Türkiye, Iraq, Qatar, UAE sign quadrilateral agreement for Development Road Project

A quadrilateral memorandum of understanding, signed in Baghdad between Iraq, Türkiye, Qatar and the UAE for cooperation in the Development Road Project, aims to revolutionize regional trade and connectivity

Under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammed Shia Al-Sudani, a quadrilateral memorandum of understanding was signed among Iraq, Türkiye, Qatar and the UAE in Baghdad for cooperation in the Development Road Project.

“There is ship traffic passing through the Suez Canal in 35 days. In the Cape of Good Hope, it takes 45 days. When we complete the Development Road, the transportation process will decrease to 25 days,” Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said.

Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad and Erbil on Monday has brought the Development Road Project into sharp focus, marking his first visit to Iraq in 13 years.

Recent high-level visits have bolstered relations between Türkiye and Iraq, with particular attention on the ongoing construction of the Grand Faw Port in Basra, southern Iraq.

Scheduled for completion in 2025, this port aims to become the largest in the Middle East and is a key component of the Development Road Project.

Situated at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, where they meet the Shatt al-Arab before flowing into the sea, the Grand Faw Port serves as the starting point for the project’s ambitious infrastructure plans.

These plans include extensive railway and highway networks stretching from the port through major Iraqi cities like Diwaniyah, Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad and Mosul, all the way to the Turkish border.

The ultimate goal is to facilitate seamless access from the Turkish border to the Mersin Port and beyond to Europe via Istanbul.

The route design for this colossal undertaking falls under the responsibility of the Italian company PEG Infrastructure.

After passing through Mosul, the route will enter Türkiye via Ovakoy, linking the Grand Faw Port to the Turkish border through a 1200-kilometer (745.6 miles) railway and highway system.

This connection is poised to revolutionize regional trade by providing a new gateway between Asia and Europe.

The project is expected to significantly reduce transit times, with shipments that currently take 45 days from the Cape of Good Hope and 35 days from the Red Sea estimated to be completed in just 25 days upon project completion.

Planned for completion in 2050

In addition to its economic benefits, the Development Road Project holds strategic significance, offering an alternative route in the event of regional conflicts or disruptions.

This is particularly notable as it bypasses Iraq’s direct involvement in China’s Silk Road initiative.

Planned for completion in three stages by 2050, the project encompasses not only transportation infrastructure but also energy transmission and communication lines. Its impact is anticipated to extend from Europe to the Gulf countries, fostering greater connectivity and economic development across the region.

With the trade volume between Türkiye and Iraq already exceeding $24 billion, the project promises abundant business opportunities for all stakeholders involved.

Originally known as the Dry Canal, its renaming to the Development Road underscores its role as the cornerstone of Iraq’s transition to a sustainable, non-oil-based economy.

Source: Newsroom

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