World Bank Discusses Implementation of Development Road Project

Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Dr. Mohammed Ali Tamim, chaired an expanded meeting on Monday to review the progress of the Development Road Project, which includes the construction of railway lines extending from the port of Faw to the Turkish border.

The meeting focused on the stages of implementation and financing for the project, which consists of multiple sections. It was attended by senior officials, including the Prime Minister’s Advisor, Mohammed Al-Daraji, World Bank Regional Director, Jean-Christopher Carré, as well as undersecretaries from the Ministries of Planning and Transport. Representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Housing, and Planning, along with heads of departments and an international consulting firm, also participated.

Discussions centred around preparing and auditing initial designs for the project, as well as evaluating the costs associated with implementing each section of the railway. This included both the rehabilitation of existing sections and the construction of new tracks.

The Development Road Project is a critical component of Iraq’s infrastructure strategy, with the potential to transform the country into a new transit hub bridging Asia and Europe, positioning it as a competitor to Egypt’s Suez Canal. With designs now finalised, the project is projected to be completed within five years, marking a significant advancement in Iraq’s transportation network and economic development.

Source: Ministry of Planning