The Iraqi ambassador to the Kingdom, Ghanim Alwan Al-Jumaili, has said that his government is working with Saudi authorities to accelerate the reopening of the Arar border crossing to give a boost to trade exchange between the two countries. Al-Jumaili, visiting the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday, also revealed that talks were being held to open another crossing point at Al-Jumaimah in the Eastern Province, but gave no further details. According to Al-Jumaili, Saudi goods are failing to compete on the Iraqi market due to price differences resulting from their indirect importation via neighboring countries like Kuwait, Jordan and UAE. Adnan Al-Naeem, Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce, said there were many investment opportunities in the Iraqi market and that the Saudi private sector was looking to raise exports to Iraq and participate in its development and reconstruction plans. Al-Naeem said that exports from the Kingdom to Iraq had risen in 2007 to SR1.469 billion from SR498 million in 2006 and SR253 million in 2005.
