BIS to Scrap Iraq Reconstruction License Program

The Bureau of Industry and Security is issuing a final rule to remove from the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) the Special Iraq Reconstruction License (SIRL), which is “outdated” and rarely used by exporters, who have better options for exports and re-exports to and transfers within Iraq, BIS said (here). BIS established SIRL in 2004 to advance civil reconstruction and other projects in Iraq funded by specific entities, including the U.S. government, but exporters have not relied on the license, “apparently because of its complexity and narrowness,” the bureau said. BIS received no comments in response to the June 7 proposed rule on the matter (see 1606060012), and is adopting the proposed changes as final, it said.