Iraq has invited bids from five companies to provide consultancy services for the planned Baghdad elevated metro project, the official Alsabah daily said on Wednesday.

The five firms comprise Yapi Merkezi of Turkey, one from France and three from Lebanon, including Khatib and Alami, and Dar Al-Handasah, the paper said, quoting Transport Ministry Undersecretary Salman Al-Bahadli.

"We will select one company within 15 days as the Ministry is determined to execute the project as soon as possible," Bahadli said.

He said authorities are working to clear technical obstacles including shifting of water sewage and telecommunication networks through which the metro line will pass.

Zawya had reported that the Iraqi government has inked a memorandum of intent with an Alstom-led consortium for Bagdad Metro.

Officials have previously said the project, which involves building a 20-km rail network and 14 stations, would cost around $2.5 billion.

(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com)

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