Saudi Arabian Trade with Qatar Resumed

Saudi Arabian trade with Qatar resumed. There has been no commercial activity between the two countries for 3.5 years.

Commercial activities between Qatar and Saudi Arabia through the Abu Semra Border Gate started again after 3.5 years. In the statement made by the Qatar Customs General Administration, it was noted that the procedures of the commercial movement that came to and passed from the Selva Border Gate in Saudi Arabia to the Abu Semra Border Gate in Qatar were completed and started. In the statement, it was stated that truck drivers coming from the Selva Border Gate should receive a certificate with a validity period of 72 hours, approved by the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia, showing that the Covid19 test was performed. It was informed that drivers and trucks transporting products to the country through the Abu Semra Border Gate will not be allowed to enter Qatar, and the goods will be taken by the importers and loaded into their own trucks. On June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut all diplomatic relations with Qatar on the grounds that they "support terrorist groups" and imposed an economic embargo on this country. While Qatar did not accept the aforementioned accusation, this situation created a crisis in the Gulf region. As a result of the efforts made to end the crisis, on January 4, Kuwait Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser Mohammed es-Sabah announced that an agreement was reached to open land, sea and air borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stated at the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit held in the city of Al-Ula on January 5, that countries that imposed an embargo on Qatar have re-established diplomatic relations with Doha and the embargo has been lifted.       Source: TRT News