Better and Safer Roads in Iraq will Boost Regional Trade, Save Lives and Promote Citizens Engagement

The World Bank
Thu, Dec 19, 2013

A new $355 million project recently approved by the World Bank Board of Directors, will improve road quality and safety and promote citizens engagement, national unity and regional trade integration. The Iraq Transport Corridors Project will be implemented in partnership with the government of Iraq and the Islamic Development Bank. The project will reduce traffic fatalities by nearly 25 percent on two transport corridors connecting Iraq to its neighbors.

According to Ferid Belhaj, World Bank Country Director for the Mashreq Department, "the project which covers the main national route will facilitate trade movement between Iraqi governorates and with neighboring countries. This will boost economic growth and lead to better service quality along the international corridors which carry most of the tradable goods.”

The project focuses on building the capacity of national institutions to enable Iraqi staff to plan, manage implement and maintain infrastructure projects. In particular, they will be exposed to modern techniques in road management, international procurement and financial management procedures and environmental and social safeguards.

“Iraq has one of the highest levels of road accident fatalities in the world and the rehabilitation of the expressway will improve road safety and travel time. Commuters and residents will also be able to report on the condition of the roads using mobile phones and GPS technologies," added Ferid Belhaj.

Read more about the project from the World Bank here.


To read the full piece from The World Bank, click here.