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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.'
Iraqi News
12-02-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
MOT: Iraq is a distinguished international corridor for the countries of the region
Baghdad - INA Minister of Transport Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi confirmed today, Wednesday, that Iraq is a distinguished international corridor for the countries of the region. A statement by the ministry received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated: "Minister of Transport Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi met with the Secretary-General of the International Road Transport Union, Umberto de Pretto, to discuss the TIR project and ways to facilitate the inter-trade process, which is one of the most important drivers of the global economy." The statement added, "At the beginning of the meeting, which was attended by the head of the Parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee, Zahra Al-Bajari, and the Director General of Passengers and Delegations, Karim Kazem Hussein, the Minister expressed his thanks to the delegation of the International Road Transport Union, which included the Secretary-General of the Union, Umberto de Brito, the Director of Strategic Development, Vincent Erard, the Director of International Road Transport Services (TIR), Tatiana Re-Bellet, and the Union's Middle East Affairs Advisor, Rami Qarout, for their support for Iraq's accession procedures to the TIR Agreement, while he extended an invitation to the delegation to visit Baghdad and discuss joint cooperation." Al-Saadawi stressed - according to the statement - that "the Iraqi government, specifically the Ministry of Transport, is keen on the TIR project, as it is an important project at the level of international trade movement, and it is also reflected in the economies of the member states," noting that "Iraq enjoys a strategic location linking the East and the West, and therefore it is a distinctive international corridor for the countries of the region." He stressed Iraq's keenness to "implement the requirements of the agreement, in conjunction with the ongoing work on the development road project, which we seek to be one of the best global corridors for transporting goods, as it will be the least expensive and safest." In turn, Secretary-General Umberto de Pretto expressed his "thanks for the efforts of the Iraqi government to complete Iraq's accession to the International Land Union," considering that "approval for the passage of vehicles through Iraq is very important." He stressed that "expediting this process makes things better, adding that this project opens up broad horizons for Iraq," noting that "TIR facilitates the trade process by 50%, and ensures the passage of vehicles with ease, and the benefits resulting from it are greater, in light of the existence of enormous capabilities that enhance this." At the end of the meeting, the President of the International Union expressed his "admiration for the topics raised on the discussion table, especially the issue of the international visa, and the possibility of benefiting from Iraqi expertise in the success and organization of the TIR work system." It is noteworthy that the Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, participated yesterday, Tuesday, in the work of the 87th session of the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) held in Geneva; where he delivered Iraq's speech, in which he reviewed the government's projects regarding ways to enhance sustainable connectivity for regional inland transport, and enhance climate action for inland transport, which includes establishing concepts of climate justice, to reduce carbon emissions.
