Iraq's Development Road to include 6 airports and 15 industrial cities

Iraqi News

7 days ago

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq's Ministry of Transport recently unveiled key outcomes from a pivotal meeting led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani regarding the ambitious Development Road project. Held last Wednesday, the session brought together the Minister of Transport, the head of the Supreme Committee for Coordination Between Governorates, and various directors-general, advisors, along with a representative from Oliver Wyman, the project's economic consultant.
Maytham Al-Safi, Director of Relations and Media for the Ministry of Transport, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that discussions around the Development Road project have been continuous. These meetings have involved the Ministry of Transport, other relevant institutions, and both the Italian technical consultant (BTB) and the economic consultant, Oliver Wyman.
Delving into last Wednesday's meeting, Al-Safi explained that the Prime Minister stressed a clear commitment to implementing directives, particularly concerning the formation of a committee. This committee will be tasked with determining the final route between Iraq and Turkey, basing its decisions on technical and economic considerations. Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized resolving all existing challenges within the project and adhering to its strict timelines.
The meeting also featured a presentation by Oliver Wyman on the project's economic and financial model, according to Al-Safi. This presentation, a culmination of previous discussions with the Ministry of Transport, outlined the economic framework to be presented to the Prime Minister, leading to its finalization and preparation for investment offerings.
Regarding the project's current status, Al-Safi confirmed that the preliminary design phase has concluded, and significant progress has been made in the detailed design stage. The Ministry aims to present the project to major international companies by the end of the current year. The project will be strategically divided into sections to encourage competition among global firms, ensuring their adherence to international standards for successful implementation.
Beyond Iraq's borders, Al-Safi disclosed that several countries are already formal partners in the project, including Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, via signed Memoranda of Understanding. Additionally, another council has been formed, comprising Turkey, Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria, representing the European dimension of the initiative. Other nations also aspire to join the project, either in its execution or participation. Al-Safi highlighted recent visits from economic representatives of various embassies in Baghdad to the Ministry of Transport and the Supreme Committee for the Development Road project, including the Chinese economic advisor last year and the Australian and French ambassadors this year. These discussions underscored widespread international interest in the project, recognizing it as a global endeavor with implications beyond Iraq for the entire region and the world.
Ultimately, Al-Safi asserted that the Development Road project is poised to create thousands of job opportunities for Iraqis and fundamentally transform Iraq's economic transportation landscape. It is also expected to boost the national economic output, leading to comprehensive Iraqi economic integration, both domestically and internationally. The project's overarching policy aims for seamless connectivity across all sectors.
Al-Safi further clarified that the project will integrate three existing major airports—Baghdad, Basra, and Najaf—and will connect to three new airports slated to enter service: Nasiriyah, Karbalaa, and the recently opened Mosul airport. Moreover, the project will link to 15 industrial cities, emphasizing its role beyond mere transit. He concluded by stating that the project is an integrated developmental initiative, benefiting connecting provinces by utilizing their raw materials and generating investment opportunities through local governments, institutions, and ministries.