The Bawa Mahmood border crossing, located in the Garmian administration, will officially reopen next Sunday for the movement of imported goods. Authorities confirmed that goods entering through the Kurdistan Region border points will once again pass through this crossing toward central and southern Iraq.
Sarwa Mohammed announced the decision. She stated that officials completed all legal and administrative procedures. The Iraqi Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Finance also approved the reopening. As a result, authorities will resume operations after more than eight months of closure.
The crossing connects Garmian with Diyala Governorate. Officials closed it earlier due to customs disputes between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government. These disagreements mainly involved tariff differences at the Parwezkhan Border Crossing and the Bashmakh Border Crossing.
During the closure, traders faced serious challenges. They had to reroute goods through Kirkuk using the Chiman route. This alternative route increased transportation time and costs. Drivers and merchants carried heavier financial burdens and traveled longer distances to deliver goods.
The reopening will significantly improve trade conditions. More than 500,000 drivers and traders are expected to benefit from the decision. Transport routes will become shorter and more efficient, reducing operational costs and delays.
Officials also upgraded the crossing’s infrastructure. They expanded facilities and established a new customs office to ensure smoother operations. Previously, the crossing handled only local goods within the Kurdistan Region. Now, it will process imported goods heading to other parts of Iraq.
Authorities will continue applying federal customs regulations. Goods transported from the Kurdistan Region will undergo tariff adjustments based on the unified customs system.
Overall, reopening Bawa Mahmood marks an important step toward improving trade flow, reducing costs, and strengthening economic links between the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq.
