Latest news with #TIR-EPD
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)
Iraq Business
26-03-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq Implements Global Transit System TIR from April
By John Lee. Iraq will implement the global transit system TIR from 1 April 2025, marking a significant step in enhancing logistics and international trade. According to state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) , the Border Ports Commission announced that the system will streamline cross-border transport, strengthening Iraq's position as a key trade hub in the Middle East. The TIR system is expected to play a crucial role in the Development Road project, linking southern and northern Iraq while providing an efficient trade corridor connecting Asia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Turkey, and Europe. Logistics firms are prepared to launch TIR operations from locations such as Mersin, Turkey, to Gulf countries via Umm Qasr Port. Initial trials indicate that the journey could be completed in under a week-compared to 14 days via the Red Sea or 26 days if ships reroute around Africa. Transport Minister Razzaq Muhibis Al-Saadawi highlighted that TIR implementation, supported by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and facilitated by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), will reduce transport times by 80% and costs by 38%, offering substantial economic benefits and job creation. Over the past two years, Iraq has developed its transport infrastructure to maximise TIR's impact on trade and the national economy. IRU Secretary-General Umberto de Pretto welcomed the initiative, stating that TIR has facilitated secure trade for nearly eight decades. He anticipates that Iraq's integration into the system will enhance regional economic connectivity and streamline freight movement. The system's electronic pre-declaration (TIR-EPD) will integrate with Iraq's Uruk platform, enabling cargo monitoring via GPS and enhancing security through regular checkpoints. TIR, governed by a United Nations convention and managed by IRU, is designed to ensure smooth, cost-effective, and secure international trade. In 2023, Iraq became the 78th country to accede to the United Nations TIR Convention . (Source: INA)
