Türkiye's Development Road project moves toward final financing stage

By Bahattin Gonultas

BERLIN (AA) - The Development Road project, which aims to connect Türkiye to the Persian Gulf through a network of 1,200 kilometers of railway and highway lines, has entered a crucial final stage, according to Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu.

In a statement to Anadolu during the world’s largest railway exhibition, InnoTrans 2024, Uraloglu highlighted that the involved countries—Türkiye, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar—are now focused on financing decisions.

Speaking to members of the press at the Turkish Embassy in Berlin, Uraloglu noted the participation of 64 Turkish firms at the expo, emphasizing Türkiye's role in regional railway and rail system development.

“Our efforts in railway and rail system developments continue and will persist, as Türkiye is positioned in the Middle Corridor,” he stated.

As railway adoption grows in the region, the minister emphasized Türkiye's commitment to monitoring its carbon footprint, aligning with European Union standards, and planning investments aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2053.

“We must consider investments along international corridors as Türkiye sits at the center of vital trade routes, particularly in the Northern and Middle Corridors,” he said.

Uraloglu further detailed how the Middle Corridor, which runs through Türkiye, connects to Baku, Tbilisi, and Kars, reinforcing links through the Third Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul.

He highlighted a significant decline in freight vessel traffic through the Suez Canal, which has dropped by 30% due to ongoing conflicts in Palestine, prompting shippers to seek alternative routes around Africa that extend shipping times by approximately 10 days.

“The Development Road project can meet the need for such alternatives,” he added.

As discussions about financing progress, the involved nations are aiming to initiate construction in 2025, paving the way for a new trade and energy corridor through the railway and highway network, he said.

- Turkish participation shines at InnoTrans 2024 Expo

The InnoTrans 2024 Expo in Berlin is expected to attract around 140,000 visitors and feature approximately 2,940 companies from 59 countries, running until Friday.

This year's focus on digitalization and sustainability includes showcases of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), with participation from Google Cloud.

In addition to Turkish State Railways (TCDD), 64 Turkish firms, including Kardemir, Sarkuysan, Turesas, and Bozankaya, are displaying their contributions to the transportation sector at the expo.

*Writing by Emir Yildirim in Istanbul