Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council to boost bilateral trade, cooperation: Commerce minister

Majid Al-Qassabi

RIYADH: Saudi Commerce and Investment Minister Majid Al-Qassabi said the Cabinet decision to establish the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council enhances the opportunities for trade exchange and joint cooperation to promote relations between the two countries.
“It reflects the Kingdom’s desire and keenness to open all areas of cooperation with Iraq to serve the common interests of the two brotherly countries,” said Al-Qassabi, who heads the council, which comprises a number of ministers and members from the relevant authorities.
“The Iraqi and Saudi people are from one social fabric, and they have a common cultural heritage,” the minister said. He maintained that there will be joint cooperation between the two sides in current international and regional affairs, also in safeguarding common interests and developing partnerships among the private sectors in the two countries.
Applauding the Cabinet’s decision to establish the council, Mohammed Al-Khunaizi, a senior member of the Shoura Council, described it as a significant step to enhance cooperation between the two countries at various levels. “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has opened new areas of cooperation, and this decision is in the direction of establishing good relations with the neighbors,” he underlined.
Majed Abdullah Al-Hedayan, a legal consultant, said the council will also be helpful in establishing international security and peace in the Middle East, adding that it will promote investment opportunities to establish vital infrastructure projects and increase the volume of trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
“This will also help achieve the aspirations of the peoples of the region to create an investment climate conducive to creating jobs for citizens, as well as contribute to programs for sustainable development and investment of human resources for the desired social welfare,” said Al-Hedayan.
The council aims to enhance communication between the two countries at the strategic level, deepen mutual political trust and open up new horizons of cooperation in various fields including economic development, security, investment, tourism, culture and media, as well as enhancing joint cooperation between the two sides in current international and regional affairs.