Al-Zaydi directs the setting of a timetable for the practical commencement of the “Development Road”
Al-Zaydi directs the setting of a timetable for the practical commencement of the “Development Road”
2026-07-21
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed that a clear mechanism be put in place to finance and implement the development road project, ensuring that practical steps are taken according to specific timetables.
This came during his reception of the Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Ural Oglu, and his accompanying delegation in the capital, Baghdad, according to a statement from Al-Zaidi’s office.
In a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, the Prime Minister affirmed the depth of the relations that unite Iraq and Turkey, and the many interests and commonalities upon which they are based, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation in the economic and investment fields, in a way that serves the interests of the two friendly peoples.
He noted that his upcoming visit to the Republic of Turkey will witness the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding that will expand the prospects for bilateral cooperation in a number of vital sectors.
The meeting included discussions on the latest developments in the Development Road project, its economic and developmental importance to Iraq, Turkey and the region, and what it represents as a strategic pillar for enhancing economic integration and regional connectivity.
For his part, the Turkish Minister of Transport affirmed his country’s interest in the development road project and its desire to implement this project due to its great economic importance, indicating that the two sides share the vision of the need to start implementing the basic infrastructure for this project.
Earlier today, Iraqi Transport Minister Wahab al-Hassani discussed with his Turkish counterpart Abdulkadir Ural in Baghdad a number of joint cooperation files, most notably the Development Road project.
In April 2024, Iraq, Turkey, the UAE and Qatar signed a four-way agreement for the Iraq Development Road project, under the auspices of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The project, which includes a 1,200-kilometer road and railway within Iraq, aims to promote economic integration between East and West, increase international trade, and facilitate the movement of goods.
The project’s investment budget is approximately $17 billion, divided between $6.5 billion for the highway and $10.5 billion for the electric railway. It will be implemented in three phases, ending in 2028, 2033, and 2050.
The project is expected to provide around 100,000 job opportunities in the first phase and one million job opportunities upon completion, and will promote economic growth and regional and international cooperation.
shafaq.com
