Iraq Imposes Additional Duty on Imported Oxygen

Iraq's Council of Ministers has approved measures to support the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry and protect local production. The decision includes merging the existing Pharmaceutical Council, established under Cabinet Decision No. 23151 of 2023, with the Higher Committee for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry. The merged body will include representatives from the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, the Customs Authority, and the Pharmacists' Syndicate.

As part of efforts to protect local products, the cabinet also approved the imposition of an additional customs duty of 40 percent on imported medical and industrial oxygen, in both gaseous and liquid forms. The measure will apply to imports from all origins for a period of four years.