Egypt-France Transportation Cooperation Continues To Grow
A recent meeting between the Egyptian Ministry of Transport and the French Embassy in Cairo focused on expanding collaboration in the transportation sector. The successful history of partnership between Egypt and France in railway and subway projects was acknowledged.
Key highlights of the ongoing cooperation include:
- The partnership with the French company Vinci on the establishment of the metro’s third line.
- An upcoming collaboration with French Alstom to create an industrial hub in Alexandria’s Borg El Arab, aimed at localising various railway industries such as mobile units and electromechanical systems.
The scheduled signing of a major contract at the upcoming TRANSMEA2023 conference in November, marks a significant milestone in the transport sector cooperation.
The Ministry of Transport’s cooperation with several French companies, including the French company RATP which manages and operates the third line of the metro and the CMA company which operates the Tahya Misr multi-purpose station in Alexandria Port, was noted as evidence of the strengthening relationship between the two countries.
Additionally, the review of joint projects like the introduction of 55 new air-conditioned trains for the metro’s first line was highlighted. These initiatives fall under the joint roadmap between the Egyptian Ministry of Transport and the French Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Furthermore, discussions on the projects to electrify a railway line and transform it into a metro, along with the rehabilitation of the Raml tram, were also on the agenda. The French Agency is reportedly contributing to the financing of these two projects.
A pivotal moment post-discussion was the signing of a memorandum concerning the second phase of studies for the sixth metro line. This project, part of a roadmap between the two countries, involves a grant worth 8 million euros from the French Treasury to support the study. The sixth metro line project aims to alleviate congestion on the existing lines and enhance the overall public transportation system in Cairo. This line, spanning 34 km and housing 26 stations, demonstrates the shared commitment to promoting sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.