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An Iraqi-Saudi agreement to facilitate trade exchange


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Iraq-Saudi Arabia border crossing opens for the first time since 1990

 

The Arar crossing has been closed since 1990 after the two countries cut ties following Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait

 
/image/policy:1.1113716:1605700560/IRAQ-SAUDI-BORDER.jpg?f=16x9&w=1200&$p$f$w=403f989 Iraq and Saudi Arabia reopened the Arar desert crossing, a long-awaited sign of closer trade ties after 30 years of sealed land borders between the two countries. AFP

Iraq and Saudi Arabia opened the Arar border crossing for trade for the first time in three decades, the Iraqi border ports commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

Arar has been closed since 1990 after the two countries cut ties following Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. Iraqi and Saudi Arabian officials, including the ambassador to Iraq, toured the site on Wednesday.

 

Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi had an online with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss Saudi investments in Iraq.

There are 13 joint co-operation agreements between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the fields of infrastructure, investment, energy and electrical connection, which would reduce Iraq's purchase of gas from Iran.

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The Arar border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Iraq opened, closed since Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990

Posted in: 11/18/2020 - 12:37

A picture dated January 1, 1996, shows former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein during a visit to the city of Mosul in northern Iraq
A picture dated January 1, 1996 showing the former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein during a visit to the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. © AFP
 
2 minutes

The Iraqi Border Crossing Authority announced, Wednesday, in a statement, the opening of the Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia for trade, for the first time since 1990, after the two countries severed relations following Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait.

 

The Iraqi Border Ports Authority decided on Wednesday to open the Arar border crossing with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for trade exchange between the two countries for the first time in thirty years.

The opening ceremony took place in the presence of the Iraqi Minister of Interior, Othman Al-Ghanimi, and the Saudi ambassador to Iraq, along with a number of government officials.

Saudi Arabia cut its relations with the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein after its invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and did not resume them until 2017, nearly 15 years after the fall of the Iraqi dictator and the arrival of a political class dominated by Shiites loyal to Iran.

Riyadh is seeking to forcefully return to the Iraqi market, which was flooded with Iranian and Turkish products, after it was an industrial and agricultural country.

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The Iraqi Ports Authority announces the official opening of the Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia

The Iraqi Ports Authority announces the official opening of the Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia
A part of the attendance ceremony during the opening ceremony
 November 18, 2020 2:04 PM

Mubasher The Iraqi Border Ports Authority announced today, Wednesday, the official opening of the Arar border crossing with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for commercial traffic between the two countries .

The authority stated in a statement that the Minister of Interior, Othman Al-Ghanmi, opened the outlet on behalf of the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi .

It indicated that the opening ceremony was attended by Major General Omar Adnan Al-Waeli, head of the Border Ports Authority, and the Saudi ambassador to Iraq, along with a number of government officials .

The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, said in a press conference today, Wednesday, that Saudi Arabia is one of the 5 richest countries in the world to place its investments in Iraq .

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After the opening of Arar, 16 Saudi trucks loaded with medical supplies entered Iraq
 

photo 2020 11 18 14 19 22

  
(Baghdad: Al Furat News) 16 convoys arrived from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, today, Wednesday, loaded with medical equipment, provided by the King Salman Center to the Iraqi government to confront the Corona pandemic.

Today, Wednesday, Iraq and Saudi Arabia opened a new port of Arar, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, amid an official ceremony, attended by the Iraqi Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Othman Al-Ghanmi, and the head of the Border Ports Authority, Omar Al-Waeli, and on the Saudi side, official and security figures in the country. Saudi Arabia honored the Minister of Interior, Al-Ghanimi, as one of the elements of success.

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Finance: Opening an Arar outlet will contribute to maximizing revenues and strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia
  
{Baghdad: Al Furat News} The Ministry of Finance announced today, Wednesday, the official opening of the Arar border crossing between the Iraqi and Saudi side, in the presence of an official delegation from both sides.

The media office said in a statement, the Euphrates News received a copy of it, that "in the presence of the Director of the General Authority for Customs Sadiq Howeidi Abbas, a representative of the Minister of Finance, the Arar border crossing was opened in front of the trade exchange between the two countries, as it is an important economic artery, which will contribute to maximizing state revenues. And strengthening relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. "
"The opening was attended by the representative of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Othman Al-Ghanimi, headed by a government delegation and in the presence of the governor of Anbar, the governor of Karbala, the deputy commander of joint operations, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, Major General Omar Adnan Al-Waeli, head of the Border Ports Authority and Commander of Anbar Police." 
He pointed out that "the Saudi side represented the Saudi ambassador to Iraq, the director of the Saudi ports, and a number of Saudi government officials. 

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Officially, the opening of the Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
  
{Baghdad: Al Furat News} The Border Ports Authority announced the opening of the Arar border crossing today, officially between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, for trade exchange between the two countries.

A statement by the outlets, the Euphrates News Agency received a copy of it, said: “The Minister of Interior, Othman Al-Ghanmi, appointed the Prime Minister of the Iraqi side, in the presence of the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, Major General Omar Adnan Al-Waeli, Chairman of the Border Ports Authority, the governors of Anbar and Karbala, and the leaders of Anbar and Border Police.”
The Saudi side was represented by the Saudi ambassador to Iraq and a number of government officials.
Ammar Al-Masoudi

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4 hours ago, Longtimelurker said:

Does anyone recall hearing about this in the past? I dont.. 

 

You cant just open a port without serious planning beforehand. I wonder what else is ready to go? 

 

I like this news, its yuge!

What I found on google is that this Is actually A Reopening ceremony ... has been there all along 👍🏻

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IRAQ-SAUDI ARABIA BORDER CROSSING REOPENED FOR TRADE AFTER THREE-DECADE CLOSURE

181120201431WEB-wo13-saudi-arar.jpg
A general view of Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The crossing was opened after three-decade closure on November 18, 2020. (Photo Credit: AFP/ File Photo)

13 Hours ago

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SULAIMANI —Iraq’s Border Ports Authority said on Wednesday (November 18) that Arar border crossing has been opened for trade exchange besides travel between Iraq and Saudi Arabia after it was closed down for 30 years following the then Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait in 1990.

The border point was reopened In a ceremony attended by Iraqi Interior Minister Othman al-Ghanmi, Deputy Commander of the Joint Operations Command Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, Head of the Border Ports Authority Adnan al-Waeli, Karbala and Anbar governor and several other military and administrative officials, while the Saudi delegation was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Iraq Abdul Aziz bin Khalid Al-Shammari along with of Saudi officials, the border commission said in a statement.

Arar border crossing was shuttered in 1990 after both countries severed ties following the then Iraq’ government’s occupation of Kuwait.

It is the only border crossing between both countries and was open once in a year to the Iraqi pilgrims in the past years

(NRT Digital Media)

 

https://nrttv.com/En/News.aspx?id=25097&MapID=2

 

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2020-11-18_22-35-38_064658.jpg

Baghdad - Abdul Hussain Ghazal

 

On Wednesday, the Iraqi and Saudi authorities reopened the Arar border crossing, which has been closed for thirty years, to trade exchange Between the two countries, in an indication of a new rapprochement between Riyadh and Baghdad.

Saudi Arabia cut its relations with Saddam Hussein's regime after its invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and effectively resumed it in 2017, Nearly 15 years after the fall of Saddam. Riyadh is likely to seek a return to the Iraqi market, which is engulfed in Iranian and Turkish goods.

The reopening of the crossing clearly arouses the ire of the Iraqi armed factions loyal to Iran, which accuse Saudi Arabia of trying "Colonizing" Iraq under the guise of investments.

A statement issued by a newly formed faction strongly rejected the rapprochement between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the largest Sunni power in the region .

The statement issued by the "Companions of the Cave" threatened that "the Islamic Resistance Intelligence" is the axis of the pro-Iranian factions It closely follows every movement of the Saudi enemy on the Iraqi borders, as well as the phone calls between Mohammed bin Salman And Mustafa Al-Kazemi ».

But Al-Kazemi defended the move, and said during a press conference Tuesday, "There are those who are promoting the lie of Saudi colonialism." ! This is a defect, and a defect for those who say that there is colonialism in his country. The Iraqi does not accept grievance and does not accept that it be controlled by a foreigner.

"Has investment turned into colonialism? Has hundreds of thousands of job opportunities been created for our children through." Is the investment colonialism? ”

And between Riyadh and Iran, which has great influence in Iraq, and Ankara, there is rivalry and tension.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Minister of Interior Othman Al-Ghanimi and Deputy Commander of Joint Operations Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Al-Shammari and Chief The Border Ports Authority, Major General Omar Adnan Al-Waeli, the governors of Anbar and Karbala, and the commanders of the Anbar and Border Police. A number of Iraqi officials moved to the border to participate officially in the reopening of the crossing.

The Saudi side was represented by an official delegation that came from Riyadh. Representatives from both sides cut red tape as trucks lined up behind them, waiting to cross.

The industrial and agricultural sectors in Iraq suffer from recession, amid an escalating economic and living crisis. The crossing will also be open to individuals.

The move to open the crossing came in the presence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi (a Shiite, as well as all prime ministers.) In the country after 2003) in power, he establishes a personal friendship with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Al-Kazemi's first scheduled foreign visit, after taking office in May, was to Riyadh, but it was canceled At the last moment, due to health problems that the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz, faced at the time.   And in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which have been affected by the drop in oil prices, regularly since August / August 2017, within the framework of a joint coordination committee.

Last week, a high-ranking Saudi delegation visited Baghdad, where it met with Iraqi officials, and a delegation visited that An Iraqi similar to Saudi Arabia.

The Arar border crossing is located in Anbar Governorate, which extends in the west and southwest of Iraq, and shares borders with Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia. The move aims to allow the passage of goods and travelers, which means another gateway for imports entering Iraq, which It currently imports the bulk of its needs from Iran, the second largest country in terms of trade exchange with Iraq .

Because of the stifling economic crisis, the Iraqi government delayed paying its employees for several weeks.

- Electrical connection -

During the past years, the Arar crossing was open only to the passage of Iraqi pilgrims heading to Mecca to perform rituals Pilgrimage

The two countries are also seeking to reopen the Al-Jumaymah crossing, which is a second land crossing in southern Iraq.

Iraq shares borders with Syria and Jordan to the west, Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, and Saudi Arabia and Kuwait from the South

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met Saudi officials during a visit to Saudi Arabia in June 2017, four months after a visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir to Baghdad at the time, It was the first at this level since 2003. This was followed by the organization of a commercial airline flight, the first between Baghdad and Riyadh, which contributed to accelerating rapprochement between the two countries.

A year ago, Iraq signed an agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to import about 500 megawatts of electricity by 2020, to address the acute shortage of electricity that the Iraqis lack. The hours of power cuts sometimes reach 20 hours per day.

But until now, the agreement was likely not implemented due to the repercussions of the Covid-19 epidemic, but also because of Mismanagement of the state in Iraq.

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The Iraqi ambassador on the opening of Arar: Iraq cannot separate from its Arab depth
  
(Baghdad: Al Furat News) The Iraqi ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Qahtan Taha Khalaf, confirmed that the re-opened Arar port is a major artery.

On Wednesday, he said that the Arar port establishes for the entry of Saudi investments into Iraq.

He also added, "We are proud of our relations with our brothers," stressing, "Iraq cannot separate from its Arab depth."

It is noteworthy that the Border Ports Authority in Iraq had announced earlier, Wednesday, the official opening of the Arar border crossing with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for trade exchange between the two countries, after nearly 30 years of its closure.

The commission said in a statement that "the Minister of Interior, Othman Al-Ghanimi, represented Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, and the inauguration took place in the presence of Iraqi leaders." The Saudi side was also represented by the Saudi ambassador, Abdulaziz Al-Shammari in Iraq, and a number of government officials.

It is noteworthy that the Arar port between Iraq and Saudi Arabia was closed during the Second Gulf War in 1990, and reopened again in 2013 partially and within a limited range, but it was closed again after ISIS controlled the cities of western and northern Iraq 6 years ago.

Raghad Daham

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  •  Time: 11/18/2020 21:11:38
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  •  Read: 2,002 times
Al-Rafidain Bank opens a branch at the Arar port
  
{Baghdad: Al Furat News} The government-owned Rafidain Bank has opened a branch at the Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Today, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have officially reopened the Arar border crossing for trade exchange between the two countries, after 30 years of closure.
Observers see the move to reopen the crossing as an indication of rapprochement between Riyadh and Baghdad.
Ammar Al-Masoudi

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Saudi Corporation: Opening the Arar port is a big step towards economic and political integration between the two countries
  
{Baghdad: Al Furat News} described the Saudi Experience Forum, a major step towards economic and political integration between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

"The Saudi market is promising for the Iraqi product, whether it is at the level of agricultural production or in the field of various industries," said the president of the forum, Ahmed Al-Shehri {for Al Furat News}.
He added, "Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazimi has made great efforts to include the land ports into the bosom of the state, as it is a double-edged sword that is usually an artery for the state's economy, or outlets for smuggling." 
Al-Shehri described the step of opening the Arar border crossing as "a very big step within the framework of the path of economic and political integration between the two countries."
Al-Shehri concluded, "Iraq has a large basket of food products and can enrich the Saudi market," stressing, "near the rehabilitation of security and service projects in Iraq."
And the Border Ports Authority announced the opening of the Arar border crossing, on Wednesday morning, and officially between Iraq and Saudi Arabia for trade exchange between the two countries.
Wafa Al-Fatlawi

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A new era in Saudi-Iraqi relations with the inauguration of "Jadidah-Arar"

After nearly 3 decades of closure ... and Baghdad is looking forward to the opening of the Al-Jumaymah port
Thursday - 3 Rabi Al Thani 1442 AH - 19 November 2020 AD Issue No. [15332]
 
 
 
 
1605728009572755100.jpg?itok=kfvIFIzV
 
 
 
1605727786972724800_0.jpg?itok=upBS2wP5
 
1605728009572755100.jpg?itok=KYxIhdaA
 
 
Arar: Abdul Hadi Habtoor - Baghdad: "Asharq Al-Awsat"

After nearly three decades of being closed, the "Jadidah - Arar" border crossing link between Saudi Arabia and Iraq was opened yesterday, in a move described by the officials of the two countries as "historic", which is expected to open broad horizons for economic development, trade and investment.

Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan, Governor of the Northern Borders Region, affirmed that the opening of the port will strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and represent a start towards a new era, in the interest of common interests, conveying the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince.

For his part, Lieutenant General Othman Al-Ghanmi, the Iraqi Interior Minister, described the moment of the opening of the "Jdeideh - Arar" port as "historic" that will be immortalized and remembered by history in letters of light, as he put it.

He said in a speech to him: “I am glad to be among my brothers and in my second country, Saudi Arabia, in a historical pause that will be immortalized and remembered by history in letters of light, and to be a representative of the state of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi to attend this blessed historical ceremony to open a new outlet - Arar between the two brother countries Saudi Arabia and Iraq.” .
iraq-saudi6756767.jpg

Al-Ghanmi pointed out that this historic opportunity is to open new historical horizons that contribute to the development of the two countries' economies and the strengthening of cultural, historical and social ties. He added, "History is always renewing and repeating itself. When we stand on this day, we cannot help but thank King Salman bin Abdulaziz for sponsoring the Saudi grant for this giant project, which is the first step in the right direction."

The Iraqi Minister of Interior expressed his country's aspiration to open the Al-Jumaymah port in the Salman region in the Badia of Samawah to increase trade exchange, and added: “Today's (Jdeidah - Arar) port is breathing again with a new look, new horizons and advanced historical relations between the two countries in this difficult circumstance that passes. The whole world is witnessing the Corona pandemic and the drop in oil prices In such historical positions, we seek to achieve economic integration between the two countries, and here is the first building block, and we will harvest the fruits together.

In turn, Ahmed Al-Haqbani, Director of the Saudi General Authority of Customs, explained that the opening of the port by the Saudi and Iraqi sides is a historic event that represents for the two countries and their peoples great importance in view of what it will achieve in terms of strengthening economic and social relations.

He pointed out that the project “is gaining great importance, and confirms that the relations between the two countries are based on strong ties and fraternal feelings, which the two countries seek to strengthen, and the port will have a great and positive impact on the city of Arar and the northern borders that have the ingredients and enablers to stimulate trade and a gateway for the Kingdom's exports to and from.”

He added, "Together, we are looking forward to a future full of opportunities in all fields between the two countries, and the capabilities of the implementers will contribute to the development of the border region, facilitate the movement of intra-trade and enhance the volume of trade exchange with the aspiration of the leaderships of the two countries."

The inauguration of the qualitative project comes with Saudi Arabia looking to raise investments in Iraq to 10 billion riyals (2.6 billion dollars), according to the coordination work committees between the two countries, which called for the importance of accelerating the formation of the joint business council and facilitating the work of companies and the Saudi private sector, at a time he highlighted. Iraq is an investment portfolio of 6 thousand projects worth 100 billion dollars.

From the Saudi side, which is 75 kilometers from the Saudi city of Arar, the crossing includes the commercial exchange area, government installations and residential buildings.

The construction and improvements of the "Jadidah - Arar" port on the Saudi side and the "Arar" port on the Iraqi side are located on a total area of 1.6 million square meters, and it includes a "logistical area" that will serve as the economic gateway to the northern part of Saudi Arabia, and the start towards strengthening economic relations between the two countries. And towards new horizons of cooperation in the economic and development fields, which will also contribute to facilitating the intra-regional trade movement.

Among the most prominent components of the project, with regard to the "Jdeideh - Arar" port, is the establishment of a yard for the export and import areas, and the rehabilitation of the inspection yards and their related buildings and security buildings, in line with the standards for developing the work environment, rehabilitating staff housing and the international road, and improving the visual perspective. For the port, while the Iraqi side includes the establishment of a new and integrated port for the movement of freight and passengers on arrival and departure, which includes systems for radiological examination of goods and trucks, a truck weighing system, a power station to feed the port, another for water purification, a drain, a mosque, warehouses, and parking lots for trucks.

The crossing is one of the administrative centers of the city of Arar in the northern border region, and it is 10 kilometers from the Iraqi border, while it contains all services for residents of the port, schools for all levels for male and female students, and a government hospital, in addition to housing for border guards and another for customs, and separates Al-Jadida and the Iraqi borders and Wadi Arar From the west, and Shuaib Suef from the east.

A border strip connects Saudi Arabia with Iraq exceeding 830 kilometers, surrounded by an iron fence supported by modern electronic technology through which everything that is located on and near the borders can be monitored, and the rate of smuggling between the two countries recorded a decrease of nearly 100 percent.

Since 1990, after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, relations between Baghdad and Riyadh were severed, and all kinds of political, economic and trade relations stopped with them. Despite the change of the previous regime in 2003, the Iraqi-Saudi relations did not begin at the level of embassies until 2012.

During the government of former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the first Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council was established. Although this Council was activated during the government of former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, it did not begin in practice until the current Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi's term.

During the past week, dozens of memoranda of understanding and agreements were signed between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in various fields and fields, at a time when it was announced that the parties intend to open the Arar port, which was already opened yesterday in order to start a new phase of relations between the two brotherly countries.

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Iraq clarifies the controls of trade exchange operations at the Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia

Iraq clarifies the controls of trade exchange operations at the Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia
Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia
 November 19, 2020 08:07 PM

Mubasher: Omar Adnan Al-Waeli, head of the border crossings in Iraq, confirmed today, Thursday, that there is an Iraqi-Saudi agreement that the trade exchange process will be in the exchange arena on the Iraqi side.

Al-Waeli said, in an interview with Al-Iraqiya News, followed by the Iraqi News Agency, “Conscious,”: “It is an Iraqi-Saudi agreement that the trade exchange process be in the exchange arena located on the Iraqi side, meaning that Saudi cars do not enter Iraq, and Iraqi cars do not enter Saudi Arabia. Inside the arena. "

He stressed that the coming days will be an essential support for the economy, noting that "the port has been equipped in all respects and operating circles, and that the employees have been present for two months, as well as providing the necessary protection by the joint operations and the leadership of Anbar and Karbala operations."

He added that the land port is for the exchange and transportation of travelers throughout the year, explaining that Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi has assigned the Minister of Finance sufficient powers to contract with an electronic automation company with the aim of checking papers and avoiding fraud and wasting public money.

The head of the ports indicated that the Prime Minister had shown great interest in reconstructing the rest of the ports from the commercial and tourism aspect.

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Saudi Arabia and Iraq’s gateway to prosperity

Author
November 20, 202022:00
272
 
 
 
 
 
 
2355446-1605898893-1005366.jpeg Saudi Governor of the Northern Borders Region Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan, Arar Border check post, Saudi Arabia, November 18, 2020. (Reuters)

The opening of the Jadidah-Arar border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Iraq after its closure for almost three decades is a historic step that will broaden opportunities for economic development, trade and investment.
There is no doubt that the move is the result of painstaking efforts that Riyadh has been making for years since the formation of coordination councils between the two countries. Both neighbors have worked tirelessly to achieve this and have sought to return relations to their previous status. In addition there was also a desire to extend a helping hand to our Iraqi brothers in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn resulting from the outbreak.
The opening of this qualitative project comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is seeking to increase investments in Iraq to SR10 billion ($2.7 billion). The coordination work committees recognize the importance of accelerating the formation of the joint business council and facilitating the work of Saudi companies and the private sector. Iraq has highlighted an investment portfolio of 6,000 projects worth $100 billion. This includes a port on Saudi territory, 75 km from the Saudi city of Arar, in a trade exchange area that includes government installations and residential buildings.
The construction and improvement project for the Jadidah-Arar port on the Saudi side and the Arar port on Iraqi soil is located in a total area of 1.6 million square meters. It includes a logistical area that will serve as an economic gateway for the northern part of Saudi Arabia and also strengthen economic relations between the two countries. There will also be new areas of cooperation in the economic and development fields, which will also contribute to facilitating the intra-regional trade movement.
There will be many opportunities and investments of great benefit to both countries. During the past week, dozens of memoranda of understanding and agreements in various fields were signed between Iraq and the Kingdom. This occurred as the two parties’ intentions to open the Arar port were announced and were seen as the beginning of a new phase in relations between the two countries.
Cooperation in the economic field and also in security and intelligence will be accompanied by cooperation in other fields for the benefit of both countries. Both have been targeted by terrorism which, especially in Iraq, has harmed security and stability. Iraq suffers from the presence of many terrorist organizations and Iranian militias which seek to influence Baghdad to follow Tehran.
Today, those militias are opposed to any rapprochement and Saudi investment because they know that the Saudi presence will make Iraq, along with its people and government, comfortable and willing to work with the Kingdom. Riyadh’s policy is always to extend a helping hand and participate in growth and prosperity, and this is what distinguishes it from Tehran, whose policy is to support terrorism and the formation of sectarian terrorist militias that divide countries, and produce ruin and devastation.
This is what the people of Iraq may experience since the position of Saudi Arabia is well known in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria. The world has seen how Tehran entered those countries in order to destroy them with its militias, both terrorist and sectarian.
Iraq is more firmly bound to the Kingdom than it is to Iran. The social and cultural ties between Riyadh and Baghdad are great. With that in mind, these two countries can work for the future security and stability of both while, at the same time, guaranteeing long-lasting and fruitful relations.
The unification of efforts and experiences in both countries will benefit not only Baghdad and Riyadh, but also the region’s economy, security and stability. It will block those who want to stop this joint work and also encourage other Arab countries to join in cooperation that will accelerate the return of Iraq to its place in the Arab world.

Riyadh and Baghdad are looking to a future that will benefit both countries.

Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri

Cooperation will increase job opportunities for the Iraqi people who today are in dire need of these opportunities for future generations. In addition, most of the region depends on oil for its income; the price of oil fluctuates and it is not what it was in the past. It is income from a single source. The diversification of economies and investments have become today’s great needs. Work on this requires concerted effort and must be implemented in various ways, including trade exchanges and economic investments that will bear fruit.
None of this, however, can be achieved by agreements alone, but rather by working to rid the region of foreign interference in the policies of countries along with the weapons carried by terrorist militias operating outside the framework of the state. Since these two factors are the biggest obstacles to economic growth and the success of economic investments, the entire region must work to confront and deter both, not only for the sake of security and stability but also for the sake of peace and prosperity.
Riyadh and Baghdad are looking to a future that will benefit both countries. Each has worked to make this happen in spite of those who oppose progress that is in everybody’s interest. The opening of the Jadidah-Arar border crossing is only the beginning.

  • Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri is a political analyst and international
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