A multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project is being planned to establish new transport links between Europe and West Asia.
The proposed route will span across Iraq, stretching 745 miles from the northern Turkish border to the southern Persian Gulf.
This mega-project, encompassing a network of roads, railways, ports and cities, aims to reduce travel time between Asia and Europe – posing competition to Egypt’s Suez Canal, a crucial trade route between the two continents. After establishing a trade corridor into Turkey, the project is expected to extend into Europe, bolstering Iraq’s global standing as well as its domestic economy and infrastructure, reports the Express.
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The new route will build on the ongoing Grand Al Faw Port project – a port on the Persian Gulf that enables Iraq to better distribute its exports worldwide, marking the country’s largest developmental endeavour so far.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani views the project as a cornerstone of a sustainable non-oil economy, a link benefiting Iraq and the region, and a contribution to economic integration efforts,” according to The Cradle. The project could be completed within three years.
The ultimate goal is to establish an “uninterrupted highway and rail corridor between Basra and London”. The project could potentially surpass its stated cost of $17 billion. The Route of Development might present a more financially viable alternative to the Suez Canal, given the projected capacity of Grand Faw Port.
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As reported by Anadolu Agency, the Iraqi Transport Minister said the port “will be able to host large trade ships with a depth of up to 19.5 metres”. He also suggested it could save between 12 and 15 days in travel time compared to its Egypt-based counterpart.
The project has received support from several influential states, with UAE and Qatar governments signing a memorandum last summer. However, Transport Minister Razzaq Muhibis Al-Saadawi emphasised that it’s “a purely economy-focused project, completely devoid of politics”. Speaking to AA, he said: “We will not engage in competition with any other party.
“Iraq and Turkey have geographical advantages. We will utilize this for the benefit of our peoples.”
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