Iraq announces implementation of “automation” system at its border crossings
Iraq announces implementation of “automation” system at its border crossings
2024-12-31 05:27
Shafaq News / The Prime Minister’s Media Office announced on Tuesday the completion of the infrastructure to link all border crossings, by starting to use the automation system to facilitate the entry of goods.
The office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, ” In implementation of the directives of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, related to administrative and financial reform, which is included among the priorities of the government program, a special meeting was held in the Prime Minister’s Office headed by the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Border Customs and Ports Affairs, where the procedures related to the governance of border ports and customs systems were discussed.”
He added that ” the meeting witnessed the announcement of the completion of the necessary infrastructure to link all border crossings with the latest technologies, and the start of using modern automation systems to facilitate the entry of goods into border crossings and monitor them centrally. It was also agreed to implement the global ASYCUDA system to automate customs operations, enhanced with electronic payment services starting from January 1, 2025.”
He added, “This step will contribute to achieving automation in ministries and institutions, including the e-government project, and providing electronic payment services, which will contribute to enhancing transparency and accountability, simplifying procedures, facilitating services, and reducing bureaucratic obstacles, in addition to establishing good governance and combating corruption.”
It is noteworthy that earlier, the Customs Authority announced the successful implementation of the “ASYCUDA” system in four centers on a trial basis, while the Ministry of Finance announced the opening of courses for traders, import companies, and export agents in order to gain experience in dealing with this system.
Iraq has more than 20 land ports with Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia, in addition to four seaports on the Gulf waters in Basra Governorate in the south of the country. The total volume of trade exchange in all ports is estimated at more than 60 billion dollars annually, according to economic research and studies.
shafaq.com
