Baghdad: At the Finance Committee meeting, Speaker of Parliament Haibat al-Halbousi highlighted the need for unifying customs tariffs and implementing the ASYCUDA system to increase non-oil revenues. Al-Halbousi stressed the importance of collaboration between the Finance Committee and relevant authorities to review and amend necessary legislation, reflecting the current financial situation's demands.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during his participation in the Parliamentary Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, al-Halbousi emphasized the need for a consistent customs tariff system across all governorates and support for domestic products to boost non-oil revenues. The committee listened to a presentation by Thamer Qasim Dawood, Director General of the General Authority of Customs, who discussed the Authority's operations and the revenue collected from customs duties from 2023 to 2025. Dawood highlighted the effectiveness of the ASYCUDA system in generating substantial financial returns and shared insights on customs exemptions, tariffs, and licensing round contracts.

The Finance Committee requested official written responses for further review and expressed a need to examine exceptions to certain exemptions. Additionally, the committee plans to review the Customs Law and related legislation for potential amendments. Abbas Shehab Ahmed, Director of the Real Estate Bank, provided an overview of the bank's operational mechanisms and highlighted the success of the Central Bank's housing loan initiative. He discussed the economic benefits of financing residential complexes and their contribution to stimulating economic activity and creating jobs.

The Finance Committee underscored the importance of expanding housing loan offerings, both within and outside residential complexes, to better serve citizens. Discussions also covered the available funds within the housing initiative and the criteria for implementing investment projects.