Iran, Iraq Border Market Resumes Activity

Bashmagh border market, shared by Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan region, resumed working after nearly 100-day hiatus due to coronavirus closure, a local official said on Saturday. Iranian and Iraqi delegations convened in The Western Iranian city of Marivan last week and decided to reopen the border market while observing health protocols.

The trucks have to pass through sanitizing tunnels at both sides of the border. While Iran is providing free services, the Iraqi Kurdistan region is charging the trucks at the upon entering the region, Iranian Kurdistan province deputy governor-general Khaled Jafari said.

In relevant remarks on May 16, Iranian customs officials discussed reopening of Mehran border with Iraqi partners to resume trade as both nations have taken health measures to guarantee hygienic transportation of goods, a local official said. Director General of Ilam Customs Office Rouhollah Gholami said that Iran’s envoy in Baghdad is seriously pursuing the issue.

“The coronavirus outbreak caused a two-month halting of trade activity between Iran and Iraq via this border,” he said, adding “now, necessary health measures have been taken to resume trade activity through this border.” Mehran was one of the first borders that had been closed down after the spread of coronavirus epidemic, he noted.

Also on May 4 it was reported that trucks lined up at the Iranian-Iraqi Kurdistan Region border as it was partially reopened for trade months after it was closed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Trucks were disinfected as they passed through the Shushme border, which links the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq with Iran, as the gates were reopened to cargo traffic under the supervision of a medical team and the police.

Drivers welcomed the re-opening of the border, saying that many lost their jobs because of its closure. The border still remains closed for tourists and the regular passage of people.
Around 280 trucks transporting food and construction materials passed through the Shushme gate daily before it was closed on February 28. - Tehran Times, Fars