OPEC member Iraq is expected to award a project for the construction of an elevated rail network linking the central cities of Najaf and Karbala to a Chinese company, the local media said on Wednesday.

The state-owned General Company for Iraqi Railways (GCIR) discussed the project with the China North Industries Group Corp (Norinco) in Baghdad on Tuesday and agreed that the designs for the project are to be carried out by the Chinese firm, Al-Forat News said.

The project, on the cards for years, will be funded through a Chinese government loan to Iraq, the report said.

"Norinco had earlier submitted an offer to carry out this strategic project which will largely facilitate the movement of visitors between the two cities," it said.

The project would be launched after it is approved by the central government in Baghdad, it added.

(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com)

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