Gold prices remain volatile as they fluctuate between recovering this year’s losses and returning to an upward trend. The price of an ounce of gold closed at $4,538 and reached that level again at the market opening.

Begard Talabani, the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, announced that the ministry’s new strategy focuses on marketing local produce. This is being achieved through the organization of the agricultural calendar and the export of surplus production to central and southern Iraq, as well as foreign countries.

The Ibrahim Khalil customs border crossing is scheduled to begin operating using the ASYCUDA system early this month, linking it directly to Iraq’s central border ports authorities in Baghdad.

The Iraqi Tourism Board has deployed monitoring teams at checkpoints between Iraqi provinces and the Kurdistan Region to prevent the activities of fake tourism companies. Official companies found violating regulations may face fines of up to 500,000 dinars.

The impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has begun to affect the Kurdistan Region, with the cost of importing goods and materials rising sharply.