The path to development: truth or political propaganda?

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[size=52]The path to development: truth or political propaganda?[/size]

[size=45]Enas Flip - bright news[/size]
[size=45]Yesterday, Monday, the Iraqi Ministry of Transport confirmed that the government is proceeding with the development road project, and that it has come a long way in preparing designs, soil investigations, and removing conflicts, while it responded to what was reported by some news agencies, saying that the development road is “just a media show,” and that the government is “not Serious about implementing it.”[/size]
[size=45]The land transport corridor to be established between Iraq and Turkey is of great importance at the level of international trade, as it connects Asian countries to Europe via Iraq, passing through the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Observers confirm that the economic returns of the dry canal that is being constructed are not limited to Iraq and Turkey, but rather include all countries of the region. The Iraqi Ministry of Transport set, in early 2023, the date for completion of the first phase of the dry canal designs, and detailed the expected economic gains from the road, which will extend 1,200 km.[/size]
[size=45]Opportunities[/size]
[size=45]Despite the great importance of the anticipated project, it faces a series of enormous political, security and financing challenges, which stand in the way of its completion.[/size]
[size=45]A report by the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, seen by Al Mada, shed light on the “Dry Canal” project and ruled out its completion before 2038, at a cost exceeding $20 billion, amid challenges that make completing these large projects difficult in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]According to the report, the success of the project depends on a number of geopolitical factors, indicating that Iran, as a regional power, may feel that this project threatens its interests, and work to obstruct its path. Because it will be an alternative to linking the Far East and Europe.[/size]
[size=45]Observers warn that political instability and insecurity in Iraq may endanger the project. Because its success depends in particular on the security conditions in the region, ISIS, militia, and PKK groups may be motivated to obstruct the construction of the corridor and prevent access to Turkey, according to the report.[/size]
[size=45]Important links[/size]
[size=45]Economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi explained to (Al-Mada) that “there are many obstacles that prevent the implementation of the development path. It is considered one of the strategic options through which Iraq can be a link between Asia and Europe, passing through Turkey, or this project can create significant economic savings in the economy.” Iraqi and operates a large number of supporting sectors. There are forward and backward links that this project can create through its ability to develop the sectors of tourism, housing, logistics, transportation and industry. Thus, it is able to revive new areas and build new cities around this line, which has a double track to transport passengers. The train has a speed of 220 km, and another for transporting goods has a capacity of 160 km in the first phase, so it is supposed to be completed in the year 2027 if work is completed at the beginning of next year with a capacity of 3 and a half million containers and 20 million tons of goods.”[/size]
[size=45]handicaps[/size]
[size=45]Al-Marsoumi confirms, “There are many obstacles standing in its way, the first of which is financing, and how to finance this project, which in the first phase requires $17 billion, because relying on foreign investment as an option to implement this project is incorrect, meaning that foreign companies prefer to work in implementing this project.” With contracting contracts, meaning that the funding must be Iraqi, especially in the first phase, so this factor is the most difficult in implementing this project. Financial capacity must be available, and Iraq also has the ability to allocate some oil money through the construction of public expenditures and thus pumping them in order to complete the first phase, in addition to the factor Security also, when this line passes through 10 Iraqi governorates outside the borders of these governorates, there is certainly difficulty in ensuring protection, as it may be exposed to terrorist attacks from time to time, in addition to the energy problem, as we need to build large power stations because the project consumes a large amount of energy. Energy and therefore should be provided with additional electrical systems“To the problem of corruption that exists in Iraq, which may reduce the effectiveness of this project.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Marsoumi adds, “The project does not limit Iraq’s dependence on oil revenues, but rather it will be another complementary factor that can save us 4 to 5 billion dollars annually, while dependence on oil remains because it provides labor reserves with more than 90 billion dollars annually, and thus the project is a tributary.” Another finances the budget, but is it an alternative to oil? Certainly not, but it reduces Iraq’s dependence on oil, and works to diversify the Iraqi economy, and this is a great gain, and it also provides job opportunities and thus reduces the problem of unemployment.”[/size]
[size=45]Make decision[/size]
[size=45]Funding represents one of the most prominent concerns facing the project, as researchers stress the importance of political and financial support from the wealthy Gulf countries. Such as Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, to ensure its success.[/size]
[size=45]The Gulf States Institute report, which Al Mada followed, notes that the size and ambition of the project may raise concerns in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi that its impact will be significant at their expense, as representatives of the countries of the region meet at a conference in Basra, on December 6, 2022. To discuss the project.[/size]
[size=45]Reports suggest that the development road project will affect Gulf geopolitics. Because of its ability to destabilize the Iranian presence in the region, because it will link the Gulf states directly to Turkey.[/size]
[size=45]In addition to its impact on Bandar Abbas Port in Iran, the new Iraqi project may affect Khalid Port in Sharjah, and Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, as well as its strong competition with the Red Sea transportation route and the Suez Canal in Egypt.[/size]
[size=45]As for the economic expert, Amer Al-Jawahiri, he confirms to (Al-Mada), “The development road is a real project that expresses the feelings of Iraqis for decades, as the idea of ​​Al-Faw port has been around since 1939, and we have reached its limit, and the idea of ​​the Silk Road and Iraq is an extremely important part throughout history.” .[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that “implementing the development road project has economic, political and social repercussions, including turning into a larger project on the ground that requires tools and steps. The first step is to form a high-level development road executive body that takes its decisions from the Council of Ministers and seeks help from an international consultant who will appoint it in all work, including tenders.” Selection of partners and entrusted companies.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Jawahiri added, “There are two international trade routes, one of which is led by India, Iran, and Russia, and the second is the international North-South route.”[/size]
[size=45]“propaganda”[/size]
[size=45]Turkish Trade Minister Omar Polat, in a previous statement, explained that his country’s government is preparing a development road project that starts from the far south of Iraq and passes through Turkish territory towards European countries as “an important path for global trade.”[/size]
[size=45]While the Ministry of Transport confirmed on Monday that the government is proceeding with the development road project, and that it has made great strides in preparing designs, soil investigations, and removing conflicts.[/size]
[size=45]As the Director of the Media Office of the Ministry of Transport, Maytham Al-Safi, stated in a statement received by Al-Mada, “We have completed the designs of the first section of the development road project, after completing the economic feasibility study for the project, and there are two companies that have begun exploring the soil,” stressing that “the Ministry will begin implementation as soon as it is completed.” Final designs according to timelines.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, “The conversations and statements raised by the media indicated that the project, if implemented, would not be economically feasible for Iraq, in light of what is being promoted about the existence of an Indian-Gulf railway link project towards Europe, far from the path of development,” stressing that “the path of development will be “The closest and most suitable for transportation and linking operations between the continents of Asia and Europe.”[/size]
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