Iraq announced – during a conference that brought together officials from neighboring countries in the capital on Saturday – a project for a land line and a railway line linking the Gulf to the Turkish border, through which it aspires to turn into a basic line for the transport of goods between the Middle East and Europe.

The project, which the Iraqi government has set at a cost of about $17 billion and a length of 1200,<> kilometers inside Iraq, is still in its early stages.

Baghdad aspires to implement this project in cooperation with countries in the region, namely Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose representatives from the ministries of transport were invited Saturday to Baghdad to participate in the conference dedicated to announcing the project.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said, "We see in this sustainable project a pillar of a sustainable non-oil economy, a link that serves Iraq's neighbors and the region, and a contribution to economic integration efforts."

According to a statement by the Transport and Economy Committee of the House of Representatives – quoted by the Iraqi News Agency – the project will be "an investment for the participating countries and each country can complete part of the project."

The statement pointed out that "it is hoped that the project will be completed and completed within 3-5 years," adding that "the investment mechanism will be discussed after the conference with the participating countries."

Oil-rich Iraq is suffering from decaying infrastructure and roads as a result of decades of war and widespread corruption.

'Prime Minister: The road to development is an economic artery and a promising opportunity for the convergence of interests, history and cultures' https://t.co/07GZy6zkos

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The Iraqi prime minister stresses that one of his government's priorities is the rehabilitation of transport infrastructure and roads, as well as the dilapidated electricity sector.

This project, called the "Development Road", allows Iraq to exploit its geographical location and become a transit point for goods and trade between the Gulf and Europe.

Work is underway to rehabilitate Iraq's southernmost port of Faw, bordering the Gulf states, which will be a key receiving station for goods before they are transported by road.

The project also aims to build 15 freight and passenger train stations along the line, starting from Basra in the south, passing through Baghdad and reaching the border with Turkey.

Iraqi Transport Minister Abdul Razzaq Muhaibis confirmed today that the government intends to operate the first phase of the Faw port project by the end of 2025.

He pointed out that "the completion rates achieved in the port of Faw amounted to more than 50% in its first phase."

'Minister of Transport: The government plans to operate the first phase of the FAO project in mid-2025' https://t.co/6KWSQtIdg4

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Farhan al-Fartusi, general manager of the General Company for Iraqi Ports, told Reuters: "Don't imagine that the development road is only for the passage of goods or passengers, no. It will be a gateway to development in large areas in Iraq."

The Iraqi government envisions high-speed trains transporting goods and passengers at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, as well as laying lines to local industrial and energy hubs that could include oil and gas pipelines.

Infographic. The development road is a promising project for a new future' https://t.co/ocLwH4LcCo

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Al-Fartousi said the Faw Grand Port project, which has been planned for more than a decade, is halfway through its completion. If work begins early next year, the project will be completed in 2029, he added.