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Iraq Business
a day ago
- Business
- Iraq Business
New Iraqi TIR Route "a Game-Changer" for Europe-GCC Logistics
By John Lee. The opening of new Iraqi TIR corridors has enabled a dramatic reduction in transit times between Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with journey durations cut from 24 days to just 10, according to a press release from the International Road Transport Union (IRU). Polish logistics company Milton Group recently completed a round-trip from Poland to the UAE using Iraq's overland TIR transit system. Carrying yacht engines and spare parts, the truck travelled through Poland, Bulgaria, Türkiye, Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia before reaching the UAE. The return leg to Poland was also completed overland, maintaining the 10-day timeframe for each direction. The route passed into Iraq through the Ibrahim Al-Khalil border and exited via Traibeel [Terbil], highlighting Iraq's emergence as a strategic land bridge for trade between Europe and the GCC. The corridor was made fully operational three months ago, with support from IRU members General Company for Land Transportation (GCLT) and Transforat. It forms part of Iraq's wider ambition to become a regional logistics and trade hub. Milton Group COO Waleed Kassem called the development " a game changer, " noting substantial time savings and enhanced logistics resilience by avoiding congested seaports. IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto praised Iraq's efforts, saying this new connectivity offers " faster and more secure journey times " and greater resilience amid regional uncertainties. See our Comprehensive Guide to Logistics in Iraq here. Full statement from the International Road Transport Union (IRU): From Europe to the GCC: New resilient Iraqi TIR routes slash journey times With Iraq now fully operational in the TIR system, new faster and more flexible transport routes are opening between Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. One example: from Poland to the United Arab Emirates in 10 days, more than halving the traditional 24-day journey. Polish transport operator the Milton Group has successfully completed a roundtrip journey linking Poland to the GCC entirely by road, via Iraq's newly operational TIR corridors, with a journey time of 10 days compared to 24 days for traditional maritime-based multimodal routes. The truck, with two drivers, transported yacht engines and spare parts from a Polish factory through the EU to Bulgaria, then through Türkiye, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia before arriving at the customer's facility in the UAE. With the support of IRU members GCLT and Transforat and other partners, TIR corridors in Iraq became fully operational three months ago, reinforcing the country's aim to become a strategic regional logistics and trade hub. Milton, already experienced in multimodal routes between Europe and the Middle East, has been among the first companies to test the new road links. In this case, the trucks entered Iraq from Türkiye via the Ibrahim Al-Khalil border crossing and exited to Jordan via Traibeel. The results were striking: the full road journey took just 10 days, compared to the 24 days typically required for a multimodal route. To further enhance the economic viability of the trip, Milton organised a return load from the UAE back to Poland, completing the roundtrip within the same timeframe. Milton Group Chief Operating Officer Waleed Kassem said, "This new inland TIR transit corridor through Iraq is a game changer for trade between Europe and the Middle East. "By bypassing congested seaports and offering a fully overland route, we've already reduced our door-to-door transit time from 24 days to just 10, a tremendous improvement. "We see a huge opportunity in the development of this corridor and are proud to have taken part. At Milton, we look forward to scaling this route into a core pillar of efficient, secure, and time-sensitive logistics to the GCC region." IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, "It is truly inspiring to witness the successful launch of this new TIR route through Iraq, seeing the fruits of years of preparations and planning by the Iraqi authorities come to life. "This marks only the beginning of what promises to be a landmark development for resilient regional connectivity across the Middle East via Iraq, not only providing faster and more secure journey times, but offering significantly more route flexibility and resilience to transport and logistics operators to better manage regional uncertainty." TIR is the only globally recognised trade facilitation tool, backed by the UN TIR convention and managed by IRU, ensuring the seamless, secure and cost-effective transit of goods across international borders. (Source: IRU)
Iraq Business
06-06-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq celebrates launch of TIR System
By John Lee. With the TIR system now live in Iraq since April 2025, the Minister of Transport and industry leaders officially marked this milestone this week in Baghdad, signalling a new era for international logistics and trade. The official launch of the global TIR transit system in Baghdad brought together the public and private sectors to celebrate this momentous achievement. The event was organised under the patronage of H.E. Razzaq Muhaibes Al-Saadawi, Iraq's Minister of Transport, and IRU members General Company for Land Transportation (GCLT) and Transforat. Managed by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) under a UN mandate, TIR was created in 1949 in post-war Europe to rebuild devastated economies. Its mission then - making cross-border trade efficient and secure - is just as relevant today. IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto, who delivered the keynote speech, said: " Today, we celebrate the full implementation of the global TIR transit system in the Republic of Iraq. This is a hugely important step taken by the Iraqi government and supported by different stakeholders across the Iraqi administration. "This new chapter for Iraq will revive and revamp the country's ancient role as a key crossroads in regional and international trade. " "What TIR did 75 years ago for Europe, it has continued to do ever since for Türkiye, the Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and now, Iraq." According to a statement from IRU, demand for TIR has soared in the Middle East, growing over 400 percent between 2023 and 2024. It adds that, alongside robust security, the system's phenomenal success in the region stems from its efficiency and speed - cutting transport times by up to 92% across GCC borders, for example. " The success of the first shipments that have already transited your borders under TIR is a noteworthy milestone in this journey and a precursor of future success, " said Umberto de Pretto. Logistics and transport companies are starting TIR operations from departure points such as Mersin, Türkiye, to the GCC via the Iraqi seaport of Umm Qasr. With TIR, this journey is being completed securely in less than a week, compared to a minimum of 14 days via the Red Sea, or up to 26 days if the ship needs to reroute around Africa. In a fully inland operation, a shipment from Poland to the UAE via Türkiye and Iraq was completed in a record 12 days. According to the operator, a multimodal operation via the Red Sea would have taken at least 21 days. TIR's electronic pre-declaration system (TIR-EPD) has also been integrated with Iraq's URUK platform, enabling the submission of advance cargo information. Trucks can be closely monitored using GPS tracking throughout their journey, while regular checkpoints ensure cargo and transport security. " Today, we are not merely launching a transit system. We are celebrating a new chapter in Iraq's journey towards prosperity, connectivity and global relevance. The best chapters of Iraq's history are still to be written, " concluded Umberto de Pretto. In high-level talks, IRU and the Minister of Transport discussed next steps to build on this momentum and support Iraq's Development Road Project. They also explored the opening of new inland customs offices for the clearance of goods transported under TIR. Umberto de Pretto also held bilateral meetings with Lieutenant General Sami Radi (Advisor to the Prime Minister on ports, customs and transport affairs), Lieutenant General Dr Omar Adnan Al-Waeli (President of Iraq's Border Ports Authority), Thamer Qasim Daoud (Director General of the Iraqi General Customs Authority) and Murtada Karim Al-Shahmani (General Manager and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GCLT). See our Comprehensive Guide to Logistics in Iraq here. (Sources: IRU, Ministry of Transport)
Iraqi News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq activates TIR system boosting international trade & security says IRU head
Baghdad ( – Iraq officially launched the TIR international road transport system on Tuesday (June 3, 2025), a move hailed by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) as a strong signal of the country's openness to secure international business. IRU Secretary-General Umberto de Pretto attended the activation ceremony in Baghdad. De Pretto emphasized that the TIR system, which facilitates streamlined customs transit for goods, will significantly aid Iraq in international transport, an area where it previously lacked such agreements. TIR enables the Iraqi government and IRU to partner towards logistical integration, he stated, noting it acts like a visa for goods, allowing secure passage without repeated inspections. He highlighted TIR's global success, having guaranteed €50 billion for customs authorities worldwide and seen a 400% increase in country membership in 2023-2024 due to its security benefits. 'Iraq joining TIR sends a powerful message that Iraq is open for business securely… a stable and secure country striving for a prosperous economy,' de Pretto added. The activation of TIR in Iraq is seen as vital for enhancing trade, improving logistics, and boosting economic integration.
Iraqi News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
IRU: Iraq's Accession to TIR Sends Strong Message of Safe and Open Business Environment
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) affirmed on Tuesday that Iraq's accession to the TIR Convention sends a strong signal of the country's openness to international business in a secure and structured manner. The IRU emphasized that the TIR system enables both the organization and the Iraqi government to work together toward achieving logistical integration. Speaking at the official launch event of the TIR system, attended by an Iraqi News Agency (INA) reporter, IRU Secretary-General Umberto de Pretto said 'We are committed to supporting Iraq in facilitating international transport to and from the country. Iraq previously lacked international transport agreements and regional connectivity, but we have introduced innovative and comprehensive technological solutions.' De Pretto explained that the TIR system, which enables international transport of goods under customs control, allows vehicles to move goods across borders with minimal inspection. 'This concept allows trucks to depart and move cargo without being subjected to constant checks, which is the essence of the TIR system. It paves the way for a strategic partnership between the Iraqi government and the IRU toward achieving logistical integration,' he said. He added that the TIR Convention is among the simplest tools for economic integration, offering a proven system that has helped previously closed countries like Uzbekistan to open up to global trade. 'Implementing the TIR system is a key first step toward the secure and efficient cross-border movement of goods. It provides customs authorities with security guarantees, ensures safe transit, and facilitates duty payments,' he noted. The IRU chief also highlighted the system's technological features 'TIR enables logistical integration, automates the tracking of goods in transit, and digitizes operational processes, including tracking where shipments are, where they're headed, and when they arrive. It also supports human resource automation.' He described TIR as 'a visa for goods,' stressing those countries that do not comply with its standards can be removed from the convention. 'The program's expansion in the Gulf region signals its growing success. Between 2023 and 2024, TIR saw a 400% increase in adoption among countries, driven by the security and efficiency it brings, as well as the support it provides at international border crossings.' De Pretto concluded by stating 'Iraq's accession to the TIR Convention sends a powerful message that the country is open for business and is committed to operating in a safe and stable environment. This initiative is not only important for the transport sector but also plays a vital role in Iraq's broader economic development.'
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
GAC achieves major digital milestone with IRU TIR integration
Tribune News Network Doha The General Authority of Customs has announced the successful implementation of a direct electronic integration between its 'AL-Nadeeb' Customs Clearance System and the Digital TIR Carnet Service of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), in coordination with Qatar Chamber as the TIR National Association. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the Authority's ongoing efforts to modernize customs operations and enhance digital integration with international entities. This electronic integration enables the instant and secure exchange of data related to road shipments governed by the International Road Transport (TIR) Convention. It represents a qualitative leap in supporting customs clearance operations associated with international road transport and serves as an innovative strategic step within the Authority's plans for digitizing customs procedures and implementing risk management criteria post-goods arrival. The General Authority of Customs is one of the first customs administrations in the Middle East to successfully implement direct integration with the International Road Transport Organization (IRU). This achievement demonstrates the Authority's commitment to adopting innovative technological solutions that enhance the efficiency and reliability of customs operations and facilitate international trade. The Digital TIR Carnet Service aims to achieve higher levels of efficiency and accuracy in tracking shipments covered by the international TIR system guarantee across land border crossings. This facilitates accelerated procedures and smoother information flow between customs ports and the Authority's global partners, while also enhancing the fluidity of cross-border trade movements. This service will establish a unified and reliable communication channel for real-time customs data exchange between the General Authority of Customs and the International Road Transport Organization (IRU). It will enhance transparency and reliability in transactions while strengthening the effectiveness of operational control at land border crossings. This achievement underscores the Authority's commitment to continuously developing its digital infrastructure and enhancing institutional integration, aligning with its vision for transitioning to innovative systems. It also reflects its pivotal role in solidifying Qatar's status as a leading regional hub for facilitating trade and road transport movements.
