Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Parallel market exchange rates for the U.S. dollar kicked off the trading week on an upward trajectory, advancing across major wholesale bourses and local retail outlets in both Baghdad and Erbil during Saturday morning sessions.

The fresh gains mark a continuation of upward pressure on the greenback, widening the gap even further beyond the official rate set by the Central Bank of Iraq.

In the federal capital, wholesale trading across the twin exchange hubs of Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya saw the dollar climb to 156,350 dinars per $100, up from the 156,000 dinar mark recorded at the close of trade this past Thursday.

This wholesale uptick quickly filtered down to retail currency shops in local Baghdad markets, where storefront selling rates reached 156,750 dinars per $100, against a buying rate of 155,750 dinars.

The northern commercial hub mirrored this upward pace as trading got underway in Erbil. Currency bourses in the regional capital quoted retail selling rates at 156,350 dinars for every $100, with buying transactions holding closely behind at 156,250 dinars, reflecting tight local spreads amid steady morning demand.