General Electric plans to invest hundreds of millions into Egypt’s transportation sector, as the country looks to rebound to its pre-Arab Spring economy.
GE signed a letter of intent with Egypt’s transportation ministry and the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) to supply 100 locomotives for both passengers or freight rail. The deal, valued at US$575 million, will also include a 15-year service for parts and technical support for ENR’s new and old fleet.
“We are working with the transportation ministry and ENR on the entire process – from ensuring a competitive financing solution with partners to the manufacture and technical support for the locomotives, and the training and development of engineers,” said John Rice, vice chairman of GE.
The agreement marks the largest investment that the American firm has committed to Egypt, and will train more than 275 ENR engineers and employees on the 12-cylinder, 3,200 horsepower Light Passenger Evolution Series trains. By upgrading the current infrastructure, Egypt will increase the efficiency in its rail transportation network. “Additionally, the parts and technical support agreement will ensure that the performance of our fleet is maintained over the years,” said Medhat Shousha, chairman of ENR.
Egypt wants to transport 25 million tonnes of goods annually via rail over the next five years, which will also decrease the road traffic, said Hesham Arafat, the minister of transportation. He added: ““This agreement will leverage the role of ENR in transporting goods using rail which is aligned to the ministry’s vision to improve rail infrastructure.”
The ministry said in March that Egypt was targeting up to €14.4 billion (Dh59.17bn) worth of investment in new rail and metro projects, including an €82m passenger and freight line from Mansoura to Damietta and an €85m freight line connecting Egypt’s largest phosphate mine at Abu Tartur to Safaga port.
Egypt’s economy has struggled since 2011 with the removal of long-term president, Hosni Mubarak. According to the World Bank’s development indicators, the North African country’s rail system dropped nearly 60 per cent to 1,592 million tonnes (MT) per kilometre in 2014 compared to 3,840MT per kilometre in 2010.
“Our goal is to work as closely as possible with international corporations to create investment opportunities that meet the country’s needs and are reciprocal in nature,” said investment minister Sahar Nasr, adding that this partnership will help to drive future investments across multiple sectors.
lgraves@thenational.ae
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Copa del Rey
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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