Iraq to automate border gates’ operations

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s General Customs Authority, in partnership with the United Nations, has made significant progress in digitizing the country’s border gates, aiming to streamline operations and combat corruption.

Firas Obeidi, the director of the Border Gates Automation and Modernization Project at the General Customs Authority, said that under this partnership, the U.N. will support Iraq in automating and modernizing its border gates, marking a significant step towards efficiency and transparency.

Obaidi told the Iraqi News Agency that 90% of the initial phase of the project has been completed so far.

With the first phase successfully concluded, attention will now shift towards digitizing the financial systems across Iraq’s border gates, transitioning them into fully automated and electronic platforms.

Obeidi stressed the significance of this digitization effort, citing its potential to mitigate revenue loss. He added that the entire project is expected to conclude within seven years.

Customs revenues at Iraq’s ports of entry have been a focal point for the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, as part of broader initiatives to diversify the country’s revenue streams.

Parliamentary estimates suggest that corruption has led to the loss of up to 90% of Iraq’s border gate revenues in recent years, underscoring the urgency of reform efforts.