Iraq expands border crossings with Saudi Arabia to boost trade

In the context of strengthening economic relations, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are diversifying their trade outlets, intending to increase trade exchange to more than $3 billion annually.
Iraq economy
A picture taken on October 21, 2017 shows Saudi food products on display at the Saudi Pavilion at the Baghdad International Fair in the Iraqi capital. - SABAH ARAR/AFP via Getty Images
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Salam Zidane
@salamzaidaniraq

Iraq and Saudi Arabia agreed on Nov. 6 to open a second border crossing between the two countries.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have both advocated economic openness and more expansive economic integration in the Gulf. The opening of the Arar crossing in 2020 was a first step to reopen the four border posts that were closed after the second Gulf War. Trade between the nations currently amounts to $1 billion annually.

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