Iraq and Lebanon discussed ways to develop economic and commercial relations between the two countries, proposing to regulate the entry of Lebanese goods into Iraqi markets exclusively via Lebanese transport trucks, through the Al-Qaim crossing on the border with Syria, and Trebil on the border with Jordan, alongside activating the transit system, which allows flexibility in goods transport and enhances trade movement.
The Iraqi News Agency (INA) quoted the head of the Iraqi Border Crossings Authority, Omar Al-Waili, as saying in a statement following a meeting held yesterday Monday with Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bassit: that the two sides discussed the obstacles facing trade exchange movement, primarily the high costs of transporting goods from Lebanon to Iraq, and explored mechanisms and procedures that could reduce logistical costs and shorten time, thereby enhancing trade fluidity and facilitating the arrival of Lebanese products to Iraqi markets.
Al-Waili added that the meeting also addressed ways to enhance trade exchange and activate free trade agreements between the two countries, encourage investments, and expand areas of importing Lebanese products, emphasizing the existence of directives from Iraqi Prime Minister to develop cooperation and joint coordination, remove obstacles facing trade movement, and provide necessary facilitations for the commercial and investment sectors, thereby enhancing economic partnership between the two countries.
The Iraqi Al-Qaim crossing corresponds to the Syrian Al-Bukamal crossing, which Syria reopened to passenger and truck traffic on June 14, 2025, while the Trebil crossing is located on the Iraqi-Jordanian border. These talks come within the framework of the two countries' efforts to enhance economic cooperation and expand trade exchange with neighboring countries, primarily Syria, while Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Falah Al-Zoubi is scheduled to visit Lebanon on November 18, according to the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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