TCDD Will Share Its Experience With Iraqi Railways

Concrete steps were taken to develop cooperation between the two countries with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the General Manager of the Republic of Turkey State Railways (TCDD), Metin Akbaş, and the Iraqi Republic Railways Company (IRR) General Manager Talib Jawad Kadhim.

Under the chairmanship of TCDD General Manager Metin Akbaş, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, TÜRASAŞ and TCDD technical senior officials held a series of meetings to develop cooperation and new projects in Iraq. Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (IKRG) Transport Minister Ano Cevher and Turkey's Ambassador to Baghdad Ali Rıza Güney also attended the meetings held at the invitation of IRR Chairman and General Manager Talib Jawad Kadhim.

During the meetings between the delegations, the establishment of a direct railway connection between our country and Iraq, and the development and improvement of the existing railway infrastructure in Iraq were the main agenda items.

In the highest level meetings held in Iraq in order to share the experience, possibilities and capabilities of TCDD, which is a pioneer in our region with its 165-year-old history, with neighboring railway companies, information was obtained about the current status and future projects of Iraqi railways and towed vehicles.

In the meetings between the technical delegations; It was decided that TCDD would share its knowledge on optimization of railway maintenance activities, heavy and light maintenance of towed vehicles, revision and improvement of vehicle maintenance workshops, human resources training, engineering and consultancy services.

The delegation then organized a technical trip from Baghdad Station to Hilla Station (Babylon), 102 km south. During the trip, which was held with the participation of IRR and KRG officials, the situation in Iraq's existing railway infrastructure and towed vehicles, road maintenance possibilities and capabilities were examined by the technical teams in the delegation and ideas were exchanged.

As a result of the meetings and technical examinations, various agreements were reached on road maintenance and training. It was decided to hold another online meeting within 15 days to develop cooperation, implement and implement the decisions taken.