The Egyptian Minister of Transport Kamel al-Wazir announced a contract with the “Abella Egypt” company, owned by businessman Naguib Sawiris, to manage and operate the Egyptian National Railway authority’s trains.
The minister’s statements came during a session on opportunities for private sector participation in the transport sector, which was held as part of the activities of the second day of the “Economic Conference – Egypt 2022”.
Wazir reviewed the new investment opportunities available for private sector participation in railway projects, represented in the establishment of a distinguished transport company.
He also referred to the establishment of a company to manage and operate the new Talgo trains and air-conditioned first and second class trains, from a contract to supply 1,350 vehicles, currently being supplied by the Hungarian Ganz Mavag Company.
This will provide a quality service to passengers and to rehabilitate 391 old locomotives available to private sector companies.
Wazir referred to the rehabilitation and upgrading of passenger coaches with 340 regular coaches available to private sector companies, and the rehabilitation, management and operation of the Abu Tartour – Qena line, with a length of 350 km.
He said that a study was conducted to rehabilitate the Abu Tartour – Qena line, modify its route to adjust the curves and reach the best route for the project, and to link it to the interchange station between Qena electric train and diesel, in light of the Ministry of Petroleum establishing a factory for the production of phosphoric acid in the Abu Tartour area.
