Iraq's PM Ziyadi appoints new heads for Trade Bank and Development Fund

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Prime Minister Ali Ziyadi has appointed Ali Abd Rida al-Alewan as president of the Iraq Trade Bank and Bilal al-Hamdani as director general of the Iraq Development Fund, according to a source in Baghdad. The source, who spoke on condition of being identified, said the two appointments were announced on Wednesday. No reason was given for the leadership changes at the two state-run financial institutions, and further details were not immediately available. The Trade Bank of Iraq serves as the country's main foreign trade financing vehicle, while the Iraq Development Fund channels public investment toward infrastructure and reconstruction projects. Both officials are expected to assume their new roles in the coming days, according to the source. The Prime Minister's Office has not publicly commented on the appointments.