Iraq: A clarification about the road of development and rail link with Iran

INA - BAGHDAD 

The Ministry of Transport issued on Saturday, a clarification regarding the railway link with Iran, stressing that the project is related to “passenger transportation only.”

"The vision and approach of the Minister of Transport are clear and unambiguous, as he repeatedly emphasized that the port of Faw is the closest point for sea cargo to Europe, and therefore the exporting countries want to export their goods and products through the large port of Faw, which means providing large and important additional economic resources for the state treasury, and employing thousands of Iraqi workers," said the Director of Media and Government Communication at the Ministry of Transport, Maitham Al-Safi, in a press clarification, received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

Al-Safi noted that, "the projects that are being completed within the first phase of Faw Grand Port, were carried out under the direct guidance and supervision of the Minister of Transport. They are witnessing advanced completion rates, in compliance with the specified timings, after overcoming any obstacles that may hinder work on the port's projects."

"The cost of maritime transport is three times less than the rail and land transport. Goods cannot be transported by train through Iran for one reason, which is that the ports of the neighboring country are farther than the distance prescribed for transportation. In this case, the owner of the goods prefers to the export process taking place through the port of Faw, so that its prices are lower for the importer," he explained. 

He stressed that "the development path does not contradict in terms of design with any economic development project, but rather it is the nucleus of economic development for Iraq, which will become a destination for the global economy once the development path project and the great port of Faw are completed," noting that "the Iraqi government has sent an invitation to all countries in the region to join the project, which starts from the port of Faw (southern Iraq), passing through about 12 Iraqi governorates, up to the Turkish border, and up to the European continent, to be a link between east and west."

"This project is one of the most important strategic projects that receive the attention of the Minister of Transport and the Iraqi government in general," he pointed out. 

Al-Safi warned, "The fallacies, rumors, and misleading campaigns that are presented are intended to thwart any economic renaissance for Iraq, indicating that those who currently object to the path of development were among the fiercest opponents of the Chinese agreement previously."

He concluded by saying: "Iraq, represented by the government of Muhammed S. Al-Sudani, is an economic country that is open to everyone, but under Iraq's economic conditions, and in a manner consistent with the interest of its people, this is what the current government is working on," explaining that the future of Iraq "depends on the development project and the port of Faw."