By John Lee.
Iraq's Ministry of Trade has outlined plans to tighten import controls and expand the reach of Iraqi goods into regional and international markets.
Mohammed Hannoun, the ministry's official spokesman, told the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the ministry is working to regulate the import process in line with legal frameworks, balancing market access with the protection of consumers and domestic producers.
Hannoun said controls on importer registration have been developed and quality inspection procedures strengthened in coordination with relevant government bodies. He added that the Iraqi market is not open to goods of unknown origin or those that do not meet specifications.
On exports, Hannoun said the ministry aims to move Iraqi products beyond local competition and into external markets. Measures include streamlining export procedures, activating the role of Iraqi commercial attachés abroad, registering Iraqi exporting companies in target countries, and reducing bureaucratic obstacles. He noted that the Export Support Fund is a key tool for encouraging Iraqi companies to expand internationally.
Target markets identified include Arab Gulf states, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, and broader Asian and European markets. The ministry also maintains a trade database developed in coordination with the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
According to Central Bank of Iraq data cited by Hannoun, crude oil accounted for around 92.8% of total Iraqi exports in the first quarter of 2025, with other goods making up 2.3% and petroleum products accounting for the remainder. He said the ministry's goal is not simply to increase the volume of trade, but to change its composition by raising the share of agricultural, industrial, food, and processed goods in Iraq's export mix.
(Source: Iraqi News Agency)
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