Prime Minister: We have taken measures to link financial transfers to outlets.
Prime Minister: We have taken measures to link financial transfers to outlets.
2025-08-26
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani revealed, on Tuesday, a new mechanism for foreign currency that will be implemented on December 1st. The Prime Minister’s media office said in a statement, “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visited the headquarters of the Border Ports Authority today, Tuesday, where he met via video conference with the directors of the ports, in the presence of the head of the Ports Authority, the general managers, and the advisors.” It indicated that “the Prime Minister toured the headquarters of the Authority and was informed in detail of the procedures implemented within each port. He also listened to a briefing by the head of the Authority on the work mechanisms at the ports.”
Al-Sudani stressed that “this visit comes within the context of monitoring the work of the border crossings, which represent a necessity for our dear country in all political, security, commercial and economic fields,” noting that “security in general, especially drug and food security, is linked to the work of the Border Crossings Authority.” He also explained that “the crossings were one of the files that indicated disorganization, negative practices and weaknesses of the state due to cases of corruption and smuggling,” stressing that “the government took real measures and structural reforms, including the ASYCUDA system, which prepared the ground for working differently.”
He continued, “The Authority’s procedures and Cabinet decisions have contributed to the achievements made at the border crossings, and we have great hope that these achievements will continue and grow.” He noted that “there are internal and external parties that are not satisfied with any organizational situation at the border crossings.”
He added, “We must define our procedures and steps in a way that achieves the set goals,” explaining that “the most developed countries in the world suffer from problems at border crossings.”
He stated that “Iraq’s ports are unique for several reasons, including political, regulatory, and legislative considerations,” noting “the importance of automation and e-governance in various control procedures at ports. Technological development is accelerating and must be kept pace with it in our work.”
He also explained that “the ports are linked to a primary government objective, which is to maximize revenues,” explaining that “there are imports exceeding $70 billion, according to estimates from the Ministries of Trade and Planning, and there are supposed to be significant and clear revenues.”
He stressed that “our government has set a target of 20% of non-oil revenues in its government program, as they represent the gateway to success through border crossings,” noting that “non-oil revenues will benefit the health, education, and housing sectors, protect national production, and contribute to the development of the agriculture and industry sectors, among other activities.”
He continued, “We have taken a series of measures in the field of financial transfers and linked them to the work of ports,” stressing the “need for a comparison between the foreign currency sold by the Central Bank and the transfers it gives to banks and merchants for imports, and matching them with the collection of fees. This mechanism will be implemented on December 1st.”
He stressed the “need for cooperation between the Ports Authority, regulatory bodies, relevant departments, and the judiciary,” noting that “the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control at the Ministry of Planning is an important, fundamental partner for border crossings.”
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