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Home›Tomorrow›The Visions›Iraq Vision 2030

Tomorrow · Iraq

Iraq Vision 2030 and the Development Road

Iraq's vision for 2030 combines the national development plan with one of the region's boldest transport projects, the Development Road, linking Grand Faw Port on the Gulf to Türkiye and Europe. For visitors drawn to Mesopotamia's heritage and for investors watching a reopening economy, here is the picture.

Updated

At a glance

Iraq Vision 2030 at a glance

Plan
National Development Plan 2024 to 2028, guided by Iraq Vision 2030
Flagship
Development Road, Grand Faw Port to the Turkish border
Grand Faw Port
Designed for about 99 million tons a year at full build-out
Heritage
Babylon, Ur, Hatra and the Erbil Citadel

Iraq's plans in brief

Iraq Vision 2030, prepared by the Ministry of Planning with international partners, outlines long-term goals for a diversified economy, better services and human development. It is put into practice through five-year National Development Plans, the latest covering 2024 to 2028. The name 'Iraq Vision 2030' is used for this framework, though day-to-day policy is set mainly through the development plans, so we describe both here.

The plans prioritize diversifying away from oil, reviving agriculture and industry, rebuilding infrastructure and improving housing and public services. See the national visions of the Middle East for the wider region.

The palm-inspired lattice of Basra International Stadium reflected in a pool behind the I Love Basra sign.
Photo: Taha9009 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Flagship projects

To be confirmed

Development Road

Basra to the Turkish border

A planned corridor of highway and railway of about 1,200 km linking the Gulf with Türkiye and onward to Europe, with Qatar, the UAE and Türkiye as partners. The first road section near the port has been completed.

To be confirmed

Grand Faw Port

Al-Faw Peninsula, Basra

A deep-water port at the southern start of the Development Road, designed to make Iraq a regional trade hub.

Babylon and heritage restoration

Across Iraq

Conservation at UNESCO-listed sites such as Babylon and Erbil Citadel. See UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Bismayah New City

South of Baghdad

One of the region's largest housing projects, with tens of thousands of new homes.

What it means for visitors

Iraq holds some of humanity's oldest treasures: Babylon, the ziggurat of Ur, the marshes of the south and the citadel of Erbil, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited places. Travel is growing, especially in the Kurdistan Region, where Erbil has international hotels, a lively bazaar and direct flights from Europe and the Gulf. Spring is the loveliest season, when the northern mountains turn green, and autumn suits the archaeological sites of the south. Iraq is also home to some of the most important shrines in Shia Islam, at Najaf and Karbala, which welcome millions of pilgrims each year. See our Iraq heritage travel guide, Erbil travel and the history and culture of Iraq.

What it means for investors

Infrastructure, energy, housing and logistics offer the clearest opportunities, often through partnerships with government bodies. Property ownership by foreigners is restricted, so investors usually work through companies. The Development Road, if completed as planned, would create new logistics zones, industrial cities and service towns along its route, and Grand Faw Port is already attracting interest from international shipping lines. Take specialist local advice.

Questions visitors and investors

Questions visitors and investors ask

Is there an official Iraq Vision 2030?

Yes, as a long-term framework from the Ministry of Planning; policy is delivered mainly through five-year National Development Plans, currently 2024 to 2028.

What is the Development Road?

A planned road and rail corridor from Grand Faw Port on the Gulf to the Turkish border, linking Asia and Europe.

When will the Development Road be finished?

It is being built in phases; no firm completion date has been confirmed.

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Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.