OPEC producer Iraq has approved projects to build 15 new residential cities within plans to tackle a persistent housing crisis, the Construction and Housing Minister has said. 

Bankin Rikani said the new cities would be constructed in different parts of Iraq and that the Ministry is taking measures to prepare for their execution. 

In a statement carried by Aliqtisd News and other Iraqi publications on Thursday, Rikani said the measures include preparing roads that will link these cities and inviting bids for power and other infrastructure projects on the planned sites. 

“We are working to complete all procedures to start projects to construct 15 new residential cities that have been approved by the cabinet,” Rikani said, adding that the new cities would “effectively contribute to resolving the housing crisis.” 

(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)

(anoop.menon@lseg.com)