Alstom, a world leader in integrated railway systems, has signed an agreement with Iraqi government for the development of urban transport in the country.

The MoU covers two major projects - a 20-km elevated train in Baghdad and development of a metro system in Basra, said senior officials after signing the deal at the Franco-Iraqi meeting in the presence of Dr Sami Al Araji, the head of National Investment Committee of Iraq and Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, French Secretary of State.

The first project will cover the implementation of the supply of rolling stock, electromechanical systems, tracks and associated civil works for the Iraqi capital. The light rail system would link areas of Al Mustansirya, Al Shab, Al Wazyria, Alsarafia Al Etafia bridge, Al Khadumia, Al Muthana airport and Al Alawi, they stated.

The second one will focus on the development of the metro system in Basra, which consists of two elevated lines of 30km each, 15 stations and one depot for each line from North to South, from Zubair to Shat Alarab and from East to West, from Karma to the Desert.

These projects would significantly contribute to the development of the country’s urban infrastructure and national economy, said a top Alstom official.

"We appreciate the opportunity to develop industrial cooperation with the Republic of Iraq, in order to better address the country’s needs for urban transportation," remarked Bernard Peille, the managing director of Alstom in Western and Central Asia.

"Alstom is ready to bring its innovative technologies and sees the signature of this MoU as a first step towards the development of a long-term partnership with Iraq," Peille added.

A major player in the region, Alstom is already well established in the Middle East & Africa with more than 3,800 employees and 1,800 suppliers. It is present in more than 15 countries in the region with offices and joint-ventures in Algeria, Morocco, South Africa and Kazakhstan.-TradeArabia News Service