The Iraqi Ministry of Transport revealed that the completion rates for the preliminary designs of the strategic Development Road project have reached very advanced stages. It confirmed that international consulting firms have finished soil surveys in most southern and central provinces. This project represents a vital link between the Grand Faw Port and the Turkish borders, which will make Iraq a global hub for transport and logistics. The report explained that the project will provide thousands of job opportunities for Iraqi youth and revive cities along the road's path by establishing major industrial and commercial zones. This will enhance the state's non-oil revenues and place Iraq on the global economic map as a key player in trade movement between the East and West.