The Federal Iraqi Companies Registrar has issued an ultimatum to dissident companies registered in Iraq to comply with the requirements to register an Iraqi website with an Iraqi top-level domain (.iq) and to lease an Iraqi Post Office Box (P.O. Box). Failure to comply with the foregoing will result in suspension of corporate files.
The Federal Iraqi Corporate Registrar has granted a sixty-day grace period starting from 16 January 2024 to comply.
Registration of Iraqi TLD
The Federal Budget Law for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 provides that the Ministry of Trade must, in coordination with the Iraqi Communication and Media Commission impose an obligation on all registered companies to use the Iraqi Top Level Domain (TLD) (.iq). Registration of the Iraqi TLD must be made through the CMC as the regulator and administrator of the Iraq TLD (i.q).
The Companies Registrar announced on 16 January 2024 that a CMC representative shall be available at its premises for a two-week period to facilitate the registration of the Iraqi TLD by companies registered in Iraq.
Leasing P.O. Boxes
The Federal Budget Law for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 also requires the Ministry of Trade to ensure that all registered companies lease P.O. Boxes in Iraq from the State Company for Postal Services and Savings – Ministry of Communication. No representative will be available at the Companies Registrar and leasing must be done through the nearest branch of the State Company for Postal Services and Savings directly by each registered company.
Non-compliance
Non-compliance with the foregoing within the stipulated sixty-day grace period will result in suspension of the corporate file until evidence of registration of the (.iq) TLD and leasing a post office is presented to the Companies Registrar in Baghdad. Fines may also be imposed in case of non-compliance.
If you would like more information about this topic then please contact us.
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