Iraq considers transferring state assets to Central Bank to settle debts

Economic expert Ziad Al-Hashimi has warned against the Iraqi government's plan to settle accumulated debts to the Central Bank of Iraq by transferring ownership of state properties and real estate to the bank. Al-Hashimi argues that this approach does not solve the underlying financial crisis but merely defers it, leading to a dangerous depletion of irreplaceable sovereign assets to cover current operational expenses such as wages and salaries.

He expressed concerns that these assets might be undervalued or transferred through political influence and patronage. The warning comes as Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi develops an economic plan that includes selling state assets, including approximately 1,000 facilities and palaces formerly belonging to Saddam Hussein, to address a major financial crisis threatening the country's ability to meet operational obligations.