Iraq regains its pivotal position in global trade
Iraq regains its pivotal position in global trade
2025/12/09
Baghdad: Shukran Al-Fatlawi
Economic experts and researchers praised Iraq’s significant growth in international trade indicators across its territory, noting that the International Road Transport Union (IRU) confirmed a major Iraqi leap in the speed of international trade transit through the TIR system, significantly shortening the time. They emphasized that these achievements were made possible thanks to the government’s clear interest in land routes and strategic infrastructure.
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) confirmed that Iraq has made a significant leap in transit speed through the TIR system for international trade, indicating that “Iraq has become a growing strategic transit hub after its success in reducing the time for transporting equipment from Hungary to Jordan from five weeks to only six days,” taking advantage of the Iraqi international road that was recently reopened to commercial transport within the international customs transit system TIR.
natural wealth
Economic expert Dr. Adnan Bahya described Iraq as “the heart of the Middle East,” explaining that it lies on the shortest route connecting Asia and Europe, without complex natural obstacles. In an interview with Al-Sabah newspaper, Bahya added that the country’s location grants it abundant natural resources, adding to its existing wealth, but stressed that developing and stimulating these resources requires further effort.
International transit trade
Bahia explained that the incentive is achieved through legislation, laws and instructions that facilitate the process of trade through Iraq, transit, internal trade, control of ports, sustainability and support of services, in the field of international trade crossing Iraqi lands, stressing the need to speed up the completion of the development road due to its utmost importance, and to complete the other facilities related to the Grand Faw Port and find means of attraction and media marketing to introduce what the country offers in terms of services and facilities for goods.
Security and political situation
For his part, economic researcher Imad Al-Muhammadawi pointed out that, as a result of Iraq’s unique geographical location linking Asia, Europe and the Gulf, the country has regained its geographical importance, especially after the clear attention given to land routes and strategic infrastructure, as well as the stability of security and political conditions, which enabled it to regain its vital role.
Al-Muhammadi told Al-Sabah: “The most important and prominent manifestations of the transformation are represented in the development road project that links the Grand Faw Port to the Turkish border and then to Europe, indicating that the project will transform the country into a major hub in global supply chains, and will be a competitor to other maritime routes and paths.”
New Horizons
The spokesman added that trade through Iraqi territory provides a range of economic advantages, foremost among them getting rid of the one-sided rentier economy, through the money obtained from fees and customs clearance, as well as solving the unemployment problem by benefiting from labor in the fields of transportation and storage, and many jobs related to port logistics, not to mention the establishment of industrial cities and the advantages that accompany them.
Transport and exchange movement
Al-Muhammadi noted that there are some challenges that must be addressed in order to benefit from the distinguished geographical location, which is a long-term economic opportunity. He pointed out that among the challenges are the establishment and development of roads and railways and securing them optimally, as well as automating customs procedures, managing them rationally, reducing bureaucracy, speeding up procedures, and enacting laws that attract international investment rather than repel it.
Growth of international trade
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani praised the performance of government agencies and relevant ministries, following the significant growth achieved in the field of international land trade crossing Iraqi territory.
He pointed out that the growth of trade, transport and regional and international exchange through the Iraqi road network is evidence of Iraq’s commitment to modernizing the trade sector and adopting international practices, and confirms the continuation of completing major strategic projects, most notably the development road, and the real and increasing feasibility of adopting the international customs transit system TIR, and activating the Border Ports Authority with the required systems and facilities in partnership with the International Road Transport Union.
He stressed the need for the departments and institutions concerned with modernization, automation and the use of digital technology to proceed, so that Iraq can play its full vital and central role in global trade, which will benefit local development, create job opportunities and maximize the non-oil economy.
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