(Photo: Al-Sudani's media office)
Monitor
‘Basra is Iraq’s economic capital,’ Al-Sudani says at project inauguration
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani inaugurated three industrial projects in Basra on Wednesday via videoconference, including the long-delayed steel plant at the State Company for Iron and Steel, marking what he called a step toward building “a comprehensive national industry that meets local demand and enables exports.”
“These three projects affirm that Basra is Iraq’s economic capital,” the prime minister said, emphasizing the creation of job opportunities and the city’s role in supplying vital construction materials.
“We support local, Arab, and foreign private sector companies as essential partners in introducing modern technology, operating factories, and establishing new ones,” he said.
Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani inaugurated today, Wednesday, via videoconference, the steel plant at the State Company for Iron and Steel in Basra Province, which was rehabilitated with an annual capacity of 600,000 tons. The project had faced suspension and delays for more than 20 years.
The Prime Minister also launched the construction of the Industrial City in Al-Zubair District, one of the first and largest projects linked to the Development Road. The project has a total cost of $2 billion, spans an area of 3,000 dunams, and will host around 20 diverse factories for steel, metal casting, rolling, pipe treatments, wire production, aluminum alloys, ceramics, doors, and construction materials. It also includes a 1,000-megawatt power station and a 500-meter waterfront on Khor Al-Zubair.
Additionally, the Prime Minister launched the construction of the Basra Chlorine and Caustic Soda Plant, a joint investment between the State Company for Chemical Industries and private sector companies. The project is valued at $130 million, with a production capacity exceeding 40,000 tons annually.
The Prime Minister commended the Ministry of Industry’s efforts and directed continued work to finalize investment opportunities and facilitate the implementation of private sector projects. He affirmed the government’s full support for all initiatives aimed at creating a modern industrial sector.
Key highlights from the Prime Minister’s remarks during the inauguration:
🔷 While preparing for the Arab Summit to be held in Baghdad, the development and construction continues across our beloved Iraq.
🔷 Today, we launch construction work in cooperation with one of the most prominent Chinese companies.
🔷 These three projects affirm that Basra is Iraq’s economic capital.
🔷 Basra hosts vital projects across multiple sectors, creating job opportunities for its residents and those of other provinces.
🔷 The industrial city will include factories that supply building materials for housing projects and support other sector factories.
🔷 The contract for the industrial city mandates that at least 50% of the workforce be hired locally.
🔷 These industries will form the technological foundation by supplying essential materials and metals for other manufacturing sectors.
🔷 The industrial city features a waterfront on Khor Al-Zubair, facilitating the loading and unloading of raw materials and finished products.
🔷 Progress on these projects confirms that Iraq is an industrial country with all the conditions necessary to establish a comprehensive national industry that meets local demand and enables exports.
🔷 The projects are planned to be completed with top specifications and advanced quality control systems.
🔷 These projects offer a golden opportunity for training and skill development for our engineers and youth.
🔷 The government remains committed to supporting the industrial sector across public, mixed, and private segments.
🔷 We support local, Arab, and foreign private sector companies as essential partners in introducing modern technology, operating factories, and establishing new ones.
