Iraqi delegation in Saudi Arabia Wednesday for energy talks
A meeting between Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and a Saudi delegation.
Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) – A high-profile Iraqi delegation, under Planning Minister Salman Aljumaili, will head for Saudi Arabia Wednesday to discuss a number of files with Saudi officials, topped by energy.
The delegation will group Ministers Jabbar Alluaibi of Oil, Qasim al-Fahadawi of Electricity, and Kadhim al-Hammami of Transport.
The visit comes as part of directives by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
Jeddah is expected to host the delegation’s meetings.
The ministerial delegation will discuss with Saudi officials means of boosting mutual cooperation in the fields of energy and transportation.
Iraq is the second-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries after Saudi Arabia.
Crude exports account for 95 percent of state revenue and any disruptions could badly damage its already limping economy at a time when Iraq needs tens of billions of dollars to rebuild after the three-year war with Islamic State.
Prolonged instability in the south could drive up global oil prices. Production at the Zubair field was 475,000 bpd, an Iraqi oil official said in May.
Iraq exported an average of 3.566 million barrels per day from its southern oilfields so far in July, said senior oil officials, levels confirming that the troubles have not disrupted crude shipments from the region.