The Head of the Iraqi Border Ports Commission has unveiled a new strategic plan aimed at fully unifying customs procedures across the country.

He emphasized that the initiative will ultimately lead to the removal of internal checkpoints operating between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

Unifying Customs Procedures and Removing Checkpoints

Lieutenant General Omar al-Waeli, Head of the Iraqi Border Ports Commission, announced during a panel discussion at the Delphi Economic Forum Slemani that substantial progress and mutual understandings have recently been reached.

These agreements focus on standardizing customs tariffs and integrating pre-import inspection protocols for all cargo shipments arriving in Iraq.

Al-Waeli stressed that the Commission applies a unified regulatory standard across all entry points, treating border crossings in the Kurdistan Region and the rest of federal Iraq equally. He further noted that maintaining internal checkpoints between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq is an anomaly.

Consequently, once customs tariffs and regulatory procedures are fully harmonized, these checkpoints will no longer serve an operational purpose and will be removed.

Economic Vision and Expanding Trade

He stated that high-level administrative coordination has advanced significantly following the formation of the current cabinet.

This progress is driven by the Prime Minister's economic vision and a ministerial team focused on increasing non-oil revenues, expanding national industries, and accelerating investment.

Al-Waeli explained that Iraq's strategic geographical position must be fully leveraged, particularly to ensure the success of the Development Road project. He added that the Commission has actively worked to increase the volume of commercial trade with neighboring countries.

Border Security and Crossing Operations

Al-Waeli reiterated that border security remains a key priority for both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. He maintained that the Border Guard Forces Command, the Ministry of Interior, and the Border Ports Commission must exercise full control over all national borders.

He added that border crossings should serve as bridges that strengthen integration between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad rather than barriers that create division.

Addressing wider regional challenges, al-Waeli said the Iraqi government has mobilized key border crossings, including Safwan, Arar, and al-Qaim, to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential goods and commodities.

He concluded by revealing that the Commission has recently focused heavily on activating the Rabia border crossing.