Baghdad: Advisers and economic experts said that, 100 days after its formation, the government has taken initial steps toward reforming the Iraqi economy and addressing challenges facing public finances, the banking sector and investment, noting that financial and banking understandings and external economic partnerships represent important indicators along this path.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Prime Minister’s Financial Adviser Mazhar Mohammed Saleh stated that Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s government, after 100 days in office, had chosen a different course in dealing with the economic, financial, security, and sovereign challenges facing Iraq, emphasizing that the government should not be assessed solely by the number of days it has been in office, but by the direction it chose from the outset. Saleh highlighted that the government assumed responsibility under complex circumstances, marked by an economy heavily reliant on oil and a legacy of administrative and financial challenges, along with issues related to corruption, security, sovereignty, and social pressures. These were treated as interconnected components of state-building and resource management.

Saleh further elaborated that the government has proposed reforms targeting economic structure by moving toward programme-based budgeting, reforming the banking sector, developing tax and customs systems, supporting the private sector, and introducing tools to finance development and investment. He stressed the importance of focusing on investment, energy, and infrastructure to diversify the economy, create a genuine labor market, and strengthen the middle class.

Economic and financial expert Safwan Qusay affirmed that the government had set ambitious goals to transform the Iraqi economy into a productive economy, activate partnerships, and build the state. He noted that the move toward the United States represents a comprehensive economic partnership. The success of the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States, persuading the White House to secure U.S. investments and strengthen confidence in the Iraqi economy, was highlighted.

Deputy Governor of Dhi Qar Salama Al-Sarheid praised the government’s steps in implementing the programme, especially in economic reform and service delivery. He expressed hope that these measures would produce tangible results, contributing to addressing citizens’ problems.

Economic expert Ahmed Abdurabuh pointed out that the government had made significant strides in economic and banking reform, noting successful understandings with the U.S. Treasury Department to rehabilitate Iraqi banks. He described the government’s economic performance during its first 100 days as effective crisis management and a cautious transition toward structural reform.