In 2021, Canadian exports to Saudi Arabia amounted to $2.2 billion and imports represented $2.4 billion, according to official figures from the Canadian government.
Canadian imports consisted almost entirely of oil and petrochemicals, the government said.
The 2018 row erupted in the wake of a Saudi crackdown on women’s rights activists.
Canada at the time said it was “gravely concerned” over the new wave of arrests of rights campaigners, including award-winning women’s rights activist Samar Badawi, and called on Riyadh to “immediately release them.”
Even as Saudi Arabia instigates sweeping social and economic changes as part of its “Vision 2030” reform agenda, human rights remain a concern to critics.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia has been criticised for decades-long prison terms handed down to two women who tweeted and retweeted posts critical of the government.
In 2022, Saudi Arabia executed 147 people in total — more than double the 2021 figure of 69, according to an AFP tally.
Source- Hindustan Times.