RIYADH, 7 November — Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, president of the Saudi Export Promotion Center, yesterday underscored the importance of the reopening of the Arar border crossing between the Kingdom and Iraq. He said the reopening of the border would sharply reduce the cost of transportation of Saudi exports to Iraq.
The United Nations office responsible for Iraq’s oil-for-food program said on Tuesday that the Arar border will be thrown open to Saudi traders from tomorrow.
Currently Saudi goods enter Iraq through third countries, mainly Jordan, meaning a big increase in the cost of transportation and other charges.
Al-Zamil commended the efforts of Interior Minister Prince Naif, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Finance and National Economy Ibrahim Al-Assaf and Commerce Minister Osama Faqeeh to get the border crossing reopened for trade.
A Saudi delegation to the United Nations has also been making strenuous efforts in this regard.
The Iraqi government has approved 89 Saudi establishments to export to the country under the UN program. With the entry of the new companies, the total number of Saudi companies exporting to Iraq will reach 130.
