Türkiye launches land corridor to Gulf, boosts regional logistics and trade

Israeli media has reported with concern on Türkiye's plan to open a land corridor through Syria and Jordan to Gulf countries. Ankara aims to become a regional logistics hub, countering trade initiatives led by India and Israel. Israeli news site Globes highlighted Trade Minister Ömer Bolat's statement that the corridor will open by next year at the latest, strengthening Türkiye's position not only in Syria but also in Israel's vicinity. The report noted Ankara is also working on renewing the Hejaz Railway and implementing the 'Development Road' project, intended as an alternative to trade corridors promoted by India and Israel, positioning Türkiye as a regional transport hub. Following Ahmed al-Sharaa's appointment in Syria last December, Turkish exporters resumed truck shipments to the Gulf for the first time in about 14 years. Exports via truck to Syria increased by 60% in the first half of 2025. Trade with Jordan is also rising, reaching $1.1 billion last year and expected to hit $1.6 billion by year-end. Bolat noted that Turkish contractors aim to participate in Jordan's $15 billion infrastructure projects. Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan plan to reconstruct the historic Hejaz Railway, which originally reduced travel from Damascus to Medina from 40 days to three. The new railway, about 1,750 km long, will handle freight and passengers, with 30 km of new tracks in Syria and Jordan responsible for infrastructure work. The Globes report stressed that revitalizing the Hejaz Railway is just one of several projects designed to make Türkiye a regional logistics hub. The 'Development Road' project is presented as a response to India's IMEC Corridor (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor), developed with U.S. support. A Türkiye-Iraq land corridor connecting southern Iraq's Basra province to Türkiye will be 1,200 km long and cost $17 billion, with phased completion from 2029 to 2050. Before completing the 'Development Road,' Türkiye plans to reactivate the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad container train line, strengthening ties with Pakistan and generating revenue for Iran. Türkiye's logistics strategy also extends to China. Amid disruptions in Red Sea shipping due to Houthi attacks and the 'Iron Sword War,' Türkiye's 'Middle Corridor' offers an alternative route for Chinese goods from China through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to Türkiye, from where they are shipped to Europe. In 2024, China-Europe rail traffic reached around 19,000 trips, over ten times the volume in 2016.

Türkiye launches land corridor to Gulf, boosts regional logistics and trade

Türkiye aims to open a corridor through Syria and Jordan, revive the historic Hejaz Railway, and expand trade routes connecting the Middle East, Europe, and China.