Market Overview
Iraq is rebuilding its rail infrastructure after decades of conflict and underinvestment. The Iraqi Republic Railways (IRR) network, once connecting Baghdad to Mosul, Basra, and the Syrian and Turkish borders, requires extensive rehabilitation. Baghdad is planning a metro system to address severe urban congestion, with feasibility studies supported by Chinese and South Korean companies. Iraq's oil revenues provide potential financing capacity for major rail investment. A new standard gauge line connecting Baghdad to Basra and the southern ports is under study. Cross-border rail links to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey are part of Iraq's long-term connectivity vision. Chinese companies have been particularly active in Iraqi infrastructure discussions, given China's role as Iraq's largest oil customer and infrastructure partner under the oil-for-projects framework.