Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia‘ al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the latter making his first visit to Iraq in 13 years, signed over 24 memoranda of understanding (MOUs). Al-Sudani described the visit as setting “a road map for a strategic and sustainable co-operation in all fields.” Together with his Turkish counterpart, al-Sudani witnessed the signing of a preliminary agreement involving Iraq, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to collaborate on the Development Road project.Originally conceived in the 1980s — and then known as the “Dry Canal” corridor — the $17 billion Development Road project envisions the construction of approximately 1,200km (745 miles) of two-way rail tracks and a new motorway, stretching from Al Faw in Basra province to the Turkish border in the north. This route traverses Basra, Diwaniyah, Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad, and Mosul, establishing a land corridor that connects Baghdad and Ankara.Despite sharing a border, Iraq and Turkey have had a history marked by tensions; however, recent developments indicate that the two countries are now entering a new, positive phase in their relationship. Their decision to collaborate on the Development Road project is integral to their larger initiative to enhance bilateral ties. However, the successful implementation of the project, a massive undertaking, hinges not only on Iraq-Turkey cooperation and coordination but also on overcoming numerous other challenges.Iraq’s “Road” to DevelopmentIraq has initiated two major projects to cement its role as a vital link between Asia and Europe and to bolster its geopolitical importance: the Grand Faw Port and the Development Road initiative. Construction of the Al Faw Port project in southern Iraq commenced nearly a decade ago. The port’s ambitious masterplan includes extensive container cargo, dry bulk cargo, and oil terminals, along with a dry dock and naval base. If fully developed, Al Faw Port would be one of the largest ports in the world.Despite facing significant construction delays due to financial constraints and other challenges, Baghdad took a significant step forward in 2020 by signing a $2.6 billion contract with South Korea’s Daewoo Engineering & Construction to commence construction of the first phase of the port, slated for completion within four years. Since then, the Iraqi Ministry of Transport has been collaborating with the private sector to expedite the project’s advancement. The first phase of the port’s development is nearing its final stages, with plans for it to become operational by 2028. The project’s second phase, which has yet to begin, encompasses an industrial area incorporating a refinery, a steel plant, and other industrial amenities. Phase three entails the creation of Al Faw New City, comprising housing, a trade and commercial center, a school, and mosques.The Development Road constitutes the transportation network aimed at linking the Grand Faw Port to Turkey. As envisaged, the construction of this network of motorways and railways will progress in three stages, with the first stage set to be finished by 2028, followed by the second stage in 2033, and the third stage in 2050. Aside from logistics, the project is designed to foster urban development, with the expectation of new cities and industrial hubs emerging along the corridor. (ICE AMMAN)

Fonte notizia: Stampa Locale