[Iraq announces the launch of a $17 billion transportation project] the Development Road Conference chaired by Iraqi Prime Minister Sadani was held in Baghdad on 27 May local time. Transport ministers and senior representatives from 10 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, as well as representatives of the European Union and the World Bank attended the meeting. The participants held consultations on strengthening regional partnerships, achieving regional economic integration, and building an economic development platform to enhance the capacity to respond to regional economic challenges. At the meeting, Iraq announced the launch of a $17 billion transportation project to connect important cargo ports along the country's southern coast with the Turkish border by expanding its rail and road network, aimed at changing Iraq's economic difficulties after a long period of war. Sudani said that this transportation project across Iraq will become a "pillar" of the non-oil economy and a "hub" to serve Iraq and its neighboring countries.