Diwaniyah: Diwaniyah Governor Abbas al-Zamili revealed the fate of the green belt project in Diwaniyah, while also outlining new investment opportunities that have become operational after addressing previous obstacles. In a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency (NINA), al-Zamili said, “The green belt project is a very difficult undertaking for our province, unlike other provinces that have open borders with neighboring provinces and countries, and whose green belt routes have not witnessed residential encroachments or informal settlements.”
According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Zamili pointed out that “most of the areas along the green belt route in Diwaniyah are populated and have existing encroachments.” He added, “The maps for the green belt route are ready and complete, but there are difficulties in implementing them on the ground in several locations. Therefore, there is no investment in the green belt in Diwaniyah. Consequently, we have begun working to utilize existing sites along the green belt route by transforming them into green spaces. We are also relying on the airport and industrial city projects, which have presented investment opportunities in developing green spaces around their perimeters.”
Regarding the obstacles to investment, Al-Zamili explained, “The obstacles stem from the approval process and involve 18 government departments. However, the governorate is focusing on simplifying procedures and moving forward to achieve significant progress in the investment sector.” Concerning new investment opportunities, the governor of Diwaniyah confirmed that “the Chinese company investing in the Diwaniyah cement plant has commenced operations, and a consortium of Iraqi and foreign companies has taken possession of the iron and steel plant site in the south of the governorate and begun work. We also have modern residential complex projects that have been referred for investment after addressing their administrative hurdles, and there are high-quality investment opportunities in the agricultural sector where companies have already begun work.”