Baghdad – IA
The Ministry of Finance issued a clarification regarding the reactions of some merchants and customs brokers at the Great Welcome Square Customs in Umm Qasr Port in Basra regarding the implementation of the customs automation system.
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The Ministry stated in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that “in light of what was reported through some media outlets regarding the reactions of some merchants and customs brokers at the Great Welcome Square Customs at Umm Qasr Port in Basra regarding the implementation of the Customs Automation System (ASYCUDA) following a visit Minister of Finance, Taif Sami, visited the port of Umm Qasr yesterday, indicating that “in this regard, the Ministry emphasizes the commitment to implementing laws and regulations, including the customs automation project, as it is considered one of the most important axes of economic reform that the government has adopted as part of the priorities of its government program, and is considered an important basis and starting point for implementing reforms.” Finance and banking, in accordance with the government’s vision and approach in implementing real trade and combating corruption.”
The Ministry stressed “implementing all financial obligations to complete the requirements of the first phase, and providing the necessary infrastructure for the success of the project, by organizing technical workshops to introduce this important project, which will support the government’s efforts in developing economic structures according to the foundations of integrity and transparency.”
She pointed out that “the program to automate border crossings and customs, and link it to the formations operating within the border crossings, has reached advanced stages, and will contribute to reducing the phenomenon of corruption and wasting public money, as well as maximizing the state’s resources and increasing financial revenues,” stressing that “this program has achieved many The financial resources that support Basra Governorate are based on the Governorates Law and the State General Budget Law, which stipulates allocating 50% of these revenues to the governorate and 20% to support border crossings. In addition, implementing the system will work to achieve financial discipline, reduce errors, and efficiency. and effectiveness in the use of government resources.”
It is worth noting that this program has previously been implemented at Baghdad International Airport/air cargo customs without any significant violation, and that steps are accelerating to implement it in all regions, customs centers and other departments.
Also, the customs automation and modernization system (ASYCUDA) is a system used in more than (100) countries, which came after the signing of a partnership contract by the Ministry of Finance with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 2021, where a specialized international team was sent from ( UNCTAD is supervising the implementation of the program in cooperation with a work team from the Iraqi customs. Preparing the requirements for its implementation has begun, and employees have been trained to work on its management and gain experience from the international team, in addition to introducing them to training workshops inside and outside Iraq.
