%in the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was down 23 cents,or 0.3%, to $91.05. The contract earlier fell as much as 4.7% after dropping7.9% the session before.

Talks to end the war between the U.S. and Israel ⁠and Iran could resume inPakistan over the next two days, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday,after the collapse of negotiations over the weekend prompted Washington toimpose a blockade on Iranian ports. This has increased optimism talks couldeventually settle the conflict and open up crude oil and fuel flows.

While the market is thinking the worst is over and factoringin further rounds of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran in the coming days,there is more hope than actual developments at this point, said Suvro Sarkar,energy sector team lead at DBS Bank.

"Physical oil is still trading at significant premiumsto these futures prices," he said.

The war has mostly shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterwayfor crude and refined product flows out of the Gulf to global buyers,particularly in Asia and Europe.

Refiners are desperately seeking alternative crude supply, ⁠pushing the premiums they arewilling to pay for oil from areas such as the U.S. Gulf Coast and North Sea. Acargo of WTI Midland for delivery to Rotterdam traded at a record premium of$22.80 a barrel above benchmark European prices on Tuesday.

Despite a two-week ceasefire, transit through the straitremains uncertain, with traffic at only a fraction of the 130 or so vesselsthat moved through the waterway before the war, sources said on Tuesday.

A U.S. destroyer stopped two ⁠oiltankers from leaving Iran on Tuesday, a U.S. official said.

"While diplomatic headlines suggest the possibility ofrenewed U.S.-Iran talks and even a temporary easing of transit restrictions,the physical reality remains fragmented," the Schork Group said in a note.

The market stands to lose some access to further supplyafter two U.S. administration officials told ⁠Reuterson Tuesday the U.S. will not renew a 30-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oilat sea that expires this week, and quietly let a similar waiver on sanctions onRussian oil expire over the weekend.

Later in the day, markets will be watching for official U.S.inventory ⁠data from theEnergy Information Administration due at 10:30 a.m. ET (1430 GMT).

U.S. crude oil stockpiles were expected to have risenslightly last week, while distillate and gasoline inventories likely fell, aReuters poll showed.

(REUTERS)

Only the headline is edited by Shafaq News.

Shafaq News- Basra

Iraq’s gas sector, particularly in the southern regions, iswitnessing a sharp decline in production amid ongoing regional tensions and theclosure of the Strait of Hormuz, directly impacting the country’s energy systemdue to its reliance on oil output.

The drop follows reduced oil production and the halt ofexports, leading to lower volumes of associated gas. This has forcedauthorities to adopt alternative measures to maintain supplies, especially forpower plants and the domestic market.

Ali Salman Majid, Director of the South Gas Company, toldShafaq News that raw gas production has fallen significantly. “Productionpreviously reached around 1.2 billion standard cubic feet but has now droppedto about 400 million due to reduced oil output,” he said, noting that thedecline has affected dry gas, liquid gas, and condensates.

He added that dry gas output also dropped from 1.1 billionto around 400 million standard cubic feet, directly impacting electricitygeneration. However, the Oil Ministry has compensated by using alternativefuels such as gas oil and crude oil.

“Liquefied gas production at the South Gas Company declinedfrom about 6,000 tons per day, while Iraq’s total output previously rangedbetween 9,000 and 10,000 tons per day,” Majid stated, adding that Currentnationwide production has fallen to around 5,000 tons daily, with the company’soutput dropping to approximately 1,800 tons.

He noted that while 2,000 to 3,000 tons per day werepreviously allocated to the domestic market and the rest exported, exports havenow stopped.

Despite the decline, Majid confirmed there is no shortage ofcooking gas domestically. “Available stock exceeds 40,000 tons, in addition tounderground and surface reserves of more than 30,000 tons,” he said, clarifyingthat these amounts, along with ongoing production and refinery supplies, “ensurefull coverage of local demand.”

He added that investment projects under the South GasCompany continue without interruption, supported by available materials and ongoingoperations, including foreign expertise. Accelerated projects have also beenlaunched to mitigate the crisis, including the Bin Omar field project, wheregas is being redirected to the Basra Gas Company.

The project is expected within 15 days to produce around 500tons of cooking gas daily, along with dry gas, potentially preventing anysupply shortages.

On long-term plans, Majid said the Artawi gas investmentproject, with a total capacity of 600 million standard cubic feet across twophases, is expected to become operational between 2028 and 2029. The Nasiriyahgas project is scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2027 witha capacity of 200 million standard cubic feet. He added that the Bin Omar investment project, alsoconsisting of two phases with a capacity of 150 million standard cubic feeteach, is currently stalled due to land acquisition issues but is expected toresume, with operations projected between 2028 and 2029.

Earlier on Tuesday, the International Energy Agency sharplyrevised down its forecasts for oil supply and demand growth, citing the impactof the Middle East conflict on global flows and economic conditions.

Shafaq News- Najaf

Iraq is positioning Najaf as a key mining investment hub, highlighting high-purity silica sand –known as “white gold”– as a strategic resource, the Iraqi Geological Survey said on Tuesday.

Silica reserves in Iraq are estimated at around 350 million tons, with projections reaching up to 1 billion tons across Najaf and Al-Anbar, according to official and expert assessments. The resource is critical for solar panels, semiconductors, and fiber optics, placing Iraq within global supply chains for clean energy and advanced technology.

The Geological Survey revealed that it is expanding mining investment under existing laws to support industrial development and diversify revenues, citing Najaf’s geological and industrial potential. The province also holds deposits of limestone used in cement and construction, as well as quartz and industrial sands used in glass and ceramics.

The sector could generate billions of dollars and create more than 10,000 jobs, it added, as the global silica market is projected to reach $85.86 billion by 2033.

Iraq also holds major reserves of other minerals, including sulfur, phosphate, and limestone.

Shafaq News- Washington

Syria and Iraq have reached a set of new economicunderstandings, with plans to advance energy cooperation and facilitatebilateral trade, Syria’s Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh said on Tuesday, describingthe communication with the Iraqi government as continuous and constructive.

Speaking to Shafaq News on the sidelines of the World BankSpring Meetings in Washington, Barnieh added that developments in this “vital issue”are expected soon. He said Syria’s new government is prioritizing the removalof obstacles to trade and investment, stressing official efforts to strengthenties between business sectors in both countries and restore economic relationsto a strategic level.

On international engagements in Washington, Barnieh pointedto progress at the World Bank, where an agreement was reached on a “specialannex” to support Syria’s financial sector and reform its financialinstitutions. The initiative aims to build human capacity, enhancesustainability, and advance digital transformation across Syria’s financialsystem.

He also confirmed efforts to establish a global “knowledgecenter” to help Syrian investors form effective partnerships between the publicand private sectors.

Earlier, Central Bank of Syria Governor Abdul QaderHasriya told Shafaq News that steps are underway to enhance financialcooperation with Baghdad, clarifying that ongoing communication with theCentral Bank of Iraq includes plans to organize joint economic activities aimedat strengthening banking ties between the two countries.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar fell against the Iraqi dinar at Tuesday's closing inBaghdad and Erbil, according to Shafaq News correspondent.

At Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges in Baghdad, the dollar closed at153,500 IQD per $100, down from 153,700 IQD recorded at the morning session.

In local exchange shops across Baghdad, the selling price reached154,000 IQD per $100, while the buying price stood at 153,000 IQD.

In Erbil, the dollar also declined, with a selling price of 153,550 IQDper $100 and a buying price of 153,400 IQD per $100.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq on Tuesday raised the official selling price of Basrah Medium crude bound for Asia, its largest market accounting for about 70% of exports, by around $1.70 per barrel, as global oil prices surge.

Oil markets have risen amid the US-Israeli war on Iran and disruptions to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz following Tehran’s closure of the waterway, tightening global supply and pushing prices higher. Basrah Medium itself was trading near $119 per barrel.

OPEC data showed the crude’s average price jumped to $117.62 per barrel in March 2026 from $66.77 in February, an increase of $50.85 in a single month. The average price has reached $82.70 per barrel so far in 2026, compared with $75.88 in 2025, indicating a sustained upward trend in Iraqi crude prices.

OPEC’s reference basket also rose to about $107 per barrel in March from $67.19 in February, with Iraqi crude ranking among the higher-priced grades alongside Kuwait and Iran.

Shafaq News-Baghdad

Iraq'sstate-owned cement producer turned out more than 676,000 tons across its plantsin February and moved nearly as much —over 664,000 tons— to market withoutinterruption, the company's director general revealed Tuesday.

Awad Kazem Abd al-Amir noted that several plants recorded notable growth compared to 2025, with theKubaisa cement plant leading at 37%, followed by the Qaim plant at 17% and theSinjar plant at 14%. The Kubaisa plant, which produced more than 1.7 milliontonnes in 2025 and is approaching its planned annual capacity of 1.8 milliontonnes, was among the company's strongest performers.

The Februaryresults reflect the efforts of plant administrations and technical,engineering, and administrative staff, Abd al-Amir said, adding that thecompany is continuing to develop plant performance and expand productioncapacity in support of the national industry's role in achievingself-sufficiency.

The figurescome against the backdrop of a domestic cement market estimated at around 25million tonnes per year, driven by housing projects, oil-field infrastructure,and ongoing reconstruction needs across the country.

Shafaq News-Washington

Damascus ismoving to deepen financial cooperation with Baghdad, including plans for ajoint banking event, Syrian Central Bank Governor Abdul Qader al-Hasriya revealedon Tuesday.

In remarksto Shafaq News, al-Hasriya confirmed direct coordination between the CentralBank of Syria and the Central Bank of Iraq to organize a “Syrian-IraqiFinancial Sector Day,” to be held under the joint sponsorship of bothinstitutions.

Syrian officials,he added, are also considering an official visit to Baghdad to further developties.

Beyondfinance, Iraq and Syria have maintained cooperation across academia,private-sector partnerships, and official discussions on energy and watermanagement. Iraq has recently begun overland fuel oil exports to Syria, a stepthe Iraqi Oil Ministry said will support the national economy and boost staterevenues.

For ShafaqNews, Mostafa Hashem, Washington, DC.

Shafaq News-Baghdad/ Erbil

On Tuesday,gold prices hovered around 1.03 million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbilmarkets, according to a survey by Shafaq News Agency.

Gold prices onBaghdad's Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 1,033,000 IQD per mithqal(equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, andEuropean varieties, with a buying price of 1,029,000 IQD. The same gold hadsold for 1,025,000 IQD on Monday.

The sellingprice for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 1,003,000 IQD, with a buying price of999,000 IQD.

In jewelrystores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between1,035,000 and 1,045,000 IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 1,005,000 and 1,015,000IQD.

In Erbil,22-carat gold was sold at 1,090,000 IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1,040,000IQD, and 18-carat gold at 890,000 IQD.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar opened Tuesday’strading lower in Iraq, hovering around 154,000 dinars per 100 dollars.

According to a Shafaq News marketsurvey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 153,700dinars per 100 dollars, down from the previous session’s 154,150 dinars.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shopssold the dollar at 154,250 dinars and bought it at 153,250 dinars, while inErbil, selling prices stood at 154,000 dinars and buying prices at 153,900dinars.

Shafaq News-Basrah

Iraq’sBasrah crude climbed more than 2% on Tuesday, amid a decline in global oilmarkets.

Basrah Heavycrude rose by $2.48, or 2.16%, to $117.45 per barrel, while Basrah Medium crudegained by $2.48, or 2.12%, to settle at $119.55 per barrel.

Brentfutures slipped 76 cents, or 0.8%, to $98.57 by 0601 GMT, while US WestTexas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $1.63, or 1.65%, to stand at $97.45.