The Development Road project in Iraq continues to gain momentum as officials drive forward major planning efforts. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani recently led a high-level meeting focused on progress and future steps for this strategic project. Key figures attended, including the Minister of Transport, the head of the Supreme Committee for Coordination Between Governorates, and international consultants.
This latest session reinforced the government’s commitment to pushing the Development Road project in Iraq toward completion. It marked another step in the long-standing collaboration between Iraq’s Ministry of Transport and consultants from Italy’s BTB and the global firm Oliver Wyman.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani directed the formation of a specialized committee. This team will finalize the route linking Iraq to Turkey. The route will rely on clear economic and technical evaluations. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to resolve current challenges and stick to the project’s schedule.
Oliver Wyman presented an updated economic model during the meeting. This framework, built after extensive cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, will soon be reviewed and approved. It forms the basis for attracting international investors to the Development Road project in Iraq.
Currently, the preliminary design phase is complete. Engineers have entered the detailed design stage, which will conclude before the project is introduced to top global companies. Officials plan to divide the project into several parts. This method promotes competition and ensures international quality standards.
International support for the project continues to grow. Iraq has already signed cooperation agreements with Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE. A wider European council now includes Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria. Other countries have shown interest too, indicating the global scope of this venture.
Several diplomatic and economic representatives have visited Iraq to discuss the project. These include ambassadors and consultants from China, Australia, and France. Their involvement shows that the Development Road is not just a national effort. It has significant regional and international dimensions.
The project also includes a comprehensive transportation vision. It will link Iraq’s main airports—Baghdad, Basra, and Najaf—with three new ones in Nasiriyah, Karbalaa, and Mosul. Moreover, it will connect to 15 industrial cities. This shows that the project is more than a simple transit path; it’s a core part of economic transformation.
Al-Safi, the Ministry’s media director, confirmed that the Development Road project in Iraq will create thousands of jobs. It will integrate Iraq’s transport and economic sectors while helping provinces use their raw materials more efficiently. Local institutions and ministries will also benefit through new investment opportunities.