An Alstom-led consortium, together with its partner Hyundai Engineering & Construction, have signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the Ministry of Transport for the Baghdad elevated train (BET).

The LoI involves defining a framework for all the appropriate steps to accelerate the implementation of 20 kilometre-long elevated rail scheme.

The BET will have 14 stations and includes the supply of rolling stock, electromechanical systems, tracks and associated civil works. The light rail system will link Al-Khadumia, Al-Etafia, Alsarafia bridge Al-Mustansirya, Wazyria and Al-Shab over 16km, and Al-Etafia Al-Muthana airport to Al-Alawi over 4km.

The LoI was signed during Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s official visit to Paris.

MEED reported in September 2019 that Iraq was considering how to proceed with the Baghdad Metro project. At the time, it was understood that Alstom had completed the design and consultancy studies for the metro in 2018.

Alstom and South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction were also understood to have bid for the $2.5bn scheme in 2018. The team also arranged a soft loan offer from a consortium of five banks led by Germany’s Deutsche Bank.

Previously, in December 2017, Alstom signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi government for the development of light rail projects in Baghdad and Basra. The agreement for the 20km Baghdad Metro covers the supply of rolling stock, electromechanical systems, tracks and associated civil works.