World | stock exchange Soaring Iraq Stock Market Gets Electronic Trading Booming exchange will do away with writing prices on whiteboards By Jason Farago Posted Mar 27, 2009 9:38 AM CDT Copied Iraqis stock traders write on a stock exchange board, in Baghdad, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) Stock traders in Baghdad are preparing for a bonanza: the introduction of electronic trading, which will replace the current system of writing prices on whiteboards, reports the Times of London. Iraq's market has risen 30% this year as improved security and dirt-cheap prices—the most expensive stock costs about 9 cents a share—have let investors cash in. The tech revolution can only help. Currently the Iraqi stock exchange is open for only 6 hours a week, and trades take 2 weeks to complete. Electronic trading is expected to boost prices and increase liquidity, and the market may soon be able to remain open 24 hours a day. The CEO of the exchange says the market will expand in both size and value: "I believe in one or two years I will have more than 200 listed companies." Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. Supreme Court ruling is a big blow to Planned Parenthood. Report an error