ABC News reported that the announcement was made at a one-day conference on May 27 in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Attendees included transportation ministers and representatives from Iraq, Gulf countries, Türkiye, Iran, Syria and Jordan.
Prime Minister al-Sudani said the "Road of Development" project would start from the Grand Faw port in Basra, southern Iraq, connecting to Turkey and then to Europe via a network of railways and highways. "The focus of the project is the development of the Grand Faw port and an adjacent smart industrial city. The project includes the construction of about 1,200 kilometers of railways and highways, which are expected to become economic lifelines and converge historical and cultural interests and values, making our countries sources of modern industries and goods," al-Sudani said.
Iraq's Grand Faw Port is under further development Photo: FARS
However, the Iraqi prime minister did not say how the project would be funded, noting that Iraq would "depend heavily on cooperation with brotherly and friendly countries." If construction begins early next year, the project could be completed by 2029. Meanwhile, the countries attending the May 27 conference agreed to set up joint technical committees to promote the project.
Reuters said the “Road of Development” project linking Iraq’s oil-rich southern port of Grand Faw with Türkiye would turn the country into a transit hub by shortening travel times between Asia and Europe, in a bid to rival the Suez Canal. Iraq’s railways operate several routes, including slow oil shipments and a single overnight passenger train from Baghdad to Basra, which takes 10-12 hours to cover the 500 km (311 miles).
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