Iraqi Transport Minister Razzak al-Saadawi paid a visit to Lebanon during which, among other things, he met his Lebanese counterpart Ali Hamieh, whom he officially informed of Lebanon’s integration into “The Road to Development.”
Sa3dawi also invited Hamieh to take part in a conference on this project. The project involves the construction of a 1,200-kilometer-long road and rail link from the Gulf to Turkey.
The Iraqi government estimates this project to cost $17 billion, and would turn the country into a hub for the transport of goods and people between the Gulf and Turkey, and on to Europe.
The two ministers also reviewed various regional developments. They exchanged views on a number of subjects, including land, sea and air cooperation, in addition to discussing the memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries and the need to activate them.
Saadawi and Hamieh also visited the Beirut port, where the Hamieh stated that the revenues of this public institution had risen from around $450,000 a month to around $15 million.
Hamieh reiterated that the new legal framework for the Lebanese port sector has been completed, and that his ministry is working to have it ratified in Parliament.
Saadawi also met with the economic committees, chaired by former Telecommunications Minister Mohamed Choucair, in the presence of Hamieh. Talks focused on means to develop economic ties and facilitating two-way trade.
