Egypt's National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) signed a €275.02 million contract agreement with the National Egyptian Railway Industries Company (NERIC) in East Port Said to supply 21 metro trains comprising 189 carriages for the Alexandria Metro Project. The agreement includes the supply of spare parts and equipment, along with maintenance services for 10 years, including one major overhaul, with a contract period of 38 months, as per a Cabinet statement. Prime Minister said that the agreement is part of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's directives to boost sustainable, eco-friendly public transport in Alexandria, aligning with the Ministry of Transport's green transport projects. Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir stated that the signing is in line with the President's directives to localise industries in Egypt, including the railway sector, to make Egypt a regional industrial hub. He added that this agreement is part of a series of contracts between the ministry and NERIC to localise the railway industry in Egypt. A previous contract was signed to produce 40 metro trains (a total of 320 new air-conditioned metro carriages). In addition, another contract shall be concluded for the manufacture and supply of 500 railway carriages to be produced locally in cooperation with a major global transport company, El-Wazir announced. He also highlighted that the Alexandria Metro Project will significantly enhance sustainable green public transport in Alexandria, supporting the governorate's rapid economic and social development goals. Construction is ongoing for the first phase of the Alexandria Metro, spanning 21.7 km from Abu Qir to Misr railway station. The line will have 20 stations, with 6 at ground level and 14 elevated. El-Wazir confirmed that the project aims to ensure safe operation of the line, particularly through the removal of level crossings and numerous unauthorised intersections with road traffic. It will also accommodate increased transport demand and several journeys, help reduce traffic congestion in Alexandria, and cut fuel consumption, since the system will run on clean electric power. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
