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Iraq Business
3 days ago
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq Lifts Ban on Imports of E-Cigarettes, Tobacco
By John Lee. The Iraqi Council of Ministers has approved a request by the Ministry of Health to lift the ban on importing electronic cigarettes, electronic hookahs, and tobacco products, provided that all imports comply with the country's Anti-Smoking Law (No. 19 of 2012). Under the new policy, the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control will develop technical standards for these goods. The Iraqi Customs Authority will determine customs valuation, while commercial attachés abroad will authenticate certificates of origin and invoices, allowing these imports to be integrated directly into Iraq's national system without the need for secondary verification. This decision is expected to streamline import procedures and support regulatory oversight of tobacco-related products in the country. (Source: PMO)
Egypt Today
30-01-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt, Iraq strengthen bilateral ties with 12 cooperation agreements
CAIRO – 30 January 2025: Egypt and Iraq have taken a significant step in enhancing their partnership by signing 12 cooperation agreements during an expanded session of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee. These agreements mark a new phase of collaboration across multiple sectors, fostering economic, cultural, and infrastructural development between the two nations. The first agreement lays the foundation for cooperation in local development, focusing on governance and urban planning. The second agreement is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on standardization and quality control, signed between Iraq's Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control and Egypt's General Authority for Standards and Quality, aiming to align technical standards and regulatory frameworks. The third MoU promotes collaboration in grain storage and silo management, signed between Egypt's Holding Company for Silos and Storage and Iraq's State Company for Grain Trade, with the goal of exchanging expertise in building, operating, and maintaining grain silos. The fourth agreement focuses on land transportation, improving the movement of passengers and goods between the two countries through cooperation between their respective Ministries of Transport. The fifth MoU enhances cultural exchange between Egypt's Ministry of Culture, National Library, and Archives, and Iraq's Ministry of Culture, House of Books, and Documents, fostering efforts in document preservation and cultural heritage sharing. The sixth document strengthens cooperation in archaeology and museum development, signed between Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and Iraq's General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage, with a focus on heritage conservation and expertise exchange. The seventh agreement establishes an executive program for cultural cooperation between 2025 and 2027, reinforcing long-term cultural collaboration between the Egyptian and Iraqi Ministries of Culture. The eighth MoU facilitates urban development cooperation, fostering ties between Baghdad Municipality and Cairo Governorate, with an emphasis on municipal services, planning, and infrastructure enhancement. The ninth agreement advances financial market regulation, signed between Iraq's Securities Commission and Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority, aiming to enhance oversight and supervision of financial markets. The tenth MoU boosts collaboration in telecommunications and information technology, signed between Iraq's Communications and Media Commission and Egypt's National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, supporting digital transformation efforts. The eleventh agreement strengthens trade relations and economic cooperation, signed between the Egyptian Federation of Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, promoting investment opportunities and business partnerships. The twelfth and final MoU focuses on competition protection and anti-monopoly policies, signed between Egypt's Competition Protection Authority and Iraq's Competition and Anti-Monopoly Council, to ensure fair market competition and prevent monopolistic practices. The session concluded with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani formally signing the minutes of the third session of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee, reaffirming both countries' commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and fostering sustainable development.
