The Kurdistan Region's Council of Ministers on Wednesday reaffirmed its support for the agreement reached between Erbil and Baghdad on the implementation of the ASYCUDA customs system, while also approving an increase in the minimum pension for insured workers to 500,000 Iraqi dinars.

The decisions were taken during the cabinet's weekly meeting, where ministers discussed customs coordination with the federal government and social security reforms.

High-Level Delegation to Visit Baghdad

The Council of Ministers said it supports the joint minutes agreed upon by the customs authorities of the Kurdistan Region and the federal government regarding the ASYCUDA system, an international customs management platform aimed at modernizing customs procedures and increasing revenues.

The cabinet instructed relevant ministries and institutions to coordinate with their federal counterparts in preparation for the final approval of the agreement by the Ministerial Council for Economy.

A high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Region is expected to visit Baghdad next week to advance discussions and facilitate the implementation of the understanding.

Call for Swift Approval

The Kurdistan government urged the federal authorities to expedite approval of the agreement, saying its implementation would contribute to increasing public revenues and improving institutional organization within the constitutional framework governing relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

Officials believe the customs agreement could help streamline trade procedures, strengthen revenue collection and improve coordination between the two administrations.

Minimum Worker Pension Raised

The cabinet also reviewed developments related to the social security system for workers.

According to the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, the number of insured projects has reached 64,000, while approximately 320,000 workers have been registered under the social insurance system.

During the meeting, the minister proposed increasing the minimum pension for workers to 500,000 dinars per month. The proposal received unanimous approval from the Council of Ministers.

The move is aimed at strengthening social protection for workers and improving pension benefits for insured employees across the Kurdistan Region.