Minister of Transport Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El‑Wazir and his French counterpart Philippe Tabarot inspected on Monday the Alstom industrial complex in New Borg El Arab, accompanied by French Ambassador Eric Chevallier. The visit comes within the framework of Egypt–France strategic co‑operation in transport and efforts to localise railway industry in Egypt.
The complex, built on 40 feddans, includes two main factories: one for electrical systems (77% complete, due November 2026) and another for manufacturing all types of rolling stock, from metro and tram cars to LRT, monorail and high‑speed trains. The project has already created 1,000 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs.
During the tour, both ministers stressed accelerating construction of the second factory to boost production capacity for local needs and exports. El‑Wazir highlighted the importance of the project in supporting Egypt’s national plan to localise heavy industries, reduce reliance on foreign currency, and expand exports to Middle Eastern and African markets. Tabarot expressed satisfaction with the visit, praising the partnership as a model of fruitful co‑operation.
The ministers also held talks on joint projects, including the sixth metro line (Al‑Khossous to New Maadi, extending to New Cairo), with rolling stock and systems to be produced at the Alstom complex. They reviewed progress on supplying 55 trains for Metro Line 1, upgrading signalling systems, and railway projects such as Cairo–Alexandria trade logistics, the Manashy–6th of October line linking the dry port to Alexandria ports, and the Robeiky–10th of Ramadan–Belbeis line.
This visit underscores Egypt’s commitment to railway localisation, France transport co‑operation, metro expansion, and regional logistics hub.
