Customs Authority: The ASYCUDA System Enhances Fairness And Raises Revenues To 200 Billion Dinars
Money and Business Economy News – Baghdad The Customs Authority confirmed on Sunday that the ASYCUDA system currently in use in customs work calculates fees based on weight and number. While noting that the ASYCUDA system has increased revenues, it expects rates to increase in the coming period.
The head of the authority, Thamer Qasim, said that “the ASYCUDA issue depends on weight and number,” explaining that “some goods are measured by number when calculating the customs duty, while other materials depend on weight, as this requires more information about the goods.”
He pointed out that “the fixed fee was taken by a decision in 2014, which led to congestion in the port, as previously, regardless of its weight or contents, a fee of 3,000,000 dinars was paid for each container, but today the global customs system relies on weight and number in the demarcation.”
He added that “previously, a container and its contents were subject to a fee of 3,000,000 dinars, whether its value was $1,000,000 or the goods in the container were worth $10,000, which is not fair, unscientific, and internationally unacceptable.”
He explained that “the fixed fee was adopted during a period when work was done on paper and there was no automation system, and it was a temporary and ill-considered phase,” stressing that “there is no longer a need to adopt the fixed fee.”
He pointed out that “this type of fee is used in underdeveloped countries plagued by corruption and unable to control outlets that do not have an electronic system, and it also exposes the country to international criticism.”
He confirmed that “the volume of revenues achieved up to yesterday amounted to 200,000,000,000 dinars, with expectations of an increase in rates in the coming period,” noting “the renewal of procedures, and the creation of a fourth control yesterday at the Baba Mahmoud Customs Office adjacent to the Kurdistan Region.” https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65698
Integrity: High Level Of Cooperation And Coordination With The Ministry Of Interior And The Border Ports Authority To Close The Loopholes For Corrupt Individuals
Money and Business Economy News – Baghdad The Federal Integrity Commission stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Border Ports Authority, in order to tighten procedures and measures that would prevent perpetrators of corruption crimes from finding any safe havens.
The commission explained in a statement received by “Al-Eqtisad News” that “the legislation, procedures and mechanisms in place, as well as the relevant regional and international agreements and memoranda of understanding, represent fundamental pillars in confronting transnational corruption,” stressing “the importance of the Foreigners Residence Law No. (76 of 2017), and its pivotal role in controlling the entry of foreigners into the country, especially those suspected of committing corruption crimes or accused of them, as well as those who have a direct connection to those crimes.”
The commission emphasized “the importance of integrating roles between law enforcement and immigration authorities, and exchanging information between them, in order to prevent those involved in corruption crimes from obtaining entry visas, residency, or Iraqi citizenship.”
She added that “the coordination with the Ministry of Interior included discussing the mechanisms adopted in sending and receiving information related to the involvement of foreigners, and the challenges that hinder its exchange at the international level, as well as understanding the Ministry of Interior’s visions and proposals in this field, while emphasizing the need to maximize the benefit from international information networks, such as the (GLOBE) network, the Interpol organization and the (CARINK) network, as effective tools in closing the doors to those accused and convicted in corruption cases and preventing their infiltration into the country.” https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65704
Sudani Calls On Finnish Companies To Enter The Iraqi Market To Contribute To Reconstruction Efforts.
Money and Business Economy News – Baghdad Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called on Finnish companies on Sunday to enter the Iraqi market to contribute to reconstruction and development efforts.
A statement from his media office, received by “Al-Eqtisad News”, stated that “Al-Sudani received the Finnish Minister of Interior, Ms. Mari Rantainen, and her accompanying delegation to discuss ways to strengthen relations between the two countries in light of the convening of the Iraqi-Finnish Joint Committee meeting, which contributes to expanding areas of cooperation, especially in the developmental, economic and technological sectors, and exchanging experiences in the field of sustainable development.”
He stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations in various sectors, calling on Finnish companies to enter the Iraqi market to contribute to reconstruction and development campaigns through available investment opportunities, in addition to security cooperation in the field of training police forces and exchanging information, technology and modern techniques in the work of security agencies.
Al-Sudani pointed to Iraq’s supportive stance towards efforts to impose security and stability in the region and resolve conflicts through constructive dialogues, explaining that the transfer of ISIS terrorist prisoners from Syria to Iraq is an Iraqi decision aimed at preserving regional and international security, stressing the importance of the international community assuming its responsibilities and taking the foreign elements from ISIS terrorist prisoners and bringing them to justice.
For her part, the Finnish Minister of the Interior expressed her appreciation for the relations with Iraq, stressing her country’s interest in strengthening cooperation and its readiness to open new horizons in bilateral relations in areas of common interest. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65706
Iran: We Are Open To A Nuclear Deal If The US Discusses Lifting Sanctions.
Money and Business Economy News – Follow-up Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said in an interview with the BBC, published on Sunday, that Iran is prepared to consider making concessions to reach a nuclear agreement with the United States if the Americans show a willingness to discuss lifting sanctions.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to increase economic pressure on Iran, according to US officials who spoke to Axios.
Officials explained that this agreement was reached during the recent meeting between Trump and Netanyahu at the White House.
Officials indicated that the maximum pressure campaign would run concurrently with nuclear talks with Iran and the ongoing military buildup in the Middle East.
A new round of negotiations is scheduled to take place on Tuesday in Geneva, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US envoys Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner in attendance. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65695
Sudani’s Office: Iraq’s Remarkable Progress In The Corruption Perceptions Index Reflects The Government’s Will.
Money and Business Economy News – Baghdad The Media Office of the Prime Minister announced that Iraq has made significant progress in the results of the Corruption Perceptions Index issued on February 10, 2026 by Transparency International, compared to the 2025 ranking, in a step that reflects the government’s commitment to combating corruption and promoting the principles of transparency and integrity in state institutions.
The statement explained that this improvement in the international ranking embodies the government’s firm will to consolidate the principles of accountability and public sector governance, along with supporting oversight bodies and adopting structural reforms within the government program, which contributed to raising performance levels and enhancing confidence in public institutions.
He noted that the progress achieved was the result of continuous and comprehensive efforts led by the government, with the adoption of clear priorities in the field of combating corruption, and the implementation of practical measures to develop institutional performance and raise integrity standards in various sectors.
The statement affirmed that these results represent an incentive to redouble efforts in the coming years to maintain and build upon this progress, praising the role of public institutions that contributed, each according to its specialization, to achieving this accomplishment within the framework of administrative and financial reform in the country. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65696
Planning: Launching The (Donors Fund) Project To Support National Development Soon
Money and Business Economy News – Baghdad The Ministry of Planning intends to launch the (Donors Fund) project to support national development in the coming period, a step that comes within the framework of the five-year memorandum of cooperation signed between Iraq and the United Nations.
The ministry spokesman, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, told Al-Sabah, as reported by Al-Eqtisad News, that the project, which is included in the agreement that began in 2024 and will continue until 2029, aims to enhance national development efforts and support priority programs and projects.
Al-Hindawi stressed that launching the fund represents an important step towards unifying international support efforts, which contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening the partnership between Iraq and international organizations, in a way that serves the path of comprehensive development in the country in various sectors.
Al-Hindawi pointed out the importance of the Fund’s alignment with Iraq’s development vision and the national plan prepared in this regard, as well as its economic policies, in order to ensure that all projects that are funded have a tangible and beneficial impact on the economy and society in the country.
He considered the size of investments and the number of projects being implemented, and the job opportunities they provide, as important indicators that affect inflation rates, stressing that maintaining currency stability at good levels contributes to keeping inflation within its low rates, and that investment activity and good economic movement are reflected positively on job opportunities, and therefore on inflation levels.
The ministry spokesman stated that inflation is a tool for measuring and interpreting the economic reality, whether in cases of recession, inflation, or other economic indicators, explaining that the recorded decrease in inflation rates during 2025 is very low and limited in percentages, but it does not necessarily mean a direct decrease in the cost of living.
The living conditions in the country, compared to previous years, are relatively better, due to consumer confidence, the availability of basic materials in the markets at low or reasonable prices, in addition to support for the items on the ration card, as well as covering imports at the official dollar rate, which are factors that have contributed to easing the burdens on citizens’ livelihoods. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65684
