Hengtong to establish $15m fibre optic cable plant in SCZone

Egypt’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Telecom Egypt, and the National Telecommunications Institute (NTI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese telecom giant Hengtong to establish a $15 million fibre optic cable factory.

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly attended the signing ceremony while taking part in the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit in Beijing.

The factory, the second for Hengtong in Egypt, is located in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) and will cover an area of 40,000 square metres and have an annual production capacity of 3 million kilometres of fibre optic cables. 40 per cent of this output is expected to be exported to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The partnership aims to strengthen Egypt’s telecommunications infrastructure and enhance its export capabilities in the technology sector.

As part of the agreement, Hengtong will collaborate with the NTI to create a training academy specialising in fibre optic communications. The academy will train and certify Egyptian youth in advanced fiber optic technologies.

Additionally, Hengtong and Telecom Egypt will jointly develop a training programme for students of WE Applied Technology Schools, focusing on the practical use of fibre optic cables.

Furthermore, the agreement includes a project to provide fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks for at least 2 million housing units in Egypt. This initiative will expand broadband access and improve connectivity for Egyptian residents.

Subediting: Y.Yasser