Trade exchange between Kurdistan Region, Rojava increased

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Trade between the Kurdistan Region and Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) continued with plans to increase exchange between both sides.

Siyamand Osman, the Director of Semelka border crossing on the Rojava side, told Kurdistan24 the trade between both regions is ongoing but only for basic materials.

“We hope the trade exchange increases in the future to import other essential materials like sugar, and construction materials like cement and iron,” Osman added.

On June 7, the border crossing between the Kurdistan Region and Rojava was re-opened after its closure for over three months.

An agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Rojava Administration to offer duty-free border crossing from both sides was settled.

Osman explained the border crossing was open for all materials but due to exploitation by some traders the administration of both sides of the border began working to allow other essential materials to be traded with suitable prices.

“The trading for the essential materials has not resumed yet due to high prices,” Osman said.

Masoud Chato, a member of Semelka border crossing, told Kurdistan24 that “the trade exchange between Kurdistan and Rojava increased in the past three months, with the hopes of resolving remaining issues and expanding.”

Salih Berbuhari, the Director of Peshabur Border, previously told Kurdistan24 the KRG and Rojava approved the transfer of livestock. 

“Upon a request from the people of Rojava and Syria’s Kurdish National Council (ENKS), the KRG decided to allow the free transferring of livestock from Rojava to the Kurdistan Region and trade exchange between both sides,” he explained.

Moreover, Berbuhari said his team contacted the Rojava administration to agree on tax exemptions from both sides of the border, but their offer was rejected.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany