JEDDAH, 16 February 2004 — Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan will expand commercial and economic cooperation and set up a joint business council, said a statement issued after the Saudi-Azeri Joint Commission meetings in Riyadh yesterday. The meeting emphasized the need to exert more efforts to promote business cooperation between private establishments in both countries. The two sides will encourage industrial companies to establish joint ventures in vital sectors and set up an expert committee to coordinate and cooperate in oil affairs, the statement said. The meeting, chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Dr. Hashim Yamani and Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Premier Dr. Yaakub Ayubov, urged experts to finalize agreements to avoid double taxation and protect investment.