Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council Meet in Baghdad, King Salman Orders $1 Billion Grant to Iraq

WASHINGTON, April 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- H.E the Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr. Majid Al Qasabi led the Kingdom's delegation to the 2nd Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, held in Baghdad. Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil Thamir Al Ghadhban chaired the session in the presence of a number of Saudi and Iraqi officials. The meeting reviewed the latest developments regarding the outputs of the council's committees and discussed the priorities of the next phase, its implementation plan, and topics of the council's agenda.

Dr. Al Qasabi, the Minister of Trade and Investment, also announced the construction of a sports city for the people of Iraq, as a gift from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the provision of a $1 Billion grant from the Kingdom to Iraq, in order to contribute to its development, and enabling the Kingdom to become a key partner in the renaissance of Iraq. H.E said that there are 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding between the Saudi and Iraqi sides in various fields, which are in their final stages and will have a significant impact on raising the level of cooperation between the two countries to achieve the aspirations of their leaders and peoples. Dr. Al Qasabi also announced that the border port of Arar between the Kingdom and Iraq will be completed within six months. 

The Minister also announced the opening of the Kingdom's consulate in Baghdad, and the upcoming opening of three consulates in a number of key Iraqi provinces. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry affirmed that the participation of Foreign Minister Mohamed Al-Hakim in the opening ceremony of the consulate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Baghdad serves as an indicator of enhanced communication between the two brotherly countries. In a press statement, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said that this participation reflects the keenness of the two countries to facilitate consular services and provide facilities for those who want to visit the Holy sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or perform Hajj and Umrah, and to facilitate labor movement procedures and trade exchange between the two countries.

Finally, H.E Dr. Al Qasabi stressed the determination of the Government of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on supporting development projects in Iraq. Including the $500 Million grant announced by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al Jubeir last year in Kuwait, with the goal of enabling exports between the two countries, pointing out that the Kingdom will grant annual scholarships to the Iraqi people to study at Saudi universities.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office