New electronic measures to curb corruption

Baghdad - INA

The Customs Authority revealed, today, Thursday, the implementation of measures that would reduce the phenomenon of corruption in customs clearance.

The Director-General of the authority, Shaker Al-Zubaidi, said in a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the government's anti-corruption plan, which is being worked on, includes taking electronic administrative measures in the treatment of clearing imported goods, in addition to the permit and customs declaration," noting that "among those measures are four. The first is to limit dealing with customs clearance companies, the second is to prevent dealing with trackers, and the third is to modernize the accountant and electronic collection system.

He added, "The fourth procedure relates to electronically circulating the import permit in completing the customs clearance transaction, which provides a good indication for reducing the rate of customs corruption."

In turn, customs expert Ali Al-Quraishi said in a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the customs announced that it has taken measures that will undermine the strength of the chances of customs corruption by a very large percentage," noting that "the root of customs corruption is subject to several factors, including manipulation and forgery in customs documents and the overlap of The powers between the departments supporting the customs work, which are dangerous in forming corruption systems in the ports, especially since there are fundamental differences in the powers and the interpretation of customs texts and instructions.
He pointed out that "customs exemptions deprive the country of 6 trillion dinars annually," expecting "their volume will rise annually."

Al-Quraishi advised, "The Investment Authority to carry out a comprehensive review of the controls and instructions approved by it for the purposes of customs exemption."

Earlier, the Border Ports Authority issued five recommendations, including controlling the file of duty-free materials.

The authority said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the head of the Border Ports Authority, Major General Dr. Omar Adnan Al-Waeli, chaired the thirteenth meeting of the Customs and Border Ports Project Team, which was held at the authority's headquarters via closed circuit television," noting that "the Vice-President of The Border Ports Authority, who recently assumed the position, to inform him of the details of the team's work.

they also added, "The meeting discussed the agenda, which resulted in a set of recommendations, which are:
- The General Authority of Customs should submit an official report on the developments of the Scuda program, which was carried out through the contract of the Ministry of Finance with UNCTAD, and the latest developments.