Syria and Egypt Discuss Strengthening Railway Sector Cooperation
Syrian Minister of Transport Zuhair Khazim held discussions with the Chairman of the Egyptian National Railways, Mohamed Amer Abdel Aziz, to explore mechanisms for strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing the railway sector in Syria. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 39th session of the Arab Transport Ministers Council, hosted in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.
The talks focused on leveraging Egypt’s experience in modernizing rail transport systems, with particular emphasis on critical areas such as infrastructure rehabilitation, fleet renewal, and the upgrading of signaling, control, and safety systems. Both sides also discussed strategies for bolstering local manufacturing and providing technical training to Syrian personnel. These efforts are intended to enhance operational efficiency and place Syria’s railway sector on a sustainable path toward modernization.
Minister Khazim underscored the importance of exchanging successful expertise and experiences with the Egyptian side, noting that this partnership serves as a fundamental pillar for efforts to rehabilitate rail lines and modernize technical equipment and systems. The two sides also explored prospects for technical and operational collaboration aimed at improving safety standards and developing facilities. Such improvements are expected to enhance the role of railways in the transportation of passengers and goods, thereby supporting trade and improving connectivity between Syrian governorates and border crossings.
As part of the visit, the Syrian delegation conducted field tours of the Sidi Gaber station in Alexandria and the Ramses station in Cairo. The purpose of these visits was to gain insights into station management practices and the associated investments established within them, such as multi-story parking facilities and commercial centers. These ancillary investments are recognized as vital for generating additional revenue streams that contribute to reducing the deficit resulting from passenger transport operating costs.
The meeting was attended by the Syrian Minister of Transport’s assistant for land transport, Mohammed Rahal; the Deputy Syrian Ambassador in Cairo, Dr. Mohamed Abu Sarriya; and the Director of Government Communication, Hussein Al-Haj Abdullah. Representing the Egyptian side was Mahmoud Al-Rudaini, Director General of the Technical Office of the Railway Authority.
These discussions were conducted within the framework of the 39th session of the Arab Transport Ministers Council. The session addressed the enhancement of integration and connectivity between Arab transport networks and the improvement of logistics services, both of which are intended to facilitate the movement of people and goods while fostering economic cooperation among Arab nations.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
