KRG taxation concerns Iran and Turkey

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Abdulsattar Majid, stated that Iran and Turkey are concerned about taxes on agricultural products imported to the Region. 

On Sunday, Majid released a statement that read, “Iran, Turkey, and other countries are concerned after KRG decided to tax the imported products to protect the local agriculture production of the Kurdistan Region.”

Majid told K24 that the decision to tax imported agricultural products was made in 2014, and eventually implemented in 2015.

He mentioned that neighboring countries have expressed their concerns about the KRG’s decision to tax foreign products. “I will do whatever serves best to the citizens of the Kurdistan Region,” Majid said.

Majid stated that the representatives of some countries revealed that their businessmen are concerned about the taxes. “I told them that our farmers are also concerned, our farmers are all in damage due to the Turkish and Iranian products imported to the Region,” the statement read.

“I believe that we can’t make independent political decisions unless we rely on our local productions,” Majid added. He also believes that if neighboring countries close their borders, prices will dramatically increase which is dangerous for the Kurdistan Region.

He noted that the ministry’s policy is to keep a balance between farmers and clients. Majid acknowledged that the ministry will prevent foreign products to enter the Region, but whenever local products become expensive and fail to fulfill people’s demands, the KRG will allow foreign products to be imported accordingly.

Kurdistan imports most of its products from neighboring countries, especially Turkey and Iran. It has led the Region to largely depend on both countries in fulfilling its domestic needs.

(Reporting by: Mewan Dolamari; Editing by Karzan Sulaivany)