Iraq's national investment commission (NIC) and the Diwaniya governorate (administrative division) have signed an investment contract with al-Nasiriyah Kuwaiti company to construct Al-Diwaniya international commercial airport.
The chairman of NIC, Dr. Sami al- Araji said the project will be the first nucleus for development in Diwania province and it is the first project in Iraq for air cargo plus a free zone with
logistics services.
Originally, the new facility was intended to be the main airport for transporting agricultural products and a centre for imports and distribution to the southern and central areas of Iraq, as the
site is less than two hours by car or truck away from all main cities in southern Iraq. Al-Diwaniya will focus on attracting logistics companies and international cargo agents.
The new airport will be built adjacent to a railroad linking the capital Baghdad with Basrah, the main port of Iraq.
According to plans, the airport will be constructed on an area of some 700 hectares and will have a 3,600 m long runway that will enable it to handle all types of aircraft. The total cost
for the cargo-only airport is estimated at around U.S. $1.35 billion.
Nol van Fenema
Write a comment