Turkish Transport Minister arrives in baghdad to elevate transport ties and Development Road cooperation

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to conduct high-level talks with Iraqi officials aimed at taking bilateral cooperation in transport, logistics, and telecommunications to a higher level. Minister Uraloğlu was officially welcomed at Baghdad International Airport by Deputy Minister of Transport Hazem Razi Lafta, before holding bilateral talks with Iraqi Minister of Transport Wahb Al-Hasani at the state guesthouse in Baghdad. Strategic Focus: The Development Road Project Primary Agenda: Fast-tracking execution phases of the multi-billion-dollar Development Road project, an international rail and highway network linking Grand Faw Port in southern Iraq directly to Turkey and European commercial markets. Diplomatic Context: The visit serves as a key logistical precursor ahead of Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi’s upcoming official state visit to Turkey scheduled for July 28, 2026. The visit underscores the massive economic weight and trade synergy between the two neighboring nations: Heavy Commercial Volume: Bilateral trade volume between Iraq and Turkey stands at approximately $15 billion to $17 billion annually, with joint diplomatic initiatives aiming to expand total trade to $24 billion. Key Trading Partner: Iraq consistently ranks among Turkey’s top export destinations globally (exceeding $12 billion in Turkish exports alone), primarily spanning food products, construction materials, machinery, and consumer goods. Infrastructure Footprint: Turkish construction firms have historically undertaken over 1,100 development projects in Iraq valued at more than $36 billion, making Iraq one of the largest markets for Turkish engineering and infrastructure expertise worldwide. By coordinating transport routes and cross-border digital networks through the Development Road project, both Baghdad and Ankara aim to secure long-term transit revenue, streamline regional supply chains, and further integrate their high-volume trade partnership.