Jafar Ghaderi, the representative of Shiraz and Zarqan in the Parliament, emphasized the industrial and mining capacities of Fars province, stating that despite having large steel, petrochemical, and mining complexes, the province lacks a railway infrastructure commensurate with its economic capacities. He added that the completion of the Shiraz-Bushehr and Shiraz-Gol-Gohar railways should be considered as part of the logistical network for Fars industries.
Emphasis on the Priority of Railway Projects
Ghaderi stated: Out of the 17 sections of the Shiraz-Bushehr axis, the first five sections can be prioritized, utilizing the capacity of large industries in the province for financing and accelerating their implementation. Additionally, four sections of the Shiraz-Gol-Gohar line can also reach the execution stage by leveraging the capacity of the province's large steel and mining industries.
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Proposed Financing Model for Projects
Regarding the proposed financing model for these projects, he stated that in this model, 40% of the cost of each section could be covered by the benefiting industry, 30% by the private sector and investor companies, and 30% by the government. Ghaderi emphasized that the details of this model should be determined based on economic studies and the mechanism for return on investment.
The representative of Shiraz and Zarqan in the Parliament noted the high volume of transportation of raw materials and products of industries via road, pointing out that transferring part of this load to rail can reduce transportation costs, fuel consumption, and wear and tear on fleets and roads. Connecting Fars industries to the national railway network facilitates access to domestic production and consumption centers and southern ports.
Industry Participation in Infrastructure Projects
Ghaderi further stated: If the 9 targeted sections in the two axes of Shiraz-Gol-Gohar and Shiraz-Bushehr are executed with the participation of industries, this experience can be used to finance other sections of the Shiraz-Bushehr axis as well. He emphasized that large industries in Fars can create a model for stakeholder participation in national infrastructure projects by investing in infrastructure that connects to their economic interests.
In conclusion, Ghaderi stressed that a precise calculation of the direct benefits of large industries in Fars for financing these 9 sections should be defined within a transparent economic model so that part of the resources needed for the project can be secured from the capacity of industries, the private sector, and the government, thus completing one of the most important missing links in the production and export chain of Fars.
