Iraq’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals on Tuesday announced the signing of a major cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to establish the country’s largest integrated silica-based industrial complex in Anbar Province.

The deal was finalized between Iraq’s General Company for Glass and Refractories and Saudi Arabia’s Ajyal Company. According to the Iraqi News Agency, Industry Minister Khaled Battal described the agreement as a milestone in Iraq-Saudi industrial relations and a strategic advancement for Iraq’s economy.

“This project supports the ministry’s ongoing efforts to boost national industry and diversify the country's income sources,” Battal said. He emphasized that the complex will harness Iraq’s local raw materials, especially silica, to power a range of manufacturing sectors.

The planned facility will serve as a hub for silica-based production, including flat glass, containers such as bottles and jars, ceramic sanitary ware, floor and wall tiles, glass electrical insulators, and sodium silicate. These materials are essential in both construction and high-tech industries, positioning the project as a key driver of future industrial growth.

Officials say the complex will not only support Iraq’s goal of reducing dependence on imports but also contribute to sustainable development by creating jobs and building technical expertise within the country. The project is part of a broader government strategy to revitalize the industrial sector and attract foreign investment, particularly from regional partners.

The agreement highlights growing economic ties between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, two major players in the Middle East working to deepen cooperation beyond energy. It also reflects a shared interest in economic diversification amid fluctuating oil markets.

By focusing on silica — a widely available and underutilized resource in Iraq — the project aims to establish a competitive manufacturing base that can serve both domestic demand and regional export markets. Silica is a key input in many industrial processes, and its development is expected to open new avenues for Iraq’s industrial sector.

Battal noted that the partnership with Ajyal Company brings technical expertise and investment needed to jumpstart large-scale industrial operations. He expressed confidence that the initiative would lay the foundation for long-term collaboration between the two countries.

Construction timelines and projected outputs for the complex were not immediately disclosed. However, government officials say the agreement represents a tangible step toward achieving Iraq’s economic reform goals and fostering innovation within the country's manufacturing landscape.

The Ministry of Industry and Minerals is expected to provide further updates as the project progresses.