Iraq, Syria Agree on Border Trade Facilitation Measures

Iraq and Syria have agreed on a set of new measures aimed at facilitating trade and transport movement across their shared border crossings, part of efforts to boost bilateral trade and open the Syrian market to more Iraqi exports.

Agreement Details

The agreement was reached during a video conference that included the head of Iraq's Border Crossings Authority, Omar Adnan al-Waeli, along with customs and land transport officials, and on the Syrian side, the head of the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports and Customs, Qutaiba Badawi, along with a number of authority officials.

Both sides agreed to open direct communication channels between the Iraqi and Syrian crossings to exchange information, coordinate procedures, and address obstacles affecting the flow of trade.

Customs and Logistics Measures

• Electronic exchange of customs data to reduce processing time and verify goods data regarding description, weight, and customs fees.
• Equal entry allowances for drivers from both countries to ease transport burdens and support trade exchange.
• Facilitation of transit truck movement across the border.
• Designation of new lanes for trade and passenger movement inside the crossings, in addition to lanes dedicated to gasoline and fuel oil tankers and trucks carrying perishable goods.

Rabia Crossing Expansion

The measures included the expansion of the Rabia border crossing by adding an area of 100 dunams (100,000 square meters), aimed at increasing its capacity to accommodate trucks and tankers and facilitate their passage, as part of an Iraqi push to boost communication and trade exchange with Syria through the Rabia, Walid, and Qaim crossings.

Passenger Movement

The two sides agreed to resume passenger crossing through the Walid crossing after completing the passport halls and designated roads, works expected to be finished early next year, while passenger movement continues through the Rabia and Qaim crossings.

Economic Background

These border understandings follow economic talks held between Iraqi Trade Minister Mustafa Nazar al-Ani and Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar in the first week of September, which focused on increasing bilateral trade volume and expanding Iraqi exports to Syria. The talks were held on the sidelines of the 118th regular session of the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League.

According to Iraq's Ministry of Trade, the two sides discussed boosting the entry of Iraqi products, especially cement and asphalt, into the Syrian market, supporting bilateral trade and opening new opportunities for the private sector in both countries.