Iraq's Border Ports Authority announced record financial revenues from customs duties as a result of the measures taken by the government of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at all border crossings to combat customs corruption, impose order and expel armed factions from the country's frontier.
Head of Iraq's Border Ports Authority Omar al-Waeli said the revenues amounted to $100 million in July despite customs exemptions on several goods and closure of the outlets due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He indicated that the revenues came from seven or eight crossings out of Iraq’s 21, stressing that the authority intends to achieve more revenues to support the state treasury in light of the country’s financial issues.
During his visit to Mandali crossing with Iran last month, Kadhimi vowed to pursue the “ghosts” who were transporting cargo trucks across the border without paying customs fees.
He ordered a team from the Emergency Response Division to take over the crossing, saying they are authorized to use live fire to stop anyone from attacking people working at the border.
Meanwhile, an informed source at the Ports Authority confirmed that the measures taken by the government have made a total difference in terms of increasing the financial revenues achieved and imposing the law.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the source said that units of the armed factions were present at the ports under the pretext of supervising religious groups arriving from Iran during the pilgrimage season, but their presence became permanent.
They used the ports for trade operations, customs clearance, and illegally imposing fees and royalties, he added.
The source said that the government recently expelled all the factions and groups working outside the customs area, and dismissed several employees cooperating with those groups.
He also said he expects the revenues to increase in the coming months compared to previous years, noting that over half of the border ports are shut due to the COVID-19, and operating crossings are not at full capacity.
