Iraq plans to invite bids from international companies in 2025 for the Development Road project, a $17 billion initiative involving a 1,200-kilometer rail line and a parallel road linking its southern region to the northern border with Turkey, an official announced.
Project Highlights
- Scope: Construction of a rail line and motorway stretching from the Southern Faw Port to the Turkish border.
- Cost: Estimated at $17 billion by Iraq’s Transport Ministry.
- Partners: Iraq is seeking collaboration with countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Turkey.
Design Progress
- Approximately 64% of the rail designs and 60% of the motorway designs have been completed.
- Full designs are expected to be finalized by 2025, according to a ministry spokesperson.
- “This year will see the completion of the designs for this project…we will then offer it to international firms,” said Maytham Safi, speaking to the Iraqi News Agency.
Industrial Development
The project also includes the creation of industrial zones along the motorway and plans for the region’s largest industrial city near the Southern Faw Port, where the Development Road will originate.
This ambitious project aims to enhance connectivity and foster economic growth, positioning Iraq as a key transit hub in the region.
