Saudi Arabia’s trade minister will visit Iraq in the coming days as the kingdom plans to partake in a Baghdad exhibition, the Iraqi ambassador in the kingdom said.
Rushdi al-Aani told London-based, Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat that a Saudi commerce delegation will take part in the Baghdad International Exhibition 2017 with more than 60 Saudi companies.
The exhibition is held between 10th and 20th of October, according to the ambassador.
Aani said the anticipated Saudi participation is unprecedented, with Saudi companies having reserved the largest portion of the venue to offer its products and consultancy services, noting that the fact reflects eagerness by both countries to boost economic and commercial exchange. He said that the reopening of the Arar border crossing between both countries in August after 27-year closure, will help increase the flow of goods.
Relations between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and the Shia-dominated Iraqi government have been tensional over the past few years due to Saudi Arabia’s opposition to the involvement of Iraqi Shia paramilitary forces in the fight against Islamic State. Saudi Arabia has always been irritated by the influence of Shia Iran, it arch regional enemy, over Iraqi politics. But the past months have seen an obvious rapprochement between both countries, with top-level officials exchanging visits and expressing eagerness to boost political, security and economic cooperation.
Updated 10 Oct 2017 | Soruce: Iraqi News |