Egypt’s Minister of Transportation Kamel El-Wazir has announced that the General Authority for Transportation Projects Planning has completed the environmental, economic feasibility, and technical studies for the railway connection project with Sudan.
El-Wazir also noted that a contract will soon be signed with an international company specialised in this field.
The minister’s remarks came during his participation on Saturday in the first forum of heads of African investment promotion agencies. The event, which is taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, was organised by the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), under the slogan “Integration for Growth”.
El-Wazir said that the line will pass from Aswan to Lake Nasser, with a 6 km bridge to be constructed, and onto Wadi Halfa in Sudan.
The minister added that Sudan has expressed its desire to extend the line to Abu Hamad, and then to Khartoum.
An railways interchange station will be established in Abu Hamad, as well as a project to construct the Matrouh-Jarjoub railway line, at a length of 45 km. This is in addition to the rehabilitation of the Matrouh-Salloum line, at a length of 270 km, and its extension to Benghazi, at a length of 560 km.
Moreover, El-Wazir highlighted the importance of developing Egypt’s marine ports, as 37 km of berths are currently being implemented. This includes 12 km at the Ain Sokhna Port, in addition to berths in the Alexandria, Safaga and Dekheila ports.
All ports will be connected by railways and land roads, in order to transport products from factories to seaports for export.
