Iraq Development Road
The Iraq Development Road (Arabic: طريق التنمية, romanized: Ṭarīq al-tanmiyah) is an ongoing infrastructure project aiming to connect Asia with Europe by establishing a network of railways, roads, ports, and cities. It will link the Grand Faw Port in southern Iraq to Turkey's border and further extend into Europe.[1][2]
Nicknamed the Dry Canal (Arabic: القناة الجافة, romanized: al-Qanāh al-jāffah), the project is expected to turn the country into a transit center by shortening travel time between Asia and Europe, in an attempt to compete with Egypt's Suez Canal. It is also expected to strengthen Iraq's geopolitical position in the region and the world. In addition, it will increase security and stability in the region.[3][4]
Overview
In May 2023, Baghdad hosted a summit which brought together transport ministers and officials from the European Union, the World Bank, GCC, Iran, Turkey, Syria and Jordan to discuss the establishment of the Development Road initiative. During the summit, Iraqi officials noted that "Iraq has recovered and retrieved its pivotal political role in the region, becoming a political convergence point, the time has come for the country to retrieve its economic role".[5]
In April 2024, and during a visit to Baghdad by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, quadrilateral memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation in Development Road project signed between Iraq, Turkey, Qatar, UAE. The deal was signed by the transportation ministers from each country. The 1,200-kilometer project with railway and highways which will connect the Great Faw Port, aimed to be the largest port in the Middle East. It is planned to be completed by 2025 to the Turkish border at an expected cost of $17 billion.[6][7]
Observers and decision-makers note that the project is planned to be completed in three stages by 2028, 2033 and 2050 and will open Iraq to the world through Turkey, and will generate $4 billion annually and create at least 100,000 jobs.[8][9][10]
In July 2024, the Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced that it had signed a contract with consulting firm Oliver Wyman to conduct the economic model for the Development Road. The firm will help market the project, supervise investments, and provide economic advisory services for strategic government projects.[11]
See also
References
- ^ "Iraq, Turkey, Qatar, UAE sign preliminary deal to cooperate on Development Road project". Reuters. April 22, 2024.
- ^ "The Development Road will enhance the region economically, says PM Al-Sudani". Iraqi News Agency. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "The Development Road will enhance the region economically, says PM Al-Sudani". Iraqi News Agency. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "PM Kadhimi lays foundation stone of Basra's Grand Faw port". rudaw.net. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ Mahmoud, Sinan (2023-05-27). "Iraq showcases $17-billion Development Road project that will link Asia to Europe". The National. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "Iraq, Turkiye, Qatar, UAE sign quadripartite agreement for Development Road project". Shafaq News. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "Turkey, Iraq, Qatar and UAE sign transportation deal that hopes to connect Gulf to Europe". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "Türkiye-Iraq Development Road Project: Enhancing regional connectivity, trade". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "Iraq, Turkiye, Qatar, UAE sign quadripartite agreement for Development Road project". Shafaq News. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ Mahmoud, Sinan (2023-05-27). "Iraq showcases $17-billion Development Road project that will link Asia to Europe". The National. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "Iraq taps Oliver Wyman to consult on Development Road project". Enterprise.