Baghdad
Iraq is working on a big infrastructure project. This project will create a new transport link between Europe and West Asia. The cost of this project is 17 billion dollars, which is expected to be completed in three years. This project has been named ‘Route of Development’. This project is expected to compete with Egypt’s Suez Canal route. The Suez Canal route is a very important trade route between Asia and Europe.
According to The Mirror report, this new route will be 745 miles long, which will stretch from the northern Turkish border to the southern Persian Gulf. In this, a network of roads, railways and ports will be built connecting the cities. Its purpose is to reduce the sea travel time between Asia and Europe, so that it can be presented to the world as an alternative to the Suez Canal route.
Iraq will benefit greatly?
This new route will be based on the Grand Al Fou Port Project, which is a port on the Persian Gulf. This enables Iraq to better distribute its exports around the world. This is the country’s biggest developmental effort so far. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudaini sees the project as a cornerstone of a sustainable non-oil economy. He sees it as an effort at economic integration. The project aims to establish a seamless highway and rail corridor between Basra and London.
Iraq says the Route of Development may be a more economically viable option than the Suez Canal. The Iraqi transport minister says it could save 12 to 15 days in travel time compared to the Egypt-based Suez Canal. This project has received the support of many influential countries. This includes UAE and Qatar. Both the countries have signed an agreement in this regard.
There are great expectations from this project but it also faces many challenges. The Iraqi government says that despite all the challenges it is determined to complete the project. This project is very important for the future of Iraq. The Iraqi government hopes that this project will bring a new ray of hope to the people of Iraq.
