Iraq unites customs procedures with Kurdistan Region

by **claud39** Fri Nov 23, 2018 4:41 pm

http://www.uabonline.org/en/news/arabicnews/15751604159315851575160216101608158116171583157516/57823/0

Iraq unites customs procedures with Kurdistan Region

23/11/2018

Iraq unites customs procedures with Kurdistan Region Rc_154295700228_23

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi announced that his country will unify customs procedures in all its border areas, including in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, in reference to the further warmth of relations between Baghdad and Erbil after the resumption of oil flows from Kirkuk.
Abdul Mahdi said during a press conference that «the decision will be applied after the government reached the Union in Baghdad to agree on the procedure with the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq». He pointed out that «unified procedures will make the transport of goods and imported commodities easier».

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) currently charges customs duties on imported goods in border areas controlled by the Iraqi government, which Baghdad considers illegal. On the other hand, Baghdad is imposing more duties on commodities originating from the border areas under Kurdish control. Traders view duplication as a burden.
Abdul Mahdi said he would meet Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani, who was due to visit Baghdad on Monday. Barzani quit as head of the region after a failed bid for independence but remains the leader of the largest party in the region.

Abdul-Mahdi said that the meeting with Barzani will discuss relations between Erbil and Baghdad and important issues will strengthen relations between the parties, stressing the desire to help the region and its inhabitants. But ruled out the issue of oil. Iraq resumed last weekend oil exports from Kirkuk, which stopped a year ago because of a dispute with Erbil after the referendum.