Egypt expects investment inflows in the transport sector to be around LE 50 billion over the next five years, according to Minister of Transports Mohammad Mansour. The investments are also expected to diversify in marine transports, railways, roads and bridges, river transport, and underground systems. Mansour said to an audience at the Cairo Investment Forum that a plan of action has been developed to promote transport systems in Egypt. He pointed out that the government has allocated about LE 5 billion in addition to a loan of LE 3.5 billion to promote the railways. The plan will include replacement of engine vehicles. Mansour noted that about 1.5 million passengers travel by trains daily in Egypt, but the railway company only has 200 engine vehicles. The Minister of Transports said that more than ten roads would be offered to investors in 2007. "Agreements have been sealed with some investors to construct railways in new cities with contributions from the government, he added. On river transport, Mansour said the government has increased the depth of more than 60 percent of the Nile to facilitate ships movement and attract investment in this vital business.
