The Development Road project, which aims to establish a 1,200-kilometer network of railway and highway lines connecting Türkiye to the Persian Gulf, has entered a critical final phase. According to Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, the primary focus of the involved nations—Türkiye, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar—is now on financing decisions. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025, laying the foundation for a new trade and energy corridor across the region.

Speaking at the InnoTrans 2024 Expo, the world’s largest railway exhibition, Uraloglu underscored Türkiye’s key role in railway and rail system development. He highlighted the country's strategic position in the Middle Corridor, which connects Türkiye with Baku, Tbilisi, and Kars and is linked by the Third Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul. He also pointed out that ongoing conflicts in Palestine have caused a 30% decline in freight vessel traffic through the Suez Canal, leading shippers to search for alternative routes that increase shipping times by about 10 days. The Development Road project, Uraloglu explained, could offer a viable solution to these challenges.

In addition to its infrastructure efforts, Türkiye is also focused on reducing its carbon footprint, with plans to align with European Union standards and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2053. Uraloglu emphasized the need for investments along international trade routes, especially the Northern and Middle Corridors, as Türkiye continues to monitor its environmental impact.

At the Turkish Embassy in Berlin, Uraloglu met with members of the press and noted the strong presence of 64 Turkish companies at the InnoTrans 2024 Expo. These firms, including Kardemir, Sarkuysan, Turesas, and Bozankaya, are demonstrating Türkiye’s growing contributions to the global transportation sector. Turkish State Railways (TCDD) is also participating.

InnoTrans 2024, running until Friday, is expected to draw around 140,000 visitors and showcase innovations from approximately 2,940 companies representing 59 countries. This year’s focus on digitalization and sustainability includes displays of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, with Google Cloud among the participants.

Minister Uraloglu expressed optimism about the Development Road project’s potential to meet the region’s growing demand for efficient transport routes, offering a timely alternative to longer shipping paths around Africa.