French Alstom signs memo to build suspended metro lines in Baghdad and Basra

French Alstom signs memo to build suspended metro lines in Baghdad and Basra



06-12-2017 07:02 PM

The Euphrates -
 
France's Alstom signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iraq to build a suspended metro line in Baghdad and two lines in the southern city of Basra, which are experiencing daily traffic jams.

The company's director in Iraq, Mark Grost, said in a press statement that "will be held over the next five years Metro suspended for twenty kilometers in Baghdad, provided that the equipment is provided for the implementation of rail engineering works that will be launched from Mustansiriya (east) to the old Muthanna airport ' According to Agence France-Presse.

It is expected that the cost of this work will be between $ 2.1 to $ 2.5 billion, to ensure linking the two sides of the city of Baghdad through the bridge Sarafiya (central), in 2023.

The capital is witnessing the continuation of the import of cars since 2003, severe traffic crises, especially during hours Nahar.

In Basrah, the largest city in the south of the country, there is a study to develop a two-line project, each 15 kilometers long. The two lines will extend from north to south of the city, from Zubayr to Shatt al-Arab and from Karma in eastern Basra to desert areas on the western side.

Gross said the company was preparing a feasibility study in Basra that would be completed within 12 months.

"This is an important step for Iraq, Satum and people because the traffic in these cities is intolerable," he said.

The agreements were signed during a meeting of the Council of Iraqi-French Affairs in the presence of French Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Jean-Baptiste Limoin in the presence of 23 French companies.

The French minister pointed out that his country is only 1.2 percent of the Iraqi market, and that this first step will be 'to return to the level of trade that was before the year 2014, since then decreased trade exchange by 61 percent.'

"Iraq is now in a period of stability and reconstruction, and we have our capabilities that provide answers to the reconstruction needs of this country," he said, referring to the energy, transport, infrastructure, agriculture and health sectors.

The French minister also pointed out that his country proposed to Iraq to develop a 'data center' to develop the Iraqi administration.

For his part, said the head of the Iraqi Investment Commission Sami Araji told AFP 'we want French companies to play a role in the reconstruction of Iraq because it is excellent in various fields'.

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