RIYADH, 10 September — Saudi Arabia has given the go-ahead to a big business team to visit Baghdad for the first time since the two countries broke ties over Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait 12 years ago, an official said yesterday.
Major Saudi firms plan to take part in Baghdad’s main trade fair in November as the two countries expand trade ties, said Ibrahim Foudah, executive director of the Saudi Exports Centre. “We have received confirmed bookings from 45 Saudi firms to participate and we expect the number to reach at least 60 to 70 firms,” Foudah said.
The Saudi products and services to be promoted in the fair include construction, food, pipeline and electrical goods, the official said.
Iraqi officials in recent months have expressed hopes of normalized ties with Saudi Arabia. Both countries see growing commercial ties paving the way for resumption of diplomatic ties, diplomats say.
Foudah said he expected Saudi firms would sign deals worth at least $250 million during the trade fair alone. Saudi businessmen said the government has been encouraging them to conduct business dealings with Baghdad in recent months after lifting restrictions. They said an expected decision soon by the two neighbors to reopen their land border closed since 1990 would boost exports now sent indirectly through Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
