ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s General Customs Authority announced on Monday that it had received the first international road transport (TIR) shipment traveling from Syria to Kuwait through Iraqi territory, describing the move as a strategic step to boost the country’s role as a regional trade and logistics hub.
The shipment entered Iraq through the al-Waleed border crossing with Syria and is set to exit via the Safwan border crossing with Kuwait, according to a statement from the authority carried by the Iraqi state news agency.
“In a qualitative achievement reflecting Iraq’s growing role as a regional hub for international transport and trade movement… the al-Waleed Border Customs Center received the first international road transport (TIR) shipment coming from Syria and heading to Kuwait,” the statement said.
The authority said customs teams at al-Waleed inspected the shipment’s documents and customs seals and completed the necessary procedures for its transit through Iraq in line with international transit regulations.