Newsletters
Türkiye will be connected to Gulf countries, the Indian Ocean and the Far East through Iraq via the Development Road Project, a senior Turkish official said.
Durmus Unuvar, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, stated that the Development Road Project is not only a transportation initiative but also a significant development project.
"The Development Road is the connection of Iraq's Grand Faw Port with Europe via Türkiye through railways and highways," Unuvar told state-run Anadolu Agency (AA).
Unuvar said Türkiye has begun the necessary investments for the Development Road, emphasizing that Türkiye is supporting the project as it will also contribute to Iraq's development.
Iraqi Transport Minister Razzaq Muhaybis Al-Saadawi stated on Wednesday that the Development Road Project will establish a regional and international integrated economic corridor.
"The Development Road Project is an integrated transport system including railway and highway," Al-Saadawi said at the Iraq Business Summit titled "Faw Port, Iraq's Investment Gateway" in Basra.
"The Development Road Project will also be a regional economic corridor, creating a regional and international integrated economy where economic interests converge," he noted.
Al-Saadawi said the Grand Faw Port project is the main artery of the Development Road.
"The Grand Faw Port is the project of the nation's will and the people," Al-Saadawi said, adding, "In this context, we will obtain revenues outside oil that have not been encountered before."
Al-Saadawi said the Development Road Project will redraw the face of Iraq's economy.
Unuvar said the project establishes a mechanism that will reduce logistics costs and shorten the time.
"Türkiye, which is at the center and intersection of all corridors, will be connected both from the Turkic republics and from China to Europe or from the opposite direction, and from here to the Gulf countries, the Indian Ocean, and the Far East, together with Iraq," Unuvar said.
Unuvar said the financial system for the Development Road within Türkiye has been established, and they are waiting for Iraq to start these investments.
Türkiye will be the primary country for freight transport on the Development Road, Unuvar said, adding that Türkiye is also an energy corridor and fiber optic and communication systems are being implemented.
Ferhan Fartusi, Director of the Iraqi Ports Company, stated that two sections of the Grand Faw Port project have been completed, and two separate projects are 95% complete.
The sunken tunnel construction has reached 75% completion, he said.
Commenting on the Development Road Project, Fartusi said the Grand Faw Port will connect the Gulf and Europe.
"The Development Road will be the largest supply line from east to west," Fartusi said.
1 min read
The Development Road Project, also known as the New Silk Road, involves cooperation among Türkiye, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The Grand Faw Port, which will be one of the Middle East's largest ports, is located at the entrance of the Khor Abdullah cape of the Basra Gulf.
1 min read
