For full text of the paper including end-of-paper tables and appendix, click PDF file Synopsis A set of macroeconomic, development and social issues is taken-up in this paper. The argument starts from the fact that a construction boom is forthcoming, which is initiated and fuelled by sizable investment programmes. This is bound to raise important policy issues and unleash a hos
Read MoreFor full text of the paper including end-of-paper tables and appendix, click PDF file. Abstract The paper, first, looks at the multifaceted benchmarks that have been included in the various international arrangements with Iraq, post 2003, as conditions for aid and debt reduction. It is noted that for non-Paris Club debt the fulfillment of these benchmarks is only a ne
Read MoreDownload whole text as PDF file I. Inflationary trends: 2003-2009 Since 2003 domestic fuel price changes have played important role in accelerating and then dampening inflation in Iraq; from a prime pusher upward in 2002-2007 (acute shortages of fuel), to the prime puller downward, in 2008/2009 (easing of shortages). Before analyzing the role of fuel, however, let us first look
Read MoreDownload the whole document as PDF file External debt Although various estimates and figures are being published and exchanged the stock of external debt is not precisely known. Moreover, as it had not been serviced since its inception the added capitalisation of accumulated interest is also problematic. Furthermore, much of the Gulf countries’ debt took the form of tran
Read MoreDownload the whole document as PDF file Abstract Economic and social policy set as a unified and coordinated package had been formulated within agreements between the Iraqi government and the United Nations, World Bank and the IMF; mainly through the International Compact with Iraq and Standby arrangements. A host of policies/measures, institutional changes and benchmarks, incl
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