The economic and social impacts of the development path in Iraq (a forward-looking vision)
A thesis submitted to
Council of the College of Administration and Economics
University of Karbala
It is part of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economic Sciences
by the student
Marwa hassen Hadi Al-Masoudi
Supervised by
Ph.d. Prof. Talib Hussein Fares Assist. Prof. Dr. Shaimaa Rashid Mohsen
The research deals with the development road project in Iraq, which represents one of the major integrated economic development projects, the first stages of which have been initiated through the Grand Faw Port Project, the dry canal and a group of other projects. The project represents a new development vision for the Iraqi economy. The research attempted to provide theoretical foundations for it through economic development literature and analysis of the reality of the data and information available about the project to crystallize a forward-looking vision of its development dimensions in the transportation sector and the Iraqi economy and the economic and social impacts expected to result from the implementation of the project by using the
study of some similar international experiences. The research problem was that, despite the strategic importance of the Iraqi Development Road Project
and its role in promoting sustainable development, there are many questions and challenges related to its effectiveness in achieving the desired goals. One
of the most important of these challenges is the absence of comprehensive studies that anticipate the expected economic and social impacts. The
hypothesis was that the Development Road Project represents an important opportunity to contribute to enhancing economic growth, diversifying sources
of income, creating job opportunities, developing investment, transferring technology, improving the infrastructure of the transportation sector and other
sectors, and enhancing Iraq’s international and regional integration. This can be achieved through the success of government investment policies, providing
an attractive investment environment, and addressing security and political challenges. The research relied on the deductive approach through descriptive
analysis and prospective analysis based on collecting and analyzing data and information related to the project. It also relied on the inductive approach
through quantitative and statistical analysis, comparing results, and analyzing economic data in Iraq and studied international experiences. The research
concluded with a set of recommendations that support the development of a decision-maker’s perspective on the project within the framework of
economic analysis. The Development Road Project holds significant potential to achieve a tangible positive impact on growth, investment, employment, and
poverty levels in Iraq by improving transportation infrastructure, facilitating the movement of goods and services, stimulating economic activity, and
enhancing access to basic services. However, these benefits will only be realized through integrated strategic planning, robust management, and meticulous
implementation that takes into account all economic, social, and environmental aspects. This creates a comprehensive platform for the project,
contributing to building a strong economy and a cohesive society capable of meeting development challenges and achieving comprehensive well-being for
citizens. Keywords: Economic development, transportation sector, strong push theory, balanced growth theory, megaprojects.
