Company Plans Sulaimani-Kirkuk Rail Link

SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – A company in Sulaimaini has planned a railroad link to the city of Kirkuk, its director said.

“The project is very strategic. It will be used for the transportation of passengers and goods, and this will have a positive impact on reducing the load on roads between the two cities,” said Faruk Mala Mustafa, head of Faruk Holding, a giant firm involved in construction, communications and a string of other sectors.

“The Kurdistan Regional Government has approved the implementation of the railroad between Kirkuk and Sulaimani. The project implementation will start this year and the first phase of the project will cost $2 billion,” he added.

The length of the rail link will be around 110 kilometers, and the project is designed by a Hungarian company, Mustafa said.

“The second phase will extend to Penjwin city, cost $6 billion and provide a large number of job opportunities for Kurdish people,” according to Mustafa.

He said the project, signed by Kurdistan Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, will be a joint venture, and encouraged the Iraqi government to take part.

“I have talked to three big companies to carry out the implementation. I also need to talk to the Iraqi government, as well as farmers whose lands will be destroyed but who will be compensated,” Mustafa explained.