The path to development: Iraq and Turkey finalize the draft implementation agreement.
The path to development: Iraq and Turkey finalize the draft implementation agreement.
2026-09-11
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq and Turkey have completed the final draft of the general agreement for the implementation of infrastructure projects and the development of the transport sector, stemming from the framework memorandum of understanding signed by Transport Minister Wahab Al-Hassani with the Turkish side at the end of last July, in a step that paves the way for completing government approvals, official signing and moving to the contractual implementation phase.
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport stated in an official statement that the completion of the draft came after intensive negotiations that lasted four days in Baghdad, and continued until late last night, with the participation of representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Oil, Finance and Foreign Affairs, the Central Bank of Iraq, the Oil Marketing Company “SOMO”, and Iraqi technical bodies, in addition to representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Infrastructure, Energy and Foreign Affairs and the Turkish Agricultural Bank.
The statement explained that the discussions focused on completing the legal, technical and financial aspects and identifying implementation mechanisms, in order to ensure clarity of mutual obligations and rights and the requirements of the targeted projects.
After finalizing the draft agreement, both sides agreed to submit it to the highest government authorities in both countries to obtain final approvals and complete the necessary procedures in preparation for the official signing, according to the statement.
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
