Decline in Gold Imports Through Sulaimani International Airport
Sulaimani International Airport has witnessed a marked reduction in gold imports, as indicated by local authorities. Sarhang Kamal Mohammed, the head of the Sulaimani Measurement and Quality Control Directorate, cited a decrease in demand as a primary factor for this trend.
“The import of gold through Sulaimani International Airport has significantly declined,” Mohammed stated on Saturday. Official records reveal that the airport previously facilitated the import of 3,582 kilograms of gold last year, with a notable drop to 339 kilograms in November and 347 kilograms in December of the same year.
According to Mohammed, soaring gold prices have led to reduced demand, particularly among newlywed couples who are purchasing less gold due to these elevated costs. He also noted that a recent ban on importing gold from Turkey has contributed to the decline in overall gold imports.
As per the head of the inspection and permit department, Dubai has become the sole source for gold imports through Sulaimani, particularly in light of the Turkish import restrictions. In total, 12,926 kilograms of gold were imported and tested at Sulaimani International Airport last year.
Furthermore, Iraqi businessmen have reported an average import rate of 50 kilograms of gold daily, which translates to approximately 1.5 tons per month, according to Planning Ministry spokesman Abdul Zahra Hindawi.
