Bombardier Transportation has been named by the Egyptian government as the preferred bidder to build and operate a new monorail system for Cairo (and supply the rolling stock).

This project was announced by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox during a four-day visit to Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia to highlight the wealth of opportunities for trade and investment in the region.

The total value of the engineering procurement and construction deal is about 2.8 billion euros, of which Bombardier’s share is about 50%.

In addition, there is an operations and maintenance deal worth about 1.6 billion euros. The monorail system will comprise a 54km line connecting the ‘New Administrative Capital’ with East Cairo and a 42km line connecting ‘6th October City’ with Giza.

Mr Fox said: “This strategically important project in a growing market like Egypt demonstrates how UK manufacturing expertise is competing and winning in global markets against tough competition.

“The British rail industry is world-class. Derby has been making trains for 180 years, and this project shows that the Litchurch Lane facility in Derby remains globally competitive.”

Phil Hufton, president of Bombardier UK (www.bombardier.com), said: “Being named as preferred bidder for the Cairo monorail is excellent news for our teams in the UK and Egypt.

“It shows that the British rail industry can compete and win in global markets.

“The project will involve investing in a new monorail production line at Litchurch Lane, for building the monorail cars between 2021 and 2024.”