Baghdad- Iraq’s accession to the international transit system (TIR) and activating international transport operations in cooperation with the International Road Transport Federation (IRU) is a strategic step to support the state’s economy and enhance its commercial position.
The procedure aims to develop trade in The Middle East By activating the development road project, which will link southern Iraq to the north and provides a vital commercial passage that connects Asia and countries Gulf Cooperation Council Turkey And Europe.
Iraq’s joining the international transit system would reduce the transportation time of 80% and its costs by 38%. Initial experiences have shown the possibility of completing trips in less than a week, compared to several weeks through alternative shipping routes, which may open new horizons for Iraq in the field of international logistics and trade.
Ihab Talib, transit official at the General Authority of Iraqi Customs, expects that the international transit agreement will greatly strengthen the position of Iraq in the trade and transportation sectors, and to contribute to increasing revenues, as well as the possibility of facilitating customs procedures in all border centers through it.
After the recent implementation of the agreement, the commission received a transit trip from Poland heading to the Emirates, through Iraqi lands, according to a student to Al -Jazeera Net, pointing to effective coordination with the International Road Transport Federation and government agencies.
Talib added that the experimental operations showed the possibility of completing flights in less than a week compared to a minimum of 14 days across the Red Sea, or 26 days in the event that ships are forced to change their path around Africa (What has been happening since November 2023 with the expansion of a war circle Israel on Gaza Strip The Yemeni Houthi group threatened the Israeli ships).
He pointed out that the International Transit Convention operates under the supervision of the United Nations, and Iraq has signed it with the International Road Transport Federation, pointing out that the authority is currently working on the application of its provisions, as it previously made a pilot trip that was successful.
Talib said that the strategic and vital site of Iraq in the region makes it very qualified to benefit from this agreement, which will play an important role in enhancing its logistical position as a vital way to transport at the regional and global levels, stressing that this agreement will be a qualitative shift in the international classification of Iraq in the fields of transportation and logistics.
Shipping procedures
Engineer Muhmam Ammar Ibrahim – from the Transit Division of the Customs Authority – said that the process of receiving and treating one of the shipments of customs transit (transit) was completely carried out through the national transit platform developed by the National Data Center in the Prime Minister Council.
Ibrahim added to Al -Jazeera Net, “We were able to follow the shipment of the shipment accurately through the advanced tracking system integrated in the platform from the moment it entered Iraqi lands until its exit, which reflects the efficiency of the platform and its ability to provide a comprehensive vision of operations,” Ibrahim added to Al -Jazeera Net.
He continued, “We are now awaiting the reception of more processable charges through this advanced platform, which will contribute effectively to accelerating the movement of goods and facilitating transit trade.” It is expected that the activation of the international transit system in Iraq will reduce the transportation time by 80% and costs by 38%, which will achieve significant economic benefits and provide new job opportunities.
Ibrahim pointed to continuous development plans and procedures that the authority is working on to enhance the follow -up system and ensure the success of the experiment, stressing that there are permanent plans for the success of this experience and completing it in the simplest possible image, as these shipments will continue, which supports Iraq’s efforts to become a regional center for transit.
Strategic alternative
In turn, a member of the Finance Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, Moeen Al -Kazemi, stressed that the joining of Iraq to the International Transit Agreement represents a decisive introductory step for the development road project.
The development road is a huge Iraqi project launched on May 27, 2023, at an estimated cost of 17 billion dollars, extending 1,200 km, and starts from a port FAO Al -Kabeer in southern Iraq passes through several governorates and ends at the Fish Khabour crossing north on the Turkish border, and includes a land road and a double iron mark, and aims to connect Asia to Europe via Iraq.
Al -Kazemi expected Al -Jazeera Net to make the road of global trade development pass through a port FAO Al -Kabeer, then crossed the Fish Khabour crossing to Türkiye, to the port of Jihan, other ports in Bulgaria and European countries.
He added that “this road will be a strategy parallel to the Suez Canal, which will provide high economic returns for Iraq and reduce its dependence on oil and the rentier economy.”
He pointed out that these railways and railways will provide an opportunity to create factories in agreement with China And other countries, which will enable manufacturing inside Iraq and the arrival of products to Europe, and population gatherings will be established along the path of development.
On the other hand, Al -Kazemi stressed that this project “carries strategic security aspects at the global level, Iraq It must remain stable away from chaos and security targeting, and the interests of the countries of the world will be linked to its stability, this is an important and essential goal that must be strengthened more and more. “