Iraq hails Hungarian companies’ participation in Development Road project
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the Hungarian Ambassador to Iraq, Atilla Tar. Photo: Iraqi News Agency
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, expressed appreciation for receiving requests from Hungarian companies to take part in the Development Road strategic project, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s press office illustrated that Al-Sudani met on Wednesday with the Hungarian Ambassador to Iraq, Atilla Tar, where they discussed bilateral ties between Iraq and Hungary.
The Iraqi Prime Minister welcomed the Hungarian Ambassador’s request that Hungarian companies participate in the Development Road project due to their reputation and experience, in addition to benefiting from the investment opportunities the project provides, according to the statement.
During his meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Iraq, Cui Wei, last Thursday, Al-Sudani indicated that Iraq received offers from several countries in the region to finance and implement the project, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s press office explained.
The Chinese Ambassador to Iraq highlighted that the Development Road project is important for Iraq, will represent a path to peace and prosperity in the region, and will become a complement to the Belt and Road project, according to the statement.
Wei expressed his desire to review the economic feasibility study of the project and China’s readiness to provide technical advice to complete this vital project, the statement added.
On May 27, Iraq hosted the Development Road Conference, where the Ministry of Transport invited Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Iran to attend.
The Development Road is the name given by the Iraqi government to what was known as the dry canal that connects the Al-Faw Grand Port in southern Iraq with the Turkish territories through railway networks and roads.
It will extend for 1,200 kilometers from Al-Faw port town in southern Iraq to the northern Iraqi governorate of Duhok, according to INA.
The Development Road includes a railway where electric trains will pass through 10 Iraqi governorates.
In a joint press conference held in March with the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Al-Sudani stated that the Development Road represents a global corridor to transport goods and energy.
The Prime Minister illustrated that the project includes a railway to transport goods, with a capacity of 3.5 million tons in its first phase that will be increased to 7.5 million tons in the second phase.
Al-Sudani elaborated that the project will also include a highway for land transport and pipelines to transport energy, in addition to the Al-Faw Grand Port and the industrial city that is expected to be one of the largest cities in the Middle East.
The Iraqi Premier added that the project will generate many job opportunities for Iraq and the countries of the region, as well as opportunities for industries and businessmen, and it will be a center attracting global trade.