Beijing: Egypt and China's AVIC International are intensifying their collaboration on Egypt's Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, with a focus on completing two new stations in the New Administrative Capital by March 2026, as announced by Egypt's industry and transport minister.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Kamel El-Wazir, who also holds the position of deputy prime minister for industrial development, recently met with Qian Rong, chairman of AVIC INTL Project Engineering Co, during his visit to Beijing. Representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, El-Wazir is participating in events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

During their meeting, El-Wazir conveyed President El-Sisi's directive to expedite the opening of the Cathedral of the Nativity and Strategic Command stations, part of Phase 3 of the LRT, which connects Cairo to the new capital. He emphasized the importance of AVIC accelerating equipment shipments and installations, as Egyptian contractors aim to complete civil works by the year's end.

Rong confirmed that shipments of electromechanical systems from China would commence this month, with installations set to begin immediately to meet the March 2026 completion target.

The discussions also included plans for Phase 4 of the project, which will extend the LRT to the industrial hub of 10th of Ramadan City. El-Wazir stated that the government would finance civil works in local currency, with national contractors scheduled to begin groundwork and infrastructure next week.

Additionally, the potential for a fifth phase was explored, which would link Rehab to the Administrative Capital and its airport. This proposed extension would run from Rehab Interchange Station, connected to Cairo Metro Line 4, eastward to the Capital Airport Station.

El-Wazir and Qian will inspect Phase 3 works during the upcoming TransMEA 2025 transport and industry exhibition, opening in Cairo on Nov. 9.

The LRT, inaugurated by El-Sisi in its initial two phases, stands as one of Egypt's largest transport initiatives and a key element of the nation's infrastructure partnership with China.