Baghdad: The Ministry of Industry and Minerals announced on Tuesday the signing of a cooperation agreement between the General Company for Glass and Refractories and the Saudi Ajial Company to establish the largest integrated industrial complex for silica projects in Anbar Governorate.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Minister of Industry Khaled Battal stated that this project aligns with the Ministry of Industry’s vision to enhance Iraq’s industrial capacity. He emphasized that the agreement marks a significant turning point in industrial cooperation between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, representing a step towards diversifying income sources and developing national industries by utilizing local raw materials.

The ministry confirmed in its statement that Minister of Industry and Minerals Khaled Battal Al-Najm sponsored the signing of this historic cooperation agreement. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen industrial cooperation between Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by establishing a large
integrated joint industrial complex. The complex will rely on silica as a basic raw material to implement several future industrial projects, including flat glass, bottles and jars, ceramic sanitary ware, floor and wall ceramics, glass electrical insulators, and sodium silicate, among others.

The ministry added that this agreement is an important step toward strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of industry. It is expected to have a significant positive impact on the economic relations that bind Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The industrial complex will facilitate the use of silica as a key component in manufacturing a range of advanced industrial products, contributing to strengthening the national economy and increasing industrial production. This initiative is a move toward building a solid industrial base that provides job opportunities and enhances economic sustainability. The project is anticipated to bring about a qualitative shift in Iraq’s industrial sector and serve
as a strong pillar for sustainable economic development between the two countries.