Egypt, Sudan strengthen infrastructure collaboration

Egypt’s Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir met with Sudanese Minister of Urban Development, Roads and Bridges Salah Hamed Ismail to explore avenues of cooperation across various transport sectors.

El-Wazir affirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting development and infrastructure efforts in Sudan and noted the growing involvement of Egyptian companies in major Sudanese projects, as per a Cabinet statement on Tuesday.

He pointed to the ongoing cooperation in river transport, citing a joint protocol between Egypt’s River Transport Authority (RTA), the Nile Valley Navigation Authority, and Sudan’s River Navigation Authority.

The agreement includes the EGP 300 million redevelopment of the Wadi Halfa river port, with 69 per cent progress so far. Egypt is also upgrading navigational aids along a 350-kilometre stretch between Aswan and Wadi Halfa.

The two sides also reviewed cooperation within the Victoria-Mediterranean navigational corridor project, where Sudan is an active member of the steering committee, as per the statement.

Sudan is interested in awarding road infrastructure projects to Egyptian firms like Arab Contractors, General Authority for Roads and Bridges, Egyptian Company for Self-Maintenance for Roads and Airport, and Hassan Allam Construction.

The discussion addressed recent Sudanese revisions to crossing fees and the potential impact on trade. Egypt proposed forming a joint committee to resolve operational and procedural issues at border crossings.

Meanwhile, El-Wazir emphasised that joint coordination in transport supports economic integration and sustainable development, reiterating Egypt’s full support for Sudan, the statement added.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. SalamaSubediting: M. S. Salama