Al-Watan: Saudi Arabia - Iraq border crossing to open in two weeks

The chairman of the Saudi exports promotion center Abdul Rahman al-Zamel has announced that the "Jdedit Ar'ar" crossing which links Saudi Arabia to Iraq will open after two weeks.

In a statements quoted on Friday by the Saudi daily al-Watan, al-Zamel said that the Saudi side has been ready since one year for inaugurating the crossing which is used by pilgrims in every al-Haj season.

He called for signing a free trade agreement with Iraq because it will result in several benefits for both sides especially the Saudi exporters, namely exemption from taxes already paid, estimated at 30% on products which are exported to Iraq.

The Saudi official expressed his satisfaction over the UN consent to open Ar'ar crossing for Saudi exports.

Al-Zamel also expressed hope that some 100 Saudi businessmen, among those who will take part at Baghdad's International Fair in November, will use the crossing to go to Baghdad. He stressed that opening the border crossing will increase the volume of the Saudi exports and trade exchange which he described as witnessing accelerated progress.