Iraq says 90% of Anbar-Baghdad-Babylon trade hub completed

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Transport said construction and operation work is continuing on a network of trade exchange hubs around Baghdad, designed to regulate the flow of transport and commerce in the capital and ease traffic congestion. The ministry said the 400-donum Anbar-Baghdad-Babylon hub project has reached 90% completion, with current work focused on connecting the site to an international express highway. Coordination with the relevant authorities is under way to prepare the hub for operation, the ministry added. Progress on the 384-donum Salahaddin-Baghdad hub stands at 25%. The ministry attributed the delay to land allocation procedures at the State Property Department and said the comprehensive surveying and allocation work has reached its final stage. For the 210-donum Kut-Baghdad hub, the land is being transferred to the General Directorate of Road Transport. Construction will begin once the ownership transfer fee is paid, according to the ministry. The ministry also said the Ministry of Construction and Housing has approved the project suitability of the 350-donum Diyala-Baghdad hub and that implementation work is continuing.