Latest news with #Salihi
Rudaw Net
06-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Baghdad, Erbil reach agreement to revive stalled trade
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government have agreed to extend deadlines for cargo transfers and warehouse storage, a top border official told Rudaw on Tuesday. The move aims to ease weeks of disrupted trade between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq. 'In a meeting between the technical teams of the border crossings from both the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Baghdad government, an agreement was reached on four points that will open the door for the export of goods,' Omar al-Waeli, head of Iraq's Border Crossing Authority, said. The agreement extends the time limit for transporting goods from the Kurdistan Region to federal checkpoints from 72 hours to one week. It also doubles the permitted storage time in warehouses from 60 to 120 days. Additionally, goods stored since April 15 are now authorized for delivery to Baghdad-controlled areas, and all trucks must be equipped with customs seals. The deal comes after Baghdad implemented new trade regulations in April requiring that only trucks with QR-coded customs seals may enter federal Iraq, according to Maysam Bolani, head advisor to the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce. Bolani then told Rudaw that under these rules, shipments must remain sealed and be delivered within 72 hours between the Kurdistan Region's Duhok province and the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Of note, a customs seal is a stamp affixed to goods imported through the Kurdistan Region's border crossings with Turkey and Iran, which must remain unbroken until the cargo reaches federal checkpoints. Baghdad's regulations followed a March 11 directive issued by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) and applied to all shipments entering from Turkey and Iran via the Kurdistan Region's borders. Transit permits for trucks transporting goods from the Kurdistan Region to federal provinces expired in mid-April, leading to warehouse shortages and increased concern among traders. Around that time, Mustafa Sheikh Abdulrahman, head of the Kurdistan Importers and Exporters Union, told Rudaw that the new restrictions had led to the depletion of many storage facilities in the Region. Notably, a prominent Turkmen politician representing Kirkuk in the Iraqi parliament, Arshad al-Salihi, warned on Saturday that new federal trade restrictions on shipments from the Kurdistan Region could lead to empty markets in Kirkuk and Mosul. In a video message posted on his Facebook page, Salihi stated, 'Traders across Iraq in general and traders of Kirkuk and Mosul in part, are caught in the crosshairs of the dispute between the [Kurdistan] Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government [of Iraq].' 'Please sideline the ordinary citizen from your conflicts as they are the ones who lose the most,' Salihi stated addressing Erbil and Baghdad, stressing, 'Enough disputes!'
Rudaw Net
04-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Turkmen MP urges end to Baghdad-Erbil trade restrictions, warns of empty markets
Also in Iraq Iraq apprehends two escaped prisoners Kirkuk Provincial Council has not sat for 3 months Iraq completes seismic surveys at Khanaqin oil field Baghdad moves to curb Iranian opposition groups in Kurdistan: Iran media A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A prominent Turkmen politician representing Kirkuk in the Iraqi parliament, Arshad al-Salihi, warned on Saturday that new federal trade restrictions on shipments from the Kurdistan Region could lead to empty markets in Kirkuk and Mosul. In a video message posted on his Facebook page, Salihi stated, 'Traders across Iraq in general and traders of Kirkuk and Mosul in part, are caught in the crosshairs of the dispute between the [Kurdistan] Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government [of Iraq].' Addressing Erbil and Baghdad, the lawmaker urged, 'Please sideline the ordinary citizen from your conflicts as they are the ones who lose the most,' adding, 'Enough disputes!' Head of advisors for the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, Maysam Bolani, told Rudaw in early April that new regulations by Baghdad mandat that only trucks with QR-coded customs seals can enter federal Iraq. Shipments must remain sealed and be delivered within 72 hours between the Kurdistan Region's Duhok province and the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, she explained. This policy follows a March 11 directive from the Central Bank of Iraq and applies to shipments from Turkey and Iran via Kurdistan Region's border crossings, according to Bolani. Transit permits for trucks carrying goods from the Kurdistan Region to other parts of Iraq expired on April 15. Speaking to Rudaw in April, an advisor to the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Salahuddin Ahmed, noted that the new regulations violate Article 24 of the Iraqi constitution, which guarantees the free movement of goods between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq. Around that time, the head of the Kurdistan Importers and Exporters Union, Mustafa Sheikh Abdulrahman, told Rudaw that this policy has led to the depletion of many warehouses in the Kurdistan Region. In April as well, an official from the Erbil Chamber of Commerce, who spoke to Rudaw on condition of anonymity, stated that the restrictions also apply to locally produced goods, further exacerbating the situation.
Muscat Daily
17-02-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman to take centre stage at Gulfood 2025 in UAE
Muscat – The Sultanate of Oman is participating in the Gulfood 2025 exhibition, one of the world's largest food and hospitality events, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with over 129 countries taking part. The five-day event provides a platform for Omani companies and factories in the food industry sector to expand their market reach and enhance international business opportunities. Oman's pavilion at the exhibition is represented by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development. The participation aims to promote Omani food products globally, attract foreign investments, and boost the local industry's competitiveness. Khalid bin Sulaiman al Salihi, Director General of Marketing and Commercial Affairs at Madayn, highlighted the significance of Oman's presence at Gulfood 2025, stating: 'The participation provides a qualitative addition to attracting and localising foreign investments in Oman. As part of this, we have organised an event focusing on the advantages of investing in the food industries sector in our industrial cities, targeting CEOs, investors, and industry leaders.' A discussion session featuring Omani and international experts will also be held on the sidelines of the event, addressing strategies to enhance food security and foster innovation in sustainable solutions for the future. Additionally, Madayn, in coordination with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, has facilitated networking opportunities for Omani entrepreneurs not directly exhibiting at Gulfood 2025. A dedicated platform has also been provided for graduates of the 'Industrial Innovation Specialist' programme in the food and beverage sector, implemented at the industrial cities of Sur and Raysut. Salihi emphasised that Oman's participation in Gulfood 2025 is an invaluable opportunity to showcase the high quality of Omani food products and to secure new markets. He noted that demand for Omani products has steadily increased in recent years, reflecting their growing reputation in regional and international markets.
