Al-Zaydi directs border crossings to operate on self-financing and emphasizes combating corruption.
On Friday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the Border Ports Authority to operate on a self-financing system through tax and customs fees, while stressing the need to combat corruption.
Al-Zaydi visited the headquarters of the Border Ports Authority in the capital, Baghdad, where he met with the directors of the border ports and their employees via video conference, praising their efforts and their role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and economy, and ensuring the safety of citizens, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency.
Al-Zaydi stressed that border crossings represent the face of the state and its economic, security and sovereign gateway, stressing the need to expedite the completion of the border crossing automation project and to put an end to attempts at fraud, corruption and manipulation. EconomicReform analysis
He instructed that all ports be linked to a secure electronic system, and that a comprehensive daily report be provided on the movement of work and revenues, and that leading global experiences in managing border ports be utilized.
He also called for border crossings to be self-financed, with tax and customs fees being deducted upfront and before transfers are made, as well as service fees being allocated for the purpose of rehabilitating and developing the crossings.
He stressed that combating corruption at border crossings will be a top priority, and that the next phase will witness unprecedented and decisive measures in this direction, emphasizing that smuggling drugs and medicines, circumventing the competent authorities, and other forms of smuggling, represent serious crimes that target society and kill the sons of the Iraqi people, and there will be no leniency with their perpetrators.
For his part, the head of the Border Ports Authority, Omar Adnan Al-Waili, reviewed the development road project and its importance, following the signing of an agreement to begin its implementation with the Turkish side, explaining the routes of the road on both the railway and land sides, and the possibilities of linking it through Syria and Saudi Arabia, as well as the connection stations with the Iraqi governorates.
He pointed to efforts to develop the work of border crossings, most notably activating a robust electronic transit system, linking with the ASYCUDA system, addressing unofficial crossings, controlling financial transfer operations, combating drug smuggling, reviewing customs exemptions, and combating the forgery of tax receipts.
The head of the ports authority explained the increase in customs revenues during the current year, after adopting a sound electronic mechanism to control the movement of trucks, and the rehabilitation of a number of border crossings to improve the level of their services, which enhances their ability to protect the national economy.
Shafaq.com