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Prime Minister: Development Road Implementation to Begin After Budget Approval
Prime Minister Ali Falah Al-Zaydi announced that the government will begin implementing the Development Road Project following the approval of the budget, with plans to invite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to participate in the project’s groundbreaking ceremony
Baghdad – Prime Minister Ali Falah Al-Zaydi announced that the government will begin implementing the Development Road Project following the approval of the budget, confirming Iraq’s intention to invite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to participate in the project’s groundbreaking ceremony.
The Prime Minister described the Development Road as “Iraq’s third river,” highlighting its economic, commercial, and developmental dimensions and its strategic importance in strengthening Iraq’s position within regional and international transport and trade networks.
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport plays a central role in preparing for the project and following up on its technical, legal, and implementation requirements, in coordination with its relevant formations, including the General Company for Ports of Iraq, the General Company for Iraqi Railways, and the General Company for Land Transport. The Ministry has also been working on the project’s legislative framework and on integrating the Grand Faw Port with road and railway networks as part of a broader system designed to strengthen Iraq’s position as a regional trade and logistics corridor.
The Ministry of Transport is also continuing work on the project’s technical and financing aspects, including the development of railway connections linking Iraqi provinces and the Grand Faw Port with the Turkish border, in addition to discussions on financing mechanisms and implementation stages in cooperation with international partners.
The Development Road is one of Iraq’s major strategic projects, aiming to establish an integrated transport and logistics network and strengthen connectivity between ports, road networks, and railways, opening new corridors for freight movement, trade, and investment.
The project is expected to support the national economy, stimulate transport and infrastructure-related sectors, attract international companies and expertise, and enhance Iraq’s role as an economic and commercial corridor connecting regional markets with international trade routes.
The strategic importance of the project aligns closely with the objectives of ITL IRAQ EXPO 2026 – Iraq International Transportation, Airports & Logistics Expo, held under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq and with the patronage and support of the Iraqi Ministry of Transport. The exhibition brings together government institutions, decision-makers, investors, and Iraqi, regional, and international companies operating across transportation, aviation, airports, ports, railways, freight, logistics, smart mobility, and infrastructure.
ITL IRAQ EXPO provides a specialized platform for discussing major national projects, led by the Development Road, while showcasing advanced technologies and solutions and building partnerships that support the development of Iraq’s transport ecosystem and expand investment opportunities.
25–27 November 2026
Baghdad International Fairground – Baghdad, Iraq
www.itliraq.com