Iraq, Saudi Arabia mull expediting Arar border crossing re-opening
(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BAGHDAD, March 26 (KUNA) -- Officials from Iraq and Saudi Arabia discussed Tuesday speeding up preparations for re-opening of the Arar border crossing and creation of joint trade zones.
The discussions were held at Arar border crossing between an Iraqi team headed by border crossings authority chief Kadhem Al-Aqabi and a Saudi delegation led by governor of the general customs authority Ahmad Al-Hakbani, announced the Iraqi border crossing authority in a press statement.
It noted that the two parties mulled ways to expedite operation of the crossing before the scheduled date.
They deliberated the issue of joint trade zones.
The Iraqi officials proposed opening trade zones on the Iraqi side of the border to create job opportunities for people of the adjacent areas and to be able to tighten control of the trade exchange, the statement pointed out.
The Iraqi side also demanded technical support from the Kingdom to streamline and mechanize government procedures for creating a one-stop-shop of trade exchange. (end) ahh.ibi
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