Iraqi Customs begins implementing the automation system "ASYCUDA" in the port of Umm Qasr

[6ly410]

Iraq’s Customs starts using ASYCUDA automation system in Umm Qasr

• Amr Salem
•  March 4, 2024
•  https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraqs-customs-starts-using-asycuda-automation-system-in-umm-qasr/
•  2 min

A boat moored at the port of Umm Qasr in Basra, Iraq. Photo: AP

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi General Commission for Customs started on Sunday using the ASYCUDA automation system in the Port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq.

Iraq’s Customs said in a statement that the Minister of Finance, Taif Sami, ordered to start using the automation system during a ceremony held in the Grand Welcome Yard (GWY), situated within Umm Qasr Port, attended by the United Nations representative, Nizar Amari, and other Iraqi officials, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.

During the ceremony, Sami stated that the government’s strategic plan to use modern technologies includes the use of automation systems. This plan aims to provide accurate data and information, achieve financial discipline, reduce errors, and achieve efficiency in the use of government resources.

The Minister erupted in rage at individuals who oppose the use of the automation system, confirming that customs officers create gangs and that they would be held responsible. In addition, an inquiry into the cause of the internet outage to stop the system will be launched.

The Iraqi General Commission for Customs uses this automation system at the customs in Baghdad International Airport.

ASYCUDA is a customs management system that utilizes information and communications technology (ICT) with the goal of modernizing customs clearance procedures in middle-class and developing economies.

The automation system streamlines and computerizes processes. ASYCUDA has a significant influence on electronic business and government activities, simplifying and lowering the cost of international commerce and increasing the accessibility of international markets for businesses from developing countries. 

[6ly410]

1 minute ago, 6ly410 said:

Photo: AP

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi General Commission for Customs started on Sunday using the ASYCUDA automation system in the Port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq

 

[6ly410]

why are we still here ? lol let’s go RV 

[RJG]

Accurate government detail on three benefits of "ASYCUDA" in Iraq
Time: 03/07/2024 17:50:32 Read: 988 times


{Economic: Al-Furat News} The economic and financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, announced today, Thursday, three benefits of activating the “ASYCUDA” system in Iraq.

Saleh said {to Al-Furat News} that: “The ASYCUDA system will undoubtedly provide our country with three benefits. The first is reducing evasion of customs and tax duties. This is due to the availability of the ability and accuracy to know the details of imported materials and their conformity with the certificate of origin and purchase invoices, which maximizes public revenues, specifically customs revenues or so-called taxes.” indirect".
He added, "As for the second, it will lead to the availability of detailed information about the import content through the accuracy of the digital system in tracking and detection, which provides the required basic elements of qualitative and commodity control and avoiding the entry of prohibited goods into our country. The third is to limit human interference in the processes of control, evaluation, demarcation, and the consequences." It sometimes includes violations that contradict the legal system between the parties to the relationship.”
Saleh continued, "It also provides the digital system with a detailed statistical information base on our country's foreign trade in terms of quantity and quality with greater accuracy, in addition to providing speed in completing customs transactions and collecting fees after making estimates through the applications of the ESCODA system, which will reduce the costs of commercial transactions and reflect positively." To stabilize the value of goods and merchandise in our country’s markets.”
He added, "The staff of the General Authority for Customs and Border Ports have been qualified to operate the ASYCUDA system and the relevant annexed digital system in preparation for the automation of customs and border ports for all our countries."

https://alforatnews.iq/news/%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A-%D8%AF%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%82-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%AB%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AB%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B9-%D9%84%D9%80%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82

[RJG]

Omar Al-Waeli’s statements

There is no escape from “Asycoda”, Iraqi merchants.. Electronic automation is coming to all ports

 

 03-08-2024 | 15:20

 

Baghdad – 964

The head of the Border Ports Authority, Major General Omar Al-Waeli, confirmed today, Friday, the continuation of activating the ASYCUDA system by the General Authority of Customs in the Great Welcome Square and the start of electronically automating work at all ports gradually, whatever the cost, in addition to a network connection for sonares and electronic audit programs. By the Border Ports Authority to integrate with all departments operating at the ports electronically, while summarizing the benefits of electronic auditing of border ports in revealing the largest fraud operation in which the value of waste exceeded 3 billion Iraqi dinars.

Video: Taif Sami explodes in the face of those who object to automation... “Consider me an employee”

Al-Waeli said, in an interview with the official agency, followed by the 964 network , that “the transition to electronic work represents the government’s direction, as the government program included great interest in the file of border crossings and customs, and emphasized the transition from paper work to electronic work.”

Asycoda system

He added, “Thanks to the government’s support and continuous directions, the ASYCUDA system was activated by UNCTAD in contract with the Ministry of Finance, and on March 1, the system began at the northern port of Umm Qasr in the Welcome Square.”

He pointed out that “there is an expected reaction from some weak-minded people who have made a living from incorrect work, as their interests will be harmed by the introduction of automation and electronic governance,” stressing that “the Authority did not care about these objections, but rather carried out qualitative operations and arrested a large group of traders and importers who violated the law, and there are There is a government will and a government directive to proceed with electronic automation at all border crossings, irreversibly and whatever the cost.”

He continued: “Despite the objections that occurred, the authority continued its work, and we do not allow any goods to enter unless they are subjected to auditing and electronic data.”

Maximize revenue

Al-Waeli stressed that “electronic auditing will maximize revenues and will not allow the employee to determine the value of the goods on his own or according to his whims. Rather, the system will determine the percentage of customs duty required for the goods imported into Iraq.”

He stressed that “this will achieve real and accurate collection that matches the price of the goods arriving in Iraq.”

Self-help electronic programs

He added: “We, at the Border Ports Authority, have multiple electronic programmes, which we created with our own efforts, including the pre-inspection program to protect the Iraqi consumer, as well as the customs exemptions program to prevent tampering with quantities of goods and exemption books, as well as the certificates of origin and invoices program to control the origin of the goods.” “As well as auditing financial transfers so that merchants do not exploit financial transfers that exceed the actual size of the goods.”

He stressed that “these programs are flexible and will be interconnected with the ASYCUDA program, and the border crossings implement government directives accurately and quickly, and there is effort and perseverance on our part to continue this electronic work.”

Sonar networking and image analysis

He pointed out that “the authority has implemented a network connection for the sonars and has begun analyzing images of the goods, which means that no goods containing hidden smuggled materials will pass and enter Iraq, and thus this will reflect positively on raising the level of the Iraqi economy to higher levels, and it will be classified among the countries that followed good governance.” “We will be among the countries that fought drug smuggling and the smuggling of goods prohibited from import.”

Positive results

Al-Waeli continued his speech: “There are many independent bodies that have been separated from the ministries, and there are many administrative structures that have been changed and created, but the positive results are what give the true picture of the success of this separation or this experience through the creation of the Border Ports Authority, and today the success of the Authority has been proven.” The border crossings have become an independent body linked to the Council of Ministers.”

He pointed out that “among the results achieved recently was the arrest of a drug dealer and transporter in one of the eastern ports, and over the course of two days approximately 213 smuggled cars under the model that came to the ports based on suspicious agreements were seized, but the Ports Authority had a different opinion by seizing these.” Wheels, an investigation will be conducted, and the transport companies, importers, and companies that began bringing these cars will be held accountable.”

Detecting the largest forgery operation

Al-Waeli revealed, “The largest tax fraud operation has been seized, exceeding 3 billion dinars so far,” stressing that “a retrospective audit is underway into all the details of the operation.”

He explained that “the process consisted of falsifying tax receipts, as this is done by tax officials at the border crossings cutting a fake receipt for the real amount, but what goes as final revenue to the state is much less than the real fee that was taken at the border crossings, and thus this money goes to Pockets of corrupt people.”

He concluded by saying: “For example, there are goods whose tax duty is 5 million dinars. The employee gives a fake receipt for the amount within the transaction to complete the procedures and take the goods out of the port, but the amount of five million turns into 50 thousand Iraqi dinars with another receipt that goes as final revenue for the state, and hence the huge difference.” 4 million and 950 thousand dinars go into the pockets of corrupt people.”

He pointed out that “the value of the amount wasted until the current audit reached the threshold of 3 billion dinars, which represents a difference and waste of public money, and the corrupt employees were arrested based on our follow-up and coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council / Presidency of the Basra Federal Court of Appeal and other supporting parties,” stressing that “ The investigation is ongoing, and a retrospective audit is underway, as this file is considered one of the important files that represents the arrest of employees tampering with the state’s tax revenues.”

Money laundering and fake transfers

Regarding money laundering and fake money transfers, Al-Waeli confirmed, “The Border Ports Authority was the first department in Iraq to diagnose, confirm, and take legal measures against many banks and companies that carried out money transfers with the help of employees.”

Activities and outputs

He noted that “among the Authority’s outputs and activities are: controlling large counterfeit operations, qualitative seizures of drugs, cigarettes, medicines, and cars, and great coordination with other departments such as the Federal Integrity Commission to deter spoilers,” stressing that “the Ports Authority’s coordination with the Integrity Commission is at a high level, and the basic support is It is the judiciary that gives the legal cover to carry out red-handed arrests, implement arrest warrants, and follow up on existing violations, as well as the government program and the Prime Minister’s directives that were important and present in combating the corruption pandemic, in addition to the important role of the Financial Supervision Bureau, which has a major role in coordination, cooperation, and integration with the Authority. Ports as a regulatory body that exercises its work in accordance with the law.”

He stressed that “the Ports Authority is continuing its performance to reach a major integration process in the electronic program, as well as controlling revenues and violations, so that our ports will be the impenetrable dam and the first gateway to Iraq with neighboring countries to prevent the entry of any material that harms the Iraqi consumer.”

Ramadan and the flow of food

Al-Waeli says: “In conjunction with the approaching month of Ramadan, which requires a large influx of food supplies in order to maintain prices, the authority will work 24 hours a day to secure food supplies, the work of the Ministry of Trade, and the entry of the largest possible amount of food and consumer goods that the Iraqi citizen needs into the country.” RAMADAN month".

He added, "This comes to block the way for speculators, smugglers, and manipulators in the Iraqi market."

Developing and training staff

He pointed out that “the authority is developing its personnel significantly, training its employees on electronic work, and establishing a data center to monitor border crossings with cameras, sonars, and auditing,” stressing that “work is continuing and is on the rise.”

He stressed that “the doors of the border ports are open to the media and anyone who wishes to visit the ports to audit the electronic work and networking and see the large volume of activity practiced by the Border Ports Authority.”

Well thought out plan

He noted that “the Commission has a well-thought-out plan during the current year 2024, and it has a meeting with the directors of all Iraqi ports on a regular basis to evaluate performance and raise the level of work. The negligent ones will be held accountable and exempted, and those who have demonstrated distinguished activity during the past period will be honored. There is a plan that will be communicated to them and will be discussed accordingly.” Variables, in addition to the presence of other qualitative and deterrent measures that we will adopt during the current year to reach integrated border crossings in all logistical aspects.”

Binding government decisions

Al-Waeli explained, “The governorates are concerned with developing the border crossings through the revenues generated, and there is high coordination with the governorates and a major reconstruction process taking place in most of Iraq’s crossings.”

He pointed out that “there are outlets that require more efforts than the governorates, and the Prime Minister paid great attention to this file, and government decisions were issued obligating the governorates to reconstruct the outlets from their revenues in order to improve the work situation.

https://964media.com/326708/

[RJG]

What is the importance of financial automation for Iraqi customs? An expert explains in detail
Time: 03/08/2024 14:06:18 Read: 1,586 times


{Economic: Al-Furat News} The Iraqi economic affairs researcher, Ali Karim Dhahib, explained the importance of the Ministry of Finance adopting the automation system in customs.

Dhaheeb told {Al-Furat News} agency, “Information technology contributes effectively to simplifying and facilitating customs procedures, in addition to its major role in the accuracy of work, reducing costs and time spent on completing tasks, high transparency in customs work, and the quality of reports prepared for senior departments that help them in taking decisions.” Appropriate decisions and building an important database.”
He stated that "the increase in the volume of trade in Iraq was greatly and clearly reflected in the futility of paperwork for customs procedures, as it creates a state of bureaucracy and personal diligence, and the spread of financial corruption."
Karim explained, "The decision of the Iraqi Ministry of Finance to work with the ASYCUDA system will provide the General Authority of Customs with adopting the latest technologies and electronic applications applied in many countries of the world, and also implements the recommendations of international organizations concerned with foreign trade and professional organizations specialized in customs work."
He pointed out that "Jordanian Customs, in cooperation with WebFuntain Company, launched its new website linked to the ASYCUDA system services on the Internet, with the aim of providing customs facilities and procedures and simplifying them for the recipients of the service, including citizens, merchants, manufacturers, and clearance companies."
He explained that "the application of everything new and advanced through the use of modern technology in work meets all the needs of partners from the private and public sectors to access distinguished electronic customs services for all those dealing with them and provide all information and computerized automated systems. The ASYCUDA system also contributes to development projects with the aim of facilitating and simplifying procedures." “In order to reduce the effort and burden on the service recipients and reduce the time required to complete customs transactions.”
He stressed that "activating the ASYCUDA system allows all those dealing with the department, including citizens, industrialists, merchants, and brokers, to benefit and search through the ASYCUDA system service for all information related to customs work, including customs tariff items, value, and currency calculations. In addition, the new system is characterized by the introduction of search technology using artificial intelligence to search." About tariff items and trade descriptions according to the latest contemporary technology on the website.

https://alforatnews.iq/news/%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9%C2%A0%D9%84%D9%84%D9%83%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9%D8%9F-%D8%AE%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%AD-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%84

[RJG]

Al-Waeli: No goods containing smuggled materials will pass and enter Iraq

 

3/8/2024

 

The head of the Border Ports Authority, Major General Omar Al-Waeli, confirmed today, Friday, the continuation of activating the ASYCUDA system by the General Authority of Customs in the Grand Welcome Square and the start of electronically automating work at all ports gradually, whatever the cost, in addition to a network connection for sonares and electronic audit programs. By the Border Ports Authority to integrate with all departments working at the ports electronically, and in summarizing the benefits of electronic auditing of border ports in revealing the largest fraud operation in which the value of waste exceeded 3 billion Iraqi dinars. 

 

Al-Waeli said, in an interview conducted with the official news agency, followed by NRT Arabia, that “the transition to electronic work represents the government’s direction, as the government program included great interest in the file of border crossings and customs, and emphasized the transition from paper work to electronic work.”

 

Asycoda system

He added, "Thanks to the government's support and continuous directions, the ASYCUDA system was activated by UNCTAD in contract with the Ministry of Finance, and on March 1, the system began at the northern port of Umm Qasr in the Welcome Square."

He pointed out that "there is an expected reaction from some weak-minded people who have made a living from incorrect work, as their interests will be harmed by the introduction of automation and electronic governance," stressing that "the Authority did not care about these objections, but rather carried out qualitative operations and arrested a large group of merchants and importers in violation of the law." “There is a governmental will and governmental directive to proceed with electronic automation at all border crossings, irreversibly and no matter the cost.”

 

He continued: "Despite the objections that occurred, the authority continued its work, and we do not allow any goods to enter unless they are subjected to auditing and electronic data."

 

Maximize revenue

Al-Waeli stressed that "electronic auditing will maximize revenues and will not allow the employee to determine the value of the goods on his own or according to his whims. Rather, the system will determine the percentage of customs duty required for the goods imported into Iraq."

 

He stressed that "this will achieve real and accurate collection that matches the price of the goods arriving in Iraq."

 

Self-help electronic programs

He added: “We, at the Border Ports Authority, have multiple electronic programs, which we created with our own efforts, including the pre-inspection program to protect the Iraqi consumer, as well as the customs exemptions program to prevent tampering with quantities of goods and exemption books, as well as the certificates of origin and invoices program to control the origin of the goods.” “As well as auditing financial transfers so that merchants do not exploit financial transfers that exceed the actual size of the goods.”

 

He stressed that "these programs are flexible and will be interconnected with the ASYCUDA program. The border crossings implement government directives accurately and quickly, and there is effort and perseverance on our part to continue this electronic work."

 

 

Sonar networking and image analysis

He pointed out that "the authority has implemented a network connection for the sonars and has begun analyzing images of the goods, which means that no goods containing hidden smuggled materials will pass and enter Iraq, and thus this will reflect positively on raising the level of the Iraqi economy to higher levels, and its classification will be among the countries that followed good governance." "We will be among the countries that fought drug smuggling and the smuggling of goods prohibited from import."

 

 

Positive results

Al-Waeli continued his speech: “There are many independent bodies that have been separated from the ministries, and there are many administrative structures that have been changed and created, but the positive results are what give the true picture of the success of this separation or this experience through the creation of the Border Ports Authority, and today the success has been proven.” The Border Ports Authority after it became an independent body linked to the Council of Ministers.”

 

He pointed out that "among the results achieved recently was the arrest of a drug dealer and transporter in one of the eastern ports, and over the course of two days, approximately 213 smuggled cars under the model that came to the ports based on suspicious agreements were seized, but the Ports Authority had a different opinion by seizing these... Wheels, an investigation will be conducted, and the transport companies, importers, and companies that began bringing these cars will be held accountable.”

 

 

Control of the largest forgery operation

Al-Waeli revealed, “The largest tax fraud operation has been seized, exceeding 3 billion dinars so far,” stressing that “a retrospective audit is underway into all the details of the operation.”

 

He explained, "The process consisted of falsifying tax receipts, as this is done by tax officials at the border crossings cutting a fake receipt for the real amount, but what goes as final revenue to the state is much less than the real fee that was taken at the border crossings, and thus this money goes to Pockets of corrupt people.

 

He concluded by saying: “For example, there are goods whose tax fee is 5 million dinars. The employee gives a fake receipt for the amount within the transaction to complete the procedures and take the goods out of the port, but the amount of five million turns into 50 thousand Iraqi dinars with another receipt that goes as final revenue for the state, and hence the difference.” The amount of 4 million and 950 thousand dinars goes into the pockets of corrupt people.”

 

He pointed out that "the value of the amount wasted until the current audit has reached the threshold of 3 billion dinars, which represents a difference and waste of public money, and the corrupt employees were arrested based on our follow-up and coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council / Presidency of the Basra Federal Court of Appeal and other supporting parties," stressing that " The investigation is ongoing, and a retrospective audit is underway, as this file is considered one of the important files that represents the arrest of employees tampering with the state’s tax revenues.”

 

 

Money laundering and fake transfers

Regarding money laundering and fake money transfers, Al-Waeli confirmed, “The Border Ports Authority was the first department in Iraq to diagnose, confirm, and take legal measures against many banks and companies that carried out money transfers with the help of employees.” 

 

 

Activities and outputs

He noted that “among the Authority’s outputs and activities are: controlling major counterfeiting operations, qualitative seizures of drugs, cigarettes, medicines, and cars, and great coordination with other departments such as the Federal Integrity Commission to deter corruptors,” stressing that “the Ports Authority’s coordination with the Integrity Commission is at a high level, while Al-Sanad The main thing is the judiciary, which gives the legal cover to carry out red-handed arrests, implement arrest warrants, and follow up on existing violations, as well as the government program and the directives of the Prime Minister, which were important and present in combating the corruption pandemic, as well as the important role of the Financial Supervision Bureau, which has a major role in coordination, cooperation, and integration with... The Ports Authority is a regulatory body that carries out its work in accordance with the law.

 

He stressed that "the Ports Authority is continuing its performance to reach a major integration process in the electronic program, as well as controlling revenues and violations, so that our ports will be the impenetrable dam and the first gateway to Iraq with neighboring countries to prevent the entry of any material that harms the Iraqi consumer."

 

 

Ramadan and the flow of food

Al-Waeli says: “In conjunction with the approaching month of Ramadan, which requires a large influx of food supplies in order to maintain prices, the Authority will work 24 hours a day to secure food supplies and the work of the Ministry of Commerce and to bring in the largest possible amount of food and consumer goods that the Iraqi citizen needs into the country.” RAMADAN month".

 

He added, "This comes to block the way for speculators, smugglers and manipulators in the Iraqi market."

 

 

Developing and training staff

He pointed out that "the authority has greatly developed its personnel, trained its employees on electronic work, and established a data center to monitor border crossings with cameras, sonars, and audits," stressing that "work is continuing and on the rise."

 

He stressed that "the doors of the border crossings are open to the media and anyone who wishes to visit the crossings to audit the electronic work and networking and see the large volume of activity practiced by the Border Ports Authority."

 

 

Well thought out plan

He noted that "the authority has a well-thought-out plan during the current year 2024, and it has a meeting with the directors of all Iraqi ports on a regular basis to evaluate performance and raise the level of work. The negligent ones will be held accountable and exempted, and those who showed distinguished activity during the past period will be honored. There is a plan that will be communicated to them and will be discussed accordingly." “The variables, in addition to the presence of other qualitative and deterrent measures that we will adopt during the current year, to reach integrated border crossings in all logistical aspects.”

 

 

Binding government decisions

Al-Waeli explained, "The governorates are concerned with developing the border crossings through the revenues generated, and there is high coordination with the governorates and a major reconstruction process taking place in most of Iraq's crossings."

 

He pointed out that "there are outlets that require more efforts than the governorates, and the Prime Minister paid great attention to this file, and government decisions were issued obligating the governorates to reconstruct the outlets from their revenues in order to improve the work situation."

https://www.nrttv.com/ar/detail3/24334

[bkeiller]

Iraq figuring out that controlling borders with functioning systems are key to their success and prosperity.

 

Huh, fancy that! 

[horsesoldier]

7 minutes ago, bkeiller said:

Iraq figuring out that controlling borders with functioning systems are key to their success and prosperity.

 

Huh, fancy that! 

Too right: maybe we should try that here? Naw, everything's just fine & dandy in the USA. 

[BETTYBOOP]

Are they actually using the system or are they still talking about it , even although it is in place. With these clowns you never know

[horsesoldier]

2 hours ago, BETTYBOOP said:

Are they actually using the system or are they still talking about it , even although it is in place. With these clowns you never know

According to the top article they began using the system last Sunday. Having said that, perhaps their definition of "Start using" may be vastly different to our understanding. 

These people confuse & confound even themselves.

[Officiallytook]

15 minutes ago, horsesoldier said:

According to the top article they began using the system last Sunday. Having said that, perhaps their definition of "Start using" may be vastly different to our understanding. 

These people confuse & confound even themselves.

Makes one think what else is backwards to the way we think of the words they choose to speak... 🤔

[Longtimelurker]

1 hour ago, Officiallytook said:

Makes one think what else is backwards to the way we think of the words they choose to speak... 🤔

The word "soon" comes to mind