Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, Iraq’s Prime Minister, has urged Kuwait to take an active part in the vital projects related to Development Road, Iraq’s flagship, aspirational megaproject designed to enhance regional trade and economic links. Kuwaitis appreciate their country’s reinstatement due in part to its previous efforts in humanitarian initiatives, including hosting refugees who fled the Iraq War, he noted.
Al-Sudani expressed that Iraq is keen on making partnerships with neighboring countries, especially in the fields that could boost the economy and infrastructure, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. At the meeting, the Iraqi leader highlighted the government aspiration to help foreign investments with an enabling atmosphere, and urged cooperation for Kuwaiti companies to take part in the plans for rebuilding of Iraq.
Al-Sudani stressed that a strategic project and regional value of its kind, Development Road, will open great horizons for Kuwait as it is a close neighbor and has a strong economy. The Prime Minister also stressed that Kuwait stands to gain from the immense investment opportunities that the initiative is set to create, as it would alter the coefficients of trade and infrastructure in the region.
Development Road project is expected to have a very strong impact on the commerce and transportation infrastructure within Iraq, as it is greatly embedded within the economic future of the country. The ambitious $17 billion initiative will construct a vital trade passage between the Arabian Gulf and Europe through an integrated road and rail connection stretching from Iraq’s southern Al-Faw Grand Port to the Turkish border. This infrastructure project is set to make Iraq a key transit point, therefore cutting the time it takes for products to travel from Asia to Europe.
Under the direction of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Al-Sudani, the project received more impetus in April 2024 when a four-party deal was signed by Iraq, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. This historic accord established the groundwork for closer cooperation among the four countries with a common goal of constructing the infrastructure needed for the effective implementation of the Development Road.
Al-Sudani’s comments reveal Iraq’s larger perspective of supporting regional cooperation and economic integration since it lies at the crossroads of the Middle East and can therefore be used geographically. Viewed as a foundation for Iraq’s long-range aims of development, the Development Path sets the nation as a key player in enabling commerce between Europe and Asia.
As the Development Road can potentially change the whole setting of regional trade, it is very much an opportunity for Kuwait to work with Iraq in a partnership benefiting both parties. Kuwaiti companies’ participation in the project would enhance the good financial relationship of Iraq with the outside world and promote the two nations’ economy strengthening the path for next venture several areas such as energy, infrastructure, and trade.
While this project will benefit both countries in the future by contributing to joint economic growth and better connectivity that would facilitate regional stability and prosperity, the renewed invitation for Kuwait’s participation in such a new venture reflects the Prime Minister’s efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and forge an agenda for sustainable regional development.
