The LoI was signed by all three parties during Iraqi prime minister Mr Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s official visit to Paris, in the presence of Mr Jean Castex, the French prime minister.
The 20km BET elevated light rail network will comprise a 16km line between Kadhimiya, Al-Etafia, Al-Sarafiya Bridge, Al-Mustansiriya, Waziriyah and Sha’ab, and a 4km line from Al-Etafia via Al-Muthana Airport to Al-Alawi, serving 14 stations.
The contract would include the supply of rolling stock, electro-mechanical systems, track, and associated civil works.
The project is expected provide a boost to the Iraqi economy through the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
According to Mr Müslüm Yakisan, Alstom’s senior vice-president for Africa, Middle-East and Central Asia, the project will also help to improve mobility across the city and relieve traffic congestion.
The LoI follows a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Alstom in December 2017 for the project.
