ENRA, Italy’s Salcef launch joint venture to revamp Egyptian railway network
The Egyptian National Railways Authority (ENRA) and Italian rail infrastructure contractor Salcef have launched a joint venture company Salcef Track, the country’s Ministry of Transport said in a statement on Wednesday.
The new joint venture will focus on the construction, renovation, and maintenance of railway lines over a 25-year period. The move is part of the Ministry of Transport’s broader strategy to modernise Egypt’s railway system, which includes five key components. A crucial aspect of this strategy is improving track and infrastructure to enhance safety and security across the national railway network.
Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, emphasised that the launch of the new joint venture aligns with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s vision to promote collaboration between the public and private sectors, both locally and internationally.
It also underscores Egypt’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies, transferring expertise, and providing training to Ministry of Transport’s staff to meet the highest standards of quality and precision in project execution.
Salcef Track will deploy state-of-the-art machinery, including a railway renovation train, as part of its operational resources. The company aims to renovate 300 km of tracks and 200 switches annually, with a minimum target of 100 km and 70 switches each year.
Over the course of the 25-year partnership, the joint venture plans to renew 2,500 km of tracks and 1,750 switches, while also constructing new railway lines across Africa and the Middle East.
Deputy Prime Minister El-Wazir noted that these upgrades will not only enhance passenger services but also strengthen ENRA’s ability to efficiently transport passengers and goods, reducing road congestion.
In parallel, the Ministry of Transport is upgrading its existing companies, such as Airtrack and Egiferay, by equipping them with the latest machinery and fostering partnerships with the national private sector. These efforts aim to ensure the successful implementation of railway renovation and construction projects, driving further modernisation of Egypt’s transport infrastructure.
Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: Y.Yasser
