Iraq, Qatar review cooperation in transport sector
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the Qatari Minister of Transport, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, discussed on Sunday strategies to enhance cooperation in the transport and ports sectors.
During their meeting in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the two sides reviewed strategies aiming to advance Iraq's strategic project known as the Development Road. They also discussed potential opportunities for establishing integrated projects along both sides of the road to enhance economic growth, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Along with opportunities to grow the aviation industry in a way that would promote transportation and trade across multiple levels, the meeting also addressed strategies to foster collaboration in the areas of ports, airports, and public transportation management.
Under the direction of the Iraqi prime minister and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a quadripartite agreement on the Iraq Development Road project was signed in April 2024 by Iraq, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
As the four countries create the structures required to implement the project, the agreement seeks to strengthen collaboration with regard to Iraq's Development Road.
Since the Development Road would accomplish economic integration and sustainability between East and West, it is anticipated that the strategic project will promote economic growth and foster regional and worldwide cooperative connections.
The Iraqi Minister of Transport, Razzaq Al-Saadawi, revealed in early November that Turkey formed a council involving Bulgaria, Hungary, and Serbia to arrange the connection of Europe with Iraq's Development Road.
Al-Saadawi mentioned that the ministry has already started working on the final designs of the Development Road's railways after the initial designs have been completed.
The project includes the construction of a railway to transport commodities, with a first-phase capacity of 3.5 million tons and a second-phase capacity of 7.5 million tons.
Along with pipelines for energy transportation, the project will also feature a roadway for land transportation.
Through the expansion of a road and rail network, Iraq's $17 billion Development Road project aims to connect the Al-Faw Grand Port in southern Iraq with the Turkish border.
As a global corridor for the transport of goods and energy, the project is anticipated to draw international trade and provide Iraq and the neighboring countries with different job and investment opportunities.
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