Iraq is building “The Development Road” a $17-billion mega-rail line.

• Iraq announced the development of The Development Road with its expansion of hopes of connecting the road to Europe through Türkiye.
• The Development Road has multiple phases, completing the Grand Al-Faw port, building the mega-rail, and extending the rail through Türkiye.
• The project is expected to be completed by 2029.

Iraq has approved the development of The Development Road; a 2,700-kilometer Mega-Rail will be built to reach and link the Middle East with Europe.

Connecting south Iraq with Türkiye with the confirmation that the Turkish government in Ankara after a visit by the Iraqi Transport Minister Razzak Al-Saadawi will set in plans in collaboration with Iraq to extend the rail within Türkiye to reach the Bulgarian border.

The project comprises a rail line and a motorway for passengers as well as a freight for transporting goods throughout the rail.

The project by connecting the Grand Faw Port in Iraq with Turkey plans to turn the country into a trading transit hub by offering an alternative way to transport goods between Asia and Europe, aiming to rival the Suez Canal.

The Development Road would also serve as an upgrade to Iraq’s current outdated goods transport network.

Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, Farhan al-Fartousi, said that the project is expected to be completed in 2029.

He also stated that “Even if Iraq was absent for a year or two or a decade or two, it must return one day or another. Hopefully these days are the beginning of the return of Iraq”.

The Grand Al-Faw Port is currently undergoing construction and Phase 1 is expected to be completed by 2025. It is the first step and phase of The Development Road, followed by construction of the Rail connecting Iraq to Türkiye, followed by the expansion of the rail throughout Türkiye, effectively linking Asia with Europe, hoping to rival the Suez Canal.