The Impacts of the Development Road Project on International Trade: A Pestel Analysis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37241/jatss.2025.141

Keywords:

Development Road Project, transportation diplomacy, PESTEL analysis, international trade, trade corridors

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, changes in global supply chains, the growing need for energy security, and regional geopolitical transformations have increased the strategic importance of transportation infrastructures. In this context, the Development Road Project, launched under the leadership of Türkiye and Iraq, stands out as an alternative trade corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to Europe. The Development Road not only enhances economic integration between the two countries but also serves as a concrete example of Türkiye's strategy to expand its regional influence through transportation diplomacy. This study aims to reveal the potential impacts of the Development Road Project on international trade through a multidimensional analysis.

Method: Accordingly, the project’s political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental, and legal dimensions have been examined in detail using the PESTEL analysis method.

Results or Findings: The findings indicate that the project not only contributes to the trade volume between Türkiye and Iraq but also supports regional stability, facilitates the creation of new logistics hubs, and strengthens Türkiye's influence along the Middle Corridor. However, issues such as financing structure, security risks, regional competition, and infrastructure incompatibilities present significant challenges to the project.

Discussion or Conclusion: The Development Road Project offers a strategic opportunity for Türkiye to enhance its position in international trade and logistics in alignment with sustainable development goals.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Agboklou, K., Özkan, B., & Gujrati, R. (2024). Challenges to achieving zero hunger by 2030: The impact of armed conflict on global food security with a focus on the Russo-Ukrainian War. Journal of Lifestyle and SDG’s Review, 4 (1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.37497/2965-730X.SDGsReview.v4.n00.pe01595.

Ahmad, R., & Al-Aidami, H. (2025). Economic importance of Faw's Large Port and its role in promoting sustainable development in Iraq. Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 31(146), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.33095/dfv7wp95

Akgüngör, A., Korkmaz, E., & Doğan, E. (2024). Kalkınma Yolu Projesinin ülkeler arası ve bölgesel yolculuk ve yük taleplerine olan etkisi. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı, (1), 52–69. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/uab/issue/89656/1581067

Alaca, M. (2024, April 22). Turkish president's Iraq visit to boost momentum for Development Road Project. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkish-presidents-iraq-visit-to-boost-momentum-for-development-road-project/3199087

Anadolu Ajansı (2023, Eylül 15). Iraklılar Türkiye'nin liderlik ettiği Kalkınma Yolu Projesi'ni bekliyor. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/iraklilar-turkiyenin-liderlik-ettigi-kalkinma-yolu-projesini-bekliyor/2992494

Anadolu Ajansı. (2024, Nisan 21). Kalkınma Yolu ile nakliye süreci 25 güne düşecek. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/kalkinma-yolu-ile-nakliye-sureci-25-gune-dusecek/3198210

Aykan, B. (2024). Kalkınma Yolu Projesinin uluslararası ulaştırma koridorları ve ekonomik kalkınma açısından etkilerinin irdelenmesi. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı, (1), 114–133. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/uab/issue/89656/1605431

Baskın, H. Ç., & Özgöker, C. U. (2024). Will the Development Road Project be a threshold for the Islamic Common Market Initiative? IJO-International Journal of Business Management, 7(7), 1–14. https://ijojournals.com/index.php/bm/article/view/916

Baz, İ. (2024). Kalkınma Yolu Projesi üzerine genel bir değerlendirme. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı, (1), 24–32. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/uab/issue/89656/1571291

Çalışkan, S. (2024, June 4). China expands its oil ties in Iraq. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2024/06/china-expands-its-oil-ties-in-iraq/

Çamaş, T. (2024,). Çin Hindistan rekabeti ve Kalkınma Yolu Projesi. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı, (1), 146-165. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/uab/issue/89656/1605691

Çevik, V. A. (2025). Koridor savaşları çağında Kalkınma Yolu: Fırsatlar ve zorluklar. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 16(1), 249–267. https://doi.org/10.36362/gumus.1514703

Hasan, H. (2024, March 11). Iraq’s Development Road: Geopolitics, rentierism, and border connectivity. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/03/iraqs-development-road-geopolitics-rentierism-and-border-connectivity?lang=en&center=middle-east

Kırar, A. M., & Olgun, H. (2023). Türkiye’de enerji kooperatiflerinin GZFT (güçlü, zayıf, fırsat, tehdit yönleri) ve PEST (politik, ekonomik, sosyolojik, teknolojik etkenler) analizleri ile değerlendirilmesi. Politeknik Dergisi, 27(1), 11–20. https://doi.org/10.2339/politeknik.956630

Kocakaya, G. (2024). Towards a sustainable blue economy in Türkiye: An overview of key sectors and SDG 14 targets. In B. E. Balın, D. M. Akan, F. Özenç, & Ö. Garan (Eds.), Pursuing sustainable development goals: The performance of Türkiye in the centennial of the Republic (pp. 627–651). İstanbul University Press. https://doi.org/10.26650/B/SS10.2024.013.022

Koç, E. (2025). Opportunities and objections in the Iraq Development Road Project: A focus on Erbil-Baghdad disputes in a federal framework. [Special Issue], Journal of Legal and Political Studies, 13, 689-700. https://doi.org/10.17656/jlps.10318

Oral, M. (2024). Bir bölge olarak Orta Doğu, sorunları ve olası iş birliği kazanımları. Dünya Coğrafyası ve Kalkınma Perspektifi Dergisi, (5), 35–49. https://doi.org/10.58606/jwgdp.1451170

Orhan, A., & Oflaz, E. (2024). Kalkınma Yolu Projesinin ekonomideki sıçrama etkisine yapısal inşacı bir yaklaşım. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı, (1), 102–113. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/uab/issue/89656/1571511

Özçubukçu, M. G. (2024, Nisan 29). Kalkınma Yolu Projesi: Geleceğe uzanan köprü. TÜRKINFORM. https://www.turksam.org/detay-kalkinma-yolu-projesi-gelecege-uzanan-kopru

Öztürk, B. (2025). The Development Road Project (DRP): Transforming the nature of Türkiye-Iraq relations. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs, 29(2), 196-213. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/perception/issue/89886/1563193

Öztürk, K. (2024, Nisan 25). Irak Türkiye: Ortak bir gelecek arayışı. Kemalozturk.com.tr. https://kemalozturk.com.tr/blog/irak turkiye ortak bir gelecek arayisi/

Rahiman, H. U., Sarea, A., & Kodikal, R. (2024). Russia-Ukraine conflict: Will attainment of Sustainable Development Goals be a dream? Owing to increasing risk in global supply chain. International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 16(3), 389–410. https://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJBEM.2024.139430

Rogers, D. (2021, September 21). Iraq’s Al Faw port to become largest in Middle East. Global Construction Review. https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/iraqs-al-faw-port-to-become-largest-in-middle-east/

Sayan, Ö. F. (2024). Kalkınma Yolu ve haberleşmeye etkisi. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı, (1), 1-22. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/uab/issue/89656/1571321

Türkiye İhracatçılar Meclisi. (2025, Nisan). Irak ülke bilgi notu. TİM Ekonomik Araştırmalar. Haziran 10, 2025 de https://tim.org.tr/tr/raporlar-bilgi-notlari den erişildi.

Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (2025, Ocak 31). Dış ticaret istatistikleri: Ülkelere göre dış ticaret verileri, 2024. https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Dis-Ticaret-Istatistikleri-Aralik-2024-53538

White, E., & England, A. (2022, February 1). China pours money into Iraq as US retreats from Middle East. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/f2ef2f3f-c663-4ce8-82d8-8c95ba23de97

World Bank. (2023, November). Middle trade and transport corridor: Policies and investments to triple freight volumes and halve travel time by 2030. World Bank Publications. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/40626

Yaseen, F. A. (2024). Iraq’s Development Road Project: The legitimacy of the ambition and the limitations of the regional and international geostrategic competition. The International and Political Journal, (60), 513–526. https://doi.org/10.31272/ipj.i60.370

Yılmaz, N. (2024). Kalkınma Yolu Projesi’nin Irak ve Ortadoğu jeopolitiğine etkisi. Ulaştırma ve Altyapı, (1), 34-50. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/uab/article/1580117

Published

23-12-2025

How to Cite

Erdoğan, U. (2025). The Impacts of the Development Road Project on International Trade: A Pestel Analysis. Journal of Applied And Theoretical Social Sciences, 7(4), 494–514. https://doi.org/10.37241/jatss.2025.141