Istanbul: Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu on Monday emphasized the importance of enhancing transport connectivity and exploring alternative trade routes during discussions aimed at expanding economic cooperation between Trkiye and Belgium. The talks took place at a high-level economic panel in Istanbul, attended by Belgium’s Queen Mathilde and a Belgian delegation.
According to Anadolu Agency, Uraloglu stated that the two nations should deepen their cooperation and increase mutual investments in sectors such as trade, transport, technology, and defense. He underscored the necessity to improve connectivity and develop alternative routes to facilitate global trade amidst rising geopolitical and supply chain challenges.
Uraloglu highlighted Trkiye’s strategic position as a central hub, noting its access to 67 countries within a four-hour flight radius, collectively boasting a gross domestic product of $1.5 trillion. He pointed out the strategic significance of the Middle Corridor, a trade route linking Asia and Europe through Trkiye, with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the Marmaray undersea rail tunnel as critical components.
He also elaborated on the Development Road Project, a 1,200-kilometer highway and rail corridor involving the UAE, Qatar, Trkiye, and Iraq. This project begins from Iraq’s Grand Faw Port and could be completed within five to six years, providing a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally, Uraloglu announced plans for the government to invest approximately $8 billion in a new railway line on the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge to address capacity issues in Istanbul. Addressing environmental objectives, he noted that while maritime transport accounts for over 80% of global trade, expanding rail networks presents a more viable option for reducing emissions in the short term.
Uraloglu concluded by mentioning an agreement with Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele to further enhance bilateral relations in the maritime and rail sectors.