Baghdad: The Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed that unifying the customs systems between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region represents an important strategic step within the path of economic and financial reform, due to its role in building a unified trade policy and enhancing the state's ability to manage its non-oil resources more efficiently. According to Iraqi News Agency, Saleh emphasized that the unification of customs systems is crucial for reducing cases of customs evasion. This reduction is primarily due to eliminating differences in procedures and tariffs between ports. Additionally, unifying databases related to import and export activities provides more accurate information to decision-makers, assisting in formulating more efficient economic and financial policies. Saleh noted the necessity of adopting unified electronic systems for collection and customs clearance, which would link all border crossings to a central database. This system would allo w for real-time tracking of goods movement and activate joint monitoring, auditing, and information exchange between the relevant authorities in the federal and regional governments. He further explained that unifying customs systems would support increasing non-oil revenues by expanding the customs base and reducing financial leakage. This measure would close loopholes that previously allowed for different fees or duplication of procedures, thereby contributing to greater fairness in collecting fees and taxes on imports. Consequently, this would positively impact public treasury resources and enhance the sustainability of government revenues, independent of oil price fluctuations. Saleh also highlighted that the effects of this step extend beyond increasing financial returns. In the medium term, it would improve the business environment, enhance investor confidence, and consolidate the principle of the unity of the Iraqi market. These pillars are deemed essential for the success of Iraq's economic reform a nd financial diversification program.