Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended the signing of an investment and shareholders’ agreement at the government headquarters in New Alamein City to found Modon Misr Transport Company. This entity has been established to operate and manage a smart transport initiative and sustainable public transport system across Egypt’s new urban communities.

Strategic Partnership to Enhance Urban Communities

The Modon Misr Transport Company combines resources from Madinet Masr for Asset and Facility Management, an affiliate of the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA), and the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Authority, alongside Mowasalat Misr, in which the National Bank of Egypt holds a financial stake. Based on an official cabinet statement, the initiative highlights active coordination between the Ministry of Housing and the Future of Egypt Authority aimed at establishing modern transit infrastructure powered by digital solutions to support ongoing national urban expansion.

Fleet Operations and Technological Infrastructure

Under the terms of the agreement, Modon Misr Transport Company will launch operations using an initial fleet of 200 new vehicles deployed in designated target cities. The scope of the project features an integrated fleet management model, which incorporates central and regional operations hubs alongside advanced on-board and station equipment across bus lines and depots.

To simplify commuter operations, the venture incorporates an electronic payment system created in partnership with the National Bank of Egypt. The enterprise will provide full insurance coverage for both passengers and vehicles, while instituting targeted workforce training initiatives. These programs aim to elevate the competencies of drivers, technical teams, and administrative personnel to align with international standards.

Comprehensive Workforce Training and Vision Realization

The cabinet emphasized that this modern operating structure is designed to refine the quality and operational efficiency of local transit, with structured plans for progressive expansion into additional new urban hubs nationwide. Furthermore, the initiative works in tandem with broader national infrastructure projects and supports the strategic objectives outlined in Egypt Vision 2030 for sustainable public transport and smart transport development across regional urban communities.

Strategic Initiatives for Railway Infrastructure and Logistics

During the discussions, both parties examined a proposal submitted by shipping firm CMA CGM to study rail container transport from the Latakia Port container terminal to dry ports in Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus. The proposal includes exploring a public-private partnership structure to carry out the initiative. Additionally, the discussions covered highway projects operating under the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model, alongside plans to review previous feasibility studies and evaluate immediate implementation options.

Minister Badr highlighted the crucial role of the Ministry of Transport in driving economic recovery and enhancing regional connectivity with neighboring nations. He explained that the ministry is actively formulating a comprehensive national policy for sustainable multimodal transport systems, alongside an updated operational strategy for the entire railway sector.

Budget Allocations and World Bank Commitment

To support these transport infrastructure modernization efforts, the Syrian government has allocated funding from its state budget to restore vital network routes. Priority routes designated for rehabilitation include the line extending from the Jordanian border through Damascus, Homs, and Hama to Aleppo and the Turkish border, as well as the key Damascus–Tanf–Deir Ezzor corridor. The estimated cost for rehabilitating major roads stands between $300 million and $500 million. International tenders have been issued, and submitted proposals from international firms are currently under review prior to execution.

Dr. Khalifa reaffirmed the commitment of the World Bank to assist Syria in establishing a sustainable multimodal transport network. She noted that the World Bank will work directly with the Ministry of Transport to prepare the necessary groundwork for the upcoming transport infrastructure project aimed at upgrading railways.

Implementation of Digital Customs Integration

The technical integration enables the immediate, secure exchange of customs information from the exporting nation prior to shipments reaching key border entry points. By establishing this digital customs link, authorities can initiate documentation processing before goods physically arrive at the Al-Khafji and Al-Ruqai border crossings.

Efficiency and Operational Benefits at Land Borders

Developed using standardized data models, the system underwent comprehensive integration testing to ensure operational reliability. The digital customs platform reduces duplicate data entry, improves risk management efficiency, and significantly speeds up customs clearance for freight operators. This streamlined procedure is expected to ease truck movements, improve border logistics, and prevent long cross-border transit delays.

Progress on Railway and Metro Collaboration

Parallel to trade facilitation through speedy cross-border transit, both nations are advancing technical exchange in rail infrastructure under the Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council. The partnership focuses on establishing railway and metro networks in Kuwait, where three out of five primary project milestones have been successfully completed.

As part of the technical support, the Transport General Authority of Saudi Arabia shared its official railway regulations with Kuwait. The joint transnational railway project remains on track for full completion before the end of 2026. This combined focus on railway project development and border infrastructure reinforces the overarching Saudi Kuwait trade link, supporting the efficient movement of goods and passengers across regional borders.

During the briefing, Egypt’s Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir announced that six-month trial operations for the nation’s first high-speed electric railway line are scheduled to begin in September 2026. This initial 660-kilometer line connects Ain Sokhna, Alexandria, New Alamein, and Marsa Matrouh, following a limited test run conducted in November 2025. The route forms part of a broader 2,000-kilometer electric railway network spanning three distinct lines designed to link agricultural regions, tourist destinations, and export ports.

Expanding Monorail and Bus Rapid Transit Operations

The review also covered developments across urban mass-transit networks. Minister Al-Wazir noted that the 43.8-kilometer West Nile monorail, featuring 13 stations between 6 October City and Wadi El-Nil in Mohandessin, is scheduled to start operating in 2027. Concurrently, the East Nile monorail is expected to reduce travel times across Greater Cairo, New Cairo, and the New Capital upon inauguration.

Furthermore, the second phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along Cairo’s Ring Road is ready for operational rollout to serve high-density residential areas. President El-Sisi directed officials to accelerate sustainable mass-transit efforts, describing them as central pillars for national urban, industrial, and tourism development.

Maritime Logistics and Strategic Road Infrastructure Upgrade

In addition to urban transit systems, President El-Sisi examined development progress across major maritime hubs, including Greater Safaga, Damietta, Greater Alexandria, and Ain Sokhna ports. He instructed project teams to adhere strictly to execution timelines and quality standards to reinforce the nation’s position as a regional trade hub and support integration with Arab and African countries.

Road network enhancements were also outlined, including ongoing construction on the Western Desert Road between Giza and Abu Simbel, alongside the widening of the 327-kilometer Aswan–Berenice Road linking the Nile Valley to Red Sea ports and border crossings. Additionally, maintenance plans were detailed for the 6 October Bridge to repair surface sections and expansion joints, aimed at improving traffic flow in the capital.

The strategic review was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Presidential Adviser for Urban Planning Amir Sayed Ahmed, according to Presidential Spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy. The combined initiatives reflect a broader national push to integrate seaports, roads, and logistics zones into unified trade corridors connecting the Red Sea and Mediterranean.

The accord was signed by Samah Fawzy, President of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, and Julius D. Dennis, Director-General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority. The signing ceremony was attended by Egypt’s Civil Aviation Minister, Sameh El-Hefny.

Scope of Technical Assistance and Training

Through the Egypt Liberia Aviation MoU, Egyptian authorities will provide targeted technical support across various domains of civil aviation. The initiative emphasizes knowledge-sharing and the transfer of specialized technical expertise to train qualified personnel in full adherence to ICAO standards.

Minister El-Hefny noted that the agreement forms part of Egypt’s broader effort to deepen partnership with African nations. He stated that capacity building and technical exchanges are essential for sectoral advancement and regional integration. According to El-Hefny, Egypt’s expanding technical partnerships across the continent demonstrate growing confidence in its aviation expertise, while reinforcing its position as a regional hub connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Egypt’s Expanding Role in Regional Aviation

The pact with Liberia represents the latest step in Egypt’s effort to broaden its civil aviation leadership across the region. Earlier this month, Egypt was elected to chair the General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization. Furthermore, in April, Egypt renewed its agreement with ICAO to host the organization’s Middle East Regional Office in Cairo, which serves 15 member states as one of seven regional bases worldwide.

In a prior meeting this year with ICAO Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi highlighted Egypt’s ongoing airport expansion efforts alongside initiatives to upgrade aviation training and technical operational systems.

The agreement follows a letter of intent signed in April 2025 by the two aviation authorities covering artificial intelligence, strategic planning and the exchange of expertise. That earlier arrangement also established a joint steering committee responsible for overseeing its implementation. The latest step on bilateral air transport rights comes as the Middle East continues to strengthen its position as a global aviation hub.

Based on figures from the International Air Transport Association, airlines from the region accounted for about 10 percent of global passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger-km, during 2025, handling more than 900 billion RPKs through extensive long-haul networks linking Asia, Europe and Africa.

Agreement Supports Aviation Growth and Regional Connectivity

In a press release, the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation said, “The signing of the memorandum of understanding embodies the depth of Egyptian-Emirati relations and reflects the shared vision to enhance cooperation in civil aviation in a way that keeps pace with the rapid developments taking place in the air transport industry at the regional and international levels.”

The ministry stated that the memorandum provides for the gradual expansion of bilateral air transport rights, enabling carriers from Egypt and the UAE to introduce additional services as market demand continues to rise. It also noted that Egypt remains focused on expanding the country’s air connectivity by modernising bilateral agreements and deepening cooperation with strategic partners. These efforts are intended to improve the efficiency of Egypt’s air transport system, enhance the competitiveness of its airports and reinforce the country’s role as a regional aviation centre.

The memorandum was signed by Sameh Fawzy, chairman of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, and Saif Al-Suwaidi, director general of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, in the presence of Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny during the second day of the 11th ICAO Africa-Indian Ocean Aviation Week in Cairo. The ministry added that Al-Suwaidi viewed the memorandum as a reflection of the trust and coordination between the two civil aviation authorities and described it as an important milestone for expanding cooperation. It further stated that the agreement would promote sustainable growth in air transport while supporting the continued rise in travel between Egypt and the UAE through the expansion of bilateral air transport rights.

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The agreement, signed between the Egyptian Customs Authority and the General Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, brings into effect a presidential decree approving Egypt’s accession to the international customs treaty. The signing ceremony was attended by Egypt’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, Egypt’s Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir, Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid, International Road Transport Union (IRU) Secretary General Umberto de Pretto and Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport President Ismail Abdel Ghaffar.

El-Wazir stated that Egypt is moving beyond the construction of standalone roads and railways to establish integrated developmental logistics corridors linking the Red and Mediterranean seas and the Suez Canal with dry ports as well as industrial, agricultural, and mining zones. He identified the eight corridors:

• Arish/Taba corridor
• Sokhna/Alexandria corridor
• Safaga/Qena/Abu Tartour corridor
• Cairo/Alexandria corridor
• Tanta/Mansoura/Damietta corridor
• Gargoub/Sallum corridor
• Cairo/Aswan/Abu Simbel corridor
• Bernice/Aswan/East Oweinat/Kufra/N’Djamena corridor

According to El-Wazir, the final route carries strategic importance because it connects the Red Sea with Libya, Chad, and Central Africa through the development of the Egypt-Chad road via Libya. He also described two key Arab trade corridors that will complement these international logistics corridors.

The Northern Arab Trade Corridor links Europe with the Levant—including Jordan, Iraq, and Syria—through the Arish/Taba route and the Arab Bridge Maritime Company fleet. Meanwhile, the Southern Arab Trade Corridor connects Europe with Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf through Safaga port to NEOM (formerly Duba) using Egyptian national fleets. These routes integrate with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and the Iraq-Turkey Development Road.

El-Wazir further noted that Egypt has advanced 100 places to rank 18th globally in road quality, highlighting the construction of a dedicated concrete truck lane on the Western Desert Upper Egypt road, continued concrete paving on the Aswan-Bernice road, and the investment of 3 billion Egyptian pounds in developing the Sallum land port to strengthen Egyptian-Libyan trade. He also referred to the Ro-Ro shipping line between Damietta and Trieste, Italy, which serves as a bridge for cargo travelling between Europe and Saudi Arabia. The minister concluded by thanking ministry workers and transport authorities, adding that the high-speed electric train will extend to Abu Simbel for the first time to support tourism and other sectors.

Ministers Highlight Trade, Customs and Export Benefits

Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid said activating the TIR system will reduce road transport costs by 25 to 40 per cent and cut the time required for goods to cross borders by up to 80 per cent. In line with directives from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to position Egypt as a global logistics hub, Farid said his ministry is working alongside the finance ministry and customs authorities to establish a digital risk management system that balances trade facilitation with regulatory compliance.

Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk disclosed that transit trade has increased by 40 per cent since March and instructed the creation of an executive department within the Customs Authority to oversee the effective implementation of the TIR system. He also confirmed that, under the government’s second package of tax facilities, transit goods and their related services are exempt from value-added tax.

Head of the Customs Authority Ahmed Amoui explained that the TIR agreement, established under the UN and managed by the IRU, remains the only global customs transit system enabling goods to cross international borders without intermediate inspections. He added that the authority is broadening international agreements while advancing digital transformation to support trade facilitation and safeguard public treasury rights.

El-Wakil stated that the agreement will provide Egyptian transport companies with broader access to regional and international markets, reduce supply chain costs, and strengthen exports through the expansion of international logistics corridors.

As Egypt currently serves as chair of the organization’s General Assembly, the minister said the country will continue supporting the organization’s work while encouraging broader aviation cooperation, expertise-sharing and collaboration among member states.

During the discussions, El Hefny welcomed the confidence placed in Egypt by Arab countries through its election to chair the organization’s General Assembly, noting that the decision reflects the country’s pivotal role in supporting joint Arab action and promoting stronger collaboration and integration in civil aviation. The minister also congratulated El-Sharkawy on assuming his new responsibilities as director general of the ACAO and wished him success in leading the organization during the coming period. For his part, El-Sharkawy thanked El Hefny for the warm reception and commended Egypt’s leading role, as well as its advanced expertise and capabilities, which contribute to backing the organization’s work, enhancing Arab cooperation and advancing its strategic objectives.

Capacity Building and Regional Coordination Take Priority

The meeting focused on the organization’s priorities for the coming period, including mechanisms to implement the General Assembly’s decisions and recommendations. Discussions also covered the development of capacity-building programs and increased coordination among Arab member states to strengthen the Arab civil aviation system, respond to regional and international developments, and contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

As part of his visit to Cairo, El-Sharkawy also visited the headquarters of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), where he was received by its Chairman, Sameh Mohamed Fawzy. During the visit, both sides stressed the importance of exchanging expertise and enhancing technical capabilities between the ACAO and the ECAA. They also underscored the value of continuing aviation cooperation to advance the Arab civil aviation system in line with the organization’s objectives while improving aviation safety, security and air transport efficiency in the interests of Arab states.

The latest public transport expansion aligns with the Royal vision of developing a unified national transport system that strengthens mobility and improves service standards.

The agreement for the project’s second phase was signed by Director General of the Land Transport Regulatory Commission Eng. Riyad Al-Kharabsheh, Chairman of Integrated Multi-Transport Company Eng. Salah Al-Louzi and Chief Executive Officer of Amman Vision Transport Eng. Mohammad Al-Laimoun.

Under the new phase, services will operate across nine routes. These include seven main corridors connecting Amman with Ma’an, Tafilah and Ajloun, in addition to direct inter-governorate services linking Irbid with Zarqa, Zarqa with Mafraq, Jerash with Irbid, Jerash with Mafraq, as well as two additional routes connecting Karak with Zarqa and Aqaba. Once the network is fully operational, 210 buses will be deployed with the capacity to transport approximately 13,500 passengers each day.

As part of the public transport expansion, the project will incorporate intelligent transport systems, including real-time vehicle tracking, electronic ticketing and onboard surveillance technology to enhance operational performance, improve passenger safety and provide accurate travel information. Beyond the technology upgrades, the initiative is expected to improve regional connectivity, contribute to economic and social development and strengthen public-private partnerships supporting national infrastructure development.

The current rollout builds on the first phase launched in 2025, which introduced scheduled public transport services across four governorates using 127 buses operating on fixed timetables supported by central monitoring and surveillance systems. That phase laid the operational foundation for the latest expansion. The second phase has an estimated annual operating cost of JD5.76 million, with the government providing full operational funding to maintain service quality and ensure the project’s long-term sustainability. Scheduled operations are expected to begin before the end of this month, extending transport links between Amman and the southern governorates while improving connectivity across northern and central regions.

Officials Outline Operational Plans and Future Network Growth

Minister of Transport Dr. Nidal Al-Qatamin said the government considers public transport a national priority and remains committed to implementing high-quality projects that improve services in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.

He said the second phase represents an advanced step toward establishing an integrated public transport system based on modern technologies that provides safe, reliable and efficient services while reducing travel time, easing traffic congestion, encouraging greater use of public transportation and improving operational efficiency and sustainability.

Director General of the Land Transport Regulatory Commission Eng. Riyad Al-Kharabsheh said the decision to proceed with the second phase followed the positive performance and public feedback achieved during the first phase.

He noted that the expanded network will feature fixed schedules, extended operating hours, increased trip frequencies, central monitoring and electronic ticketing through a dedicated mobile application. The commission also intends to increase the network to approximately 1,000 buses in the future, with the second phase projected to serve around 15,000 passengers daily as the public transport expansion continues.

Chairman of Integrated Multi-Transport Company Eng. Salah Al-Louzi said the company has signed a new agreement with the Land Transport Regulatory Commission to provide operational management and oversight for the second phase of the project.

He said the agreement builds on the first-phase restructuring project signed in May 2025 and will remain in effect for three years from the commencement order issued by the commission.

The agreement assigns the Integrated Multi-Transport Company responsibility for managing day-to-day operations and maintaining service quality across the seven principal routes included in the second phase. Meanwhile, Amman Vision Transport will be responsible for operating the intelligent transport systems together with the electronic payment platform.

Al-Louzi said the progress achieved so far reflects clear political commitment and sustained government efforts to place public transport at the forefront of national development priorities, adding that the next phase will further expand inter-governorate connectivity and improve services in accordance with the highest operational standards.

Overall project supervision, contract administration and implementation oversight will continue to be handled by the Land Transport Regulatory Commission. Results from the first phase demonstrated the effectiveness of the initiative, with more than 1.3 million passengers using scheduled transport services connecting Irbid, Jerash, Karak and Ma’an with Amman through modern transport operators equipped with electronic payment systems, GPS tracking and onboard cameras.

During 2025, the Integrated Multi-Transport Company transported approximately 43 million passengers across the transport systems it manages, averaging around 177,000 passengers every day. At the same time, the Amman Bus Rapid Transit system currently carries between 120,000 and 130,000 passengers daily, highlighting the growing adoption of public transportation across the Kingdom.