Carnegie Center: Challenges that may face the implementation of the Iraqi Development Pathway Projec

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[size=52]Carnegie Center: Challenges that may face the implementation of the Iraqi Development Pathway Project[/size]

[size=45]Translated by / Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]A report by the Carnegie Middle East Center, written by writer Harith Hassan, dealt with the topic of the Iraqi Development Road Project, through which the country seeks to be a land and sea connection point for the global market across the Gulf and Turkey, and the underlying challenges that may stand in the way of its realization and implementation, including the huge cost of the project and the difficulty of securing the amount with The presence of corruption and the absence of a safe environment that encourages investors, in addition to the geopolitical aspect and the emergence of regional competitors who object to the project, including Turkey, Iran and Kuwait, indicating that in order to confront these challenges, the government must focus on several necessary institutional reforms.[/size]
[size=45]The writer and researcher specializing in Iraqi affairs stated in his report that the Iraqi government did not conduct a sufficient feasibility study to verify the strategic value of the development road project, and there does not appear to be a consensus among the various government institutions about the content of this project, its objectives and its cost, indicating that there is some question about what If the dominant political parties in Parliament will allocate sufficient funds for the project.[/size]
[size=45]Taking into account the multiple challenges of the Development Road Project, Iraq will find it difficult to mobilize regional support for the project, despite other countries trying to invest in it or acquire it for themselves. There is still room for the government to address some of the skeptical opinions about the development road project, as well as problems that may turn into future obstacles. This will require institutional management of the project and the development of partnerships with potential donors and the private sector, while ensuring transparency in the steps to advance the project.[/size]
[size=45]The author states in his report that the idea of ​​transforming border crossings into connecting points between countries and continents has flourished in recent years. But many such projects that originate from internal accounts and national goals must face increasing competition from other parties that may fuel conflicts instead of achieving economic integration development.[/size]
[size=45]Iraq had launched the huge development road project in an effort to benefit from the country's distinguished geographical location and its border crossings with several neighboring countries. The project aims to create a transportation road network linking the Gulf region with Turkey, and it is among many projects of this kind that are being discussed in the Middle East now to enhance the movement of trade across borders and connect countries, not only between neighboring regional countries, but also between countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa. .[/size]
[size=45]This project, if successful, would enhance Iraq's geopolitical position and as a commercial crossing that provides financial returns and job opportunities that reduce the country's dependence on oil exports only in its economy while providing a wider space in the public sector for young people seeking employment and job opportunities. A more fundamental aspect is that this project is also an attempt to introduce a new development method that may lead to achieving political stability in the country and mitigate the consequences of the rentier side that is harmful to the economy.[/size]
[size=45]However, the writer mentions that there are many obstacles standing in the way of implementing the development road project that the country aspires to, including the extent of the state’s ability to finance and implement such a huge project, especially taking into account the inefficiency and the level of rampant corruption in government institutions, which undermines the implementation. Huge Iraqi projects by draining it and confiscating large amounts of money needed to finance it.[/size]
[size=45]The report indicates that it is still unclear whether the Iraqi Parliament, which is controlled by parties seeking to achieve benefits from the state, will approve this project and authorize the disbursement of sufficient financial allocations to the government to move forward with the stages of the project. Taking into account previous infrastructure projects, such as projects to develop and reform the electricity sector, which, due to mismanagement and corruption, the electricity crisis still exists in the country after spending more than 15 billion dollars over ten years.[/size]
[size=45]There is a second potential problem related to the security aspect and political instability, which may not only hinder the completion of the project implementation, but also undermine the attraction of contractors and investors. There is another third obstacle, which is the presence of geoeconomic and geopolitical competition over regional trade connectivity projects, which means that some countries will either oppose the implementation of a road project. Development or remains unsupportive of it.[/size]
[size=45]Since the development road project may pass through Turkish territory from Nineveh Governorate, there is a possibility that the armed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) groups, which are hostile to the Turkish government and are present in the border areas of Nineveh with Turkey, will constitute an obstacle to the implementation of the road’s construction work or even threaten operations. Transporting goods via the road if completed.[/size]
[size=45]In addition, there are other armed factions present in border areas and crossing points in the Iraqi-Turkish-Syrian triangle that may constitute a security obstacle that hinders the implementation of the project or even hinders the transportation process on the road if they feel that their interests are in danger, as they are active in smuggling networks across the Iraqi-Syrian-Turkish border.[/size]
[size=45]Despite all these challenges, the writer points out that the positive side of the project is that it represents a national project or slogan that most Iraqis rally around after years of discrimination. It may also represent a start to think seriously about finding other economic alternatives without relying solely on oil resources. This may play an important role in pushing the state towards rebuilding its aging infrastructure, strengthening ties between the parties of different parts of Iraq, and providing an incentive for the private sector.[/size]
[size=45]The writer says that the government still has room to address these expected problems that may hinder or hinder the project, and this may require the formation of an institutional administration to follow up on the stages of project implementation. This may be by forming a permanent committee headed by the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, to supervise the stages of the project’s progress. And address any potential difficulties facing him.[/size]
[size=45]• About the Carnegie Center for Studies[/size]
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