Iraq’s accession to the United Nations TIR Convention will boost trade and growth in the Middle East

Iraq’s has become the 78th contacting party to the TIR Convention. All its neighbours: the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, the Syrian Arab Republic, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, are also contracting parties, opening up perspectives for more efficient and secure flow of goods across the region, connecting with markets across all of Europe, Asia – including India, Pakistan  and China – and beyond.

“One week after welcoming Iraq to the Water Convention, I am happy to congratulate Iraq for its accession to the TIR Convention”, declared UNECE Executive Secretary OIga Algayerova. “This opens new opportunities to foster economic growth as a driver of development through efficient trade procedures across the Middle East.”

The TIR system, used by over 34,000 transport and logistic companies, reduces cross-border transport time by up to 80%, and costs by up to 38%.

The TIR Convention (1975), serviced by UNECE, is the only global customs transit system in existence.