A new era for Iraqi customs in trade facilitation, with UNCTAD technical support
04 October 2023
Baghdad, 04 October 2023 – The ASYCUDA: Automated System for Customs Data was formally launched this week in the Cargo Customs office at Baghdad International Airport under the auspices of the Government of Iraq and with technical support from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), under the signed agreements entitled “Automation & Modernization of Customs” with the Ministry of Finance.
The Iraqi General Commission for Customs, under the Ministry of Finance, has announced in a statement that Customs Declaration No. 1 in air cargo was handled under the ASYCUDA automation system on 01 October, followed by 130 more.
Mr. Nizar Ammary, ASYCUDA-UNCTAD Representative in Iraq, thanked H.E. the Finance Minister, Ms. Taif Sami, and the Director-General, Mr. Hassan Al Ukaily, for their support, and commended the professionalism of staff at the Finance Ministry and the General Commission for Customs in making the launch of ASYCUDA e-government system a great success.
Mr. Ammary added: “These 100 percent paperless operations, together with full automation, simplify and digitalize procedures, allow electronic payment, and enable the Customs Commission through up-to-date international standards to support Iraq’s leap into the future of world trade.”
During the coming months, all efforts will be focused on deploying the system in all Iraqi customs offices and on installing new functionalities based on the latest technologies (Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, etc.) to improve customs control and facilitate trade.
The pilot project #ASYCUDAWorld, UNCTAD’s largest Technical Assistance Programme in Trade Facilitation, was test launched in September.
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