Commercial exchange between Jordan and Iraq through the Traibil border crossing is improving, but custom tax imposed by the Iraqi government and limitations for entry are challenges to further development, The Jordan Times reported Thursday (November 2nd).
The commercial exchange on the border reached its peak since the reopening of the crossing with the issuance of 430 certificates of origin, proving that the exported products are made in Jordan, said Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) chairman Ziad Homsi.
The latest figures provided by the Traibil customs checkpoint showed that 3,845 trucks entered and exited the border since its opening from August 30th to October 27th.
Of those, 2,033 trucks exited the checkpoint towards the Iraqi border -- 1,581 of which were Jordanian trucks, while the rest were from Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Truck Owners Association President Mohammad Dawod said that Jordanian-produced and imported steel is one of the most exported items to Iraq.
Before the border closure in 2012, about 300 Jordanian trucks crossed to the Iraqi side every day, he said, but security concerns prompted investors to be more cautious with their investments.
Homsi expressed his hope that conditions would return to how they used to be, when Jordanian exports to Iraq stood at 20% of the national exports.
But the 30% tax imposed by the Iraqi government on imports and the reloading of Jordanian cargo onto Iraqi trucks at the border are the main challenges, he added.
Last month, Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abbadi said his country would exempt some Jordanian products from customs.
"We are optimistic," Homsi said.
