Baghdad: Ali Ahmed Al-Baroudi, Executive Secretary of the National Committee for Facilitating Transport and Trade in the ESCWA region, affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, confirmed that Iraq presented three strategic initiatives to enhance the continuity of transport, trade, and supply chains in the Arab region. This came during his participation in the third virtual meeting held by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), with the participation of a number of Arab countries and international and Arab organizations.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Baroudi explained that the meeting addressed the completion of Arab initiatives related to finding alternative routes and paths for transport during times of crisis, especially in light of the repercussions of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its potential impact on transport, trade, and supply chains.
He added that the meeting discussed the initiatives presented by the Executive Secretariat of the National Committee, with the approval of the Chairman of the National Committee, which included three main axes: supporting the Iraqi Development Road project, digital transformation for transport data exchange, and establishing an Arab center for early warning and supply chain continuity.
The first initiative, ‘The Iraqi Development Road,’ aims to establish a strategic corridor linking the Arabian Gulf to Europe via Iraq and Turkey. This corridor is expected to provide an important trade and transport route, enhancing the sustainability of supply chains in the Arab region.
The second initiative focuses on digital transformation and the establishment of a joint Arab platform for exchanging transport and logistics data. The platform aims to enhance electronic connectivity between transport, customs, and border crossing authorities in Arab countries, enabling real-time information exchange on truck and goods movement, border crossing data, and logistics performance indicators. This initiative is expected to reduce transit times and increase the efficiency of trade.
The third initiative involves establishing an Arab center for a regional early warning and supply chain continuity system. This center would exchange information related to risks that could affect trade routes, analyze geopolitical and natural risks, assess their impact on trade, propose alternative routes, and issue early warnings and periodic reports to decision-makers regarding potential disruptions or closures.
Al-Baroudi emphasized that launching these initiatives is part of an effort to enhance the ability of Arab countries to proactively address transport and trade crises, diversify trade routes, and ensure the continuity of supply chains. He noted that this represents a significant pathway for development and positions Iraq as a pivotal player in the movement of transport and trade between the Arab region and Europe.