Latest news with #TIR
Iraq Business
26-03-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq Implements Global Transit System TIR from April
By John Lee. Iraq will implement the global transit system TIR from 1 April 2025, marking a significant step in enhancing logistics and international trade. According to state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) , the Border Ports Commission announced that the system will streamline cross-border transport, strengthening Iraq's position as a key trade hub in the Middle East. The TIR system is expected to play a crucial role in the Development Road project, linking southern and northern Iraq while providing an efficient trade corridor connecting Asia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Turkey, and Europe. Logistics firms are prepared to launch TIR operations from locations such as Mersin, Turkey, to Gulf countries via Umm Qasr Port. Initial trials indicate that the journey could be completed in under a week-compared to 14 days via the Red Sea or 26 days if ships reroute around Africa. Transport Minister Razzaq Muhibis Al-Saadawi highlighted that TIR implementation, supported by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and facilitated by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), will reduce transport times by 80% and costs by 38%, offering substantial economic benefits and job creation. Over the past two years, Iraq has developed its transport infrastructure to maximise TIR's impact on trade and the national economy. IRU Secretary-General Umberto de Pretto welcomed the initiative, stating that TIR has facilitated secure trade for nearly eight decades. He anticipates that Iraq's integration into the system will enhance regional economic connectivity and streamline freight movement. The system's electronic pre-declaration (TIR-EPD) will integrate with Iraq's Uruk platform, enabling cargo monitoring via GPS and enhancing security through regular checkpoints. TIR, governed by a United Nations convention and managed by IRU, is designed to ensure smooth, cost-effective, and secure international trade. In 2023, Iraq became the 78th country to accede to the United Nations TIR Convention . (Source: INA)
Iraqi News
12-02-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
MOT: Iraq is a distinguished international corridor for the countries of the region
Baghdad - INA Minister of Transport Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi confirmed today, Wednesday, that Iraq is a distinguished international corridor for the countries of the region. A statement by the ministry received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated: "Minister of Transport Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi met with the Secretary-General of the International Road Transport Union, Umberto de Pretto, to discuss the TIR project and ways to facilitate the inter-trade process, which is one of the most important drivers of the global economy." The statement added, "At the beginning of the meeting, which was attended by the head of the Parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee, Zahra Al-Bajari, and the Director General of Passengers and Delegations, Karim Kazem Hussein, the Minister expressed his thanks to the delegation of the International Road Transport Union, which included the Secretary-General of the Union, Umberto de Brito, the Director of Strategic Development, Vincent Erard, the Director of International Road Transport Services (TIR), Tatiana Re-Bellet, and the Union's Middle East Affairs Advisor, Rami Qarout, for their support for Iraq's accession procedures to the TIR Agreement, while he extended an invitation to the delegation to visit Baghdad and discuss joint cooperation." Al-Saadawi stressed - according to the statement - that "the Iraqi government, specifically the Ministry of Transport, is keen on the TIR project, as it is an important project at the level of international trade movement, and it is also reflected in the economies of the member states," noting that "Iraq enjoys a strategic location linking the East and the West, and therefore it is a distinctive international corridor for the countries of the region." He stressed Iraq's keenness to "implement the requirements of the agreement, in conjunction with the ongoing work on the development road project, which we seek to be one of the best global corridors for transporting goods, as it will be the least expensive and safest." In turn, Secretary-General Umberto de Pretto expressed his "thanks for the efforts of the Iraqi government to complete Iraq's accession to the International Land Union," considering that "approval for the passage of vehicles through Iraq is very important." He stressed that "expediting this process makes things better, adding that this project opens up broad horizons for Iraq," noting that "TIR facilitates the trade process by 50%, and ensures the passage of vehicles with ease, and the benefits resulting from it are greater, in light of the existence of enormous capabilities that enhance this." At the end of the meeting, the President of the International Union expressed his "admiration for the topics raised on the discussion table, especially the issue of the international visa, and the possibility of benefiting from Iraqi expertise in the success and organization of the TIR work system." It is noteworthy that the Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, participated yesterday, Tuesday, in the work of the 87th session of the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) held in Geneva; where he delivered Iraq's speech, in which he reviewed the government's projects regarding ways to enhance sustainable connectivity for regional inland transport, and enhance climate action for inland transport, which includes establishing concepts of climate justice, to reduce carbon emissions.
Iraq Business
09-02-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq Prepares for First Cross-Border TIR Operation
By John Lee. Iraq is set to conduct its first international transport under the global TIR transit system, marking a significant step towards trade modernisation. TIR is a global convention that streamlines procedures at borders, reducing the administrative burden for customs authorities and for transport and logistics companies. A delegation from the Swiss-based International Road Transport Union (IRU) visited Iraq last week, engaging with public and private sector stakeholders to advance the country's integration into internationally recognised customs procedures. A workshop was held to highlight the importance of UN conventions such as TIR and ADR, which facilitate efficient cross-border trade and improve transport safety. Discussions emphasised the need for regulatory frameworks and strong public-private partnerships to ensure smooth implementation. This milestone positions Iraq to enhance its role in regional and global trade through improved efficiency and security in road transport. See our Comprehensive Guide to Logistics in Iraq here. (Source: IRU)
Iraqi News
05-02-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq is heading to implement the first historical transfer operation through the international (TIR) system
Baghdad-INA The International Road Transport Union (IRU) announced during its visit last week that Iraq is heading towards implementing the first historic transport operation through the international road transport system (TIR). The union stated in a statement, followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "a delegation from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) visited Iraq last week to lay the foundation for the first cross-border transport movement in the country within the international road transport system (TIR). It explained that "Iraq is close to achieving a historic achievement in cross-border trade, as the first transport operation under the umbrella of the international road transport system is expected to take place soon, as this event represents a turning point for the country and a major step towards full integration into the recognized international system for customs transit." It added that "during the past week, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) held key discussions with stakeholders in the public and private sectors, reinforcing Iraq's commitment to modernizing the trade sector and adopting international best practices." It pointed out that "a specialized workshop was organized during the visit, focusing on the importance of international agreements of the United Nations, such as the TIR Convention and the European Convention on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. Experts highlighted the vital role of these agreements in simplifying cross-border trade, enhancing trade security, and reducing road accidents. Discussions also addressed the importance of professional excellence in the land transport sector and developing strong regulatory frameworks to support it." The statement continued that "cooperation between the public and private sectors was one of the main themes of the meetings, as its essential role in achieving these goals was emphasized," noting that "effective coordination between government authorities and the private sector is a crucial factor in ensuring the smooth implementation of the TIR Convention and the European Convention on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, which enhances Iraq's position in regional and global trade." It concluded that "as Iraq prepares for this achievement, it stands on the threshold of a new era in the field of transport and international trade, as it adopts global best practices to enhance efficiency, security, and economic growth."
Iraqi News
05-02-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq to launch first-ever International Road Transport operation
Baghdad ( – A delegation from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) visited Iraq last week to establish the framework for the country's first cross-border transit under the International Road Transport (TIR) transit system. With its first TIR movement anticipated soon, Iraq is poised to reach a significant milestone in cross-border trade, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the IRU. The step represents an important step toward complete integration into the globally recognized customs transit system and a historic milestone for the country. The IRU reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to modernizing trade and implementing global best practices during important talks with parties involved in the public and private sectors last week. As the only worldwide transit system, TIR permits the shipment of commodities in sealed load compartments under customs supervision from a country of origin to a country of destination through a multilateral and mutually recognized system. A special workshop was held with an emphasis on the significance of UN agreements including the Treaty on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). Specialists emphasized how important the conventions are for improving trade security, lowering traffic accidents, and expediting cross-border trade. The necessity of professional competence in road transport and the creation of strong regulatory frameworks were further highlighted in the discussions. Iraq's position in regional and international commerce will be strengthened if government officials and the business sector work together effectively to ensure that TIR and ADR are implemented smoothly.
