Baghdad: Prime Minister, Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani affirmed the importance of keeping pace with rapid technological developments in the management of Iraq’s border crossings, noting that government measures and cabinet decisions have contributed to significant achievements in this sector.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during his visit to the Border Crossings Authority today, Al-Sudani stated: ‘There are internal and external parties that do not welcome any form of regulatory order at the crossings. This requires us to adopt clear and deliberate measures that ensure the achievement of our set goals,’ pointing out that ‘even the most advanced countries in the world face challenges in managing their borders.’

He explained that Iraq’s border crossings have unique characteristics due to political, organizational, and legislative considerations. Al-Sudani stressed the necessity of automation and the implementation of electronic governance systems in all regulatory procedures, emphasizing that ‘technological progress is accelerating, and we must keep pace with it in the work of the crossings.’

The Prime Minister revealed that Iraq’s imports exceed $70 billion annually, according to estimates by the Ministries of Trade and Planning, stressing that such volumes should generate clear and substantial revenues. He added that the government’s program aims to achieve 20% of revenues from non-oil sources, describing this target as ‘the gateway to success through the border crossings.’

Al-Sudani further noted that non-oil revenues will positively impact the health, education, and housing sectors, protect domestic production, and contribute to the development of agriculture, industry, and other economic activities.

He also underscored the need to compare the Central Bank’s sales of foreign currency with the transfers provided to banks and traders for imports, and to match them against collected customs fees, indicating that this mechanism will take effect on December 1.