Trebil – On December 15^th, the Iraqi Border Points Commission hosted a ceremony to mark the rehabilitation of the Trebil Border Crossing Point (BCP), Iraq’s only official entry point with Jordan and a strategic port of exit for exports to the region and beyond. Through this rehabilitation, the economies of both Iraq and Jordan – which faced decline when the BCP closed seven years ago due to the war with Daesh – are posed to benefit from increased cross-border trade.

Supported by the European Union (EU), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Iraq partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Anbar Governorate Authorities, the Border Points Commission and Government agencies involved in border management to provide infrastructure rehabilitation; specialized technical equipment and software; and tailored border management trainings, with the aim of supporting the Government of Iraq (GoI) to improve security and the cross-border movement of people and goods through the BCP, while also revitalizing cross-border trade and the local economy.

This will be the first time that the single window system is implemented in Iraq, an approach that will support the GoI to streamline and optimize the control and clearance process for goods transiting through the border point by allowing traders to submit information required for cross-border movements to a single office, with all relevant government agencies work together in sequence.

The ceremony opened with words from the Governor of Anbar, Dr. Ali Farhan: “Since the liberation operations, the international community has had a strong presence in the governorate and is working on many development projects, as well as on the rehabilitation of infrastructure and provision of support to displaced persons and returnees. We stress the necessity of this point of exit and its strategic location, and especially its impact on the country's economy, trade and development.”

“We thank all the contributors and supporters of this project, and we hope to continue supporting our border crossings to improve the reality of work, which in turn facilitates the process of trade exchange between our country, Iraq, and the rest of the world,” added Brigadier Eng. Abdulrahim Qasim Hashim on behalf of Dr. Omar Al-Waily, Head of Iraq's Border Point Commission.

Guillaume Decot, First Secretary of the EU Delegation to Iraq, said, “In addition to the security component, strengthening Trebil border point and streamlining its integrated border management processes are a way to bring communities together, to promote trade and economic growth, expanding job opportunities.”

“We can all witness here today – in these new buildings, infrastructure and equipment – the concrete results of this strong collaboration,” stated Head of the Migration Management Division at IOM Iraq, Mr. Darijus Pamparas. “It is important to continue strengthening the border management capacity of the GoI along the border with Jordan, as well as along other borderlines, in terms of infrastructure, equipment, technical knowledge, interagency and cross-border coordination. All of us can play a role in this.”

For more information, please contact IOM Iraq’s Public Information Unit, iraqpublicinfo@iom.int