Erbil ponders: turning trade hurdles into opportunities

Experts at Iraq's first major logistics exhibition discussed the reshaping of strategic transit corridors and trade in the Middle East.

The Erbil Logistics Exhibition 2026 marked Iraq's first specialised trade fair dedicated to logistics, transport, freight forwarding and supply chain solutions.

On the opening day, Serhat İmrak (IMSAN Group) and Rami Karout (IRU) moderated a panel on "Cross Cultural Trade and Logistics" and "The Future of Transit Transport: TIR Operations and the Development Road Project".

The panellists - Gul Diril Saracoglu (Mersin International Port), Erman Ereke (IRU), Kadir Çirkin (IRU member UND) and Kemal Bahadir (Consulate General of Türkiye in Erbil) - explored how challenges in cross-border trade can be turned into opportunities.

The discussion focused on the evolving role of transit and transport in regional trade. Transit routes are becoming increasingly important, particularly as supply chains adapt to geopolitical shifts and growing demand for reliable overland corridors.

The panel also explored the role of the TIR system in enabling secure and efficient transit and transport. Erman Ereke highlighted how digital TIR solutions are improving border crossings, reducing paperwork, and enhancing operational efficiency for operators and authorities alike.

The discussion broadened to Iraq's Development Road Project, with the panellists assessing its potential to reshape transit corridors connecting Europe, the Middle East and Asia. They underlined the project's significance for regional integration and its capacity to strengthen Iraq's position as a transit hub.

In the closing segment, the panellists shared their outlook for the next five to ten years, pointing to digitalisation, corridor diversification, and deeper regional cooperation as the most significant drivers of change in transit and transport.

TIR in Iraq

TIR became operational in Iraq on 1 April 2025. A few months later, the government made it mandatory for all goods transiting its territory by road to reinforce security and efficiency.

TIR's electronic pre-declaration system (TIR-EPD) has also been integrated, enabling the submission of advance cargo information and full compliance with national requirements on advance risk management.

Transport operators have been opening new secure trade routes via Iraq, demonstrating significant time savings, examples include:

• Polish transport operator the Milton Group completing a roundtrip journey linking Poland to the GCC region entirely by road via Iraq in just ten days
• Hasbayrak International Transport, a leading Turkish logistics operator, conducting the first shipment from Türkiye to Kuwait via Iraq in just four days, a significant improvement over the 45-day maritime route
• Kizgin, also from Türkiye, and its Jordanian partner Al Wafi transporting goods from Istanbul to Amman via Iraq in just five days, as opposed to four to five weeks by sea