Turkey could see economic benefits exceeding $50 billion from an ambitious Iraqi infrastructure initiative to build a 1,200-kilometre railway and a parallel motorway stretching from Iraq’s southern coast to its northern border with Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced.
Speaking at a global transport conference in Istanbul, Erdogan described the “Development Road” project as one of the Middle East’s largest railway undertakings and a milestone for regional economic integration.
“The Development Road’s impact on production over a 10-year horizon is projected to surpass $50 billion, generating an estimated 63,000 jobs annually in Turkey,” Erdogan said, according to reports in Turkish and Iraqi media.
He emphasised that the project will transform Turkey’s strategic geographic position into substantial economic gains shared across the wider region, noting that it will also drive significant new rail developments within Turkey itself.
Iraqi authorities confirmed earlier this year that feasibility studies and design work have been completed for the project, which will begin at the Port of Faw—a major container terminal capable of handling 99 million containers annually.
Originally estimated to cost $17 billion in 2022, the total price tag may rise due to higher equipment and construction expenses. The initiative, slated for completion by 2029, is expected to position Iraq as a vital regional hub for commerce and transit, with integrated free trade and industrial zones.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz added in May that the railway will cross 11 Iraqi provinces and link Gulf nations with Europe. The corridor is designed to facilitate the flow of goods from India, South Asia, and Gulf countries to Iraq’s al-Faw port, then onward via Turkey to European markets.
Source: Zawya Projects
