Egypt to link to south of Africa by rail

The Egyptian Government is determined to improve sea, rail and air transport links to African countries to enhance trade and other socio- economic activities on the continent.

The Government plans to build new railway line to link Egypt to some countries in southern Africa.

Admiral Ahmed Abdulla, the Red Sea Governor,  announced this when he was interacting with journalists and media practitioners on a tour of the Red Sea Province to acquaint themselves with the Tourism Industry there.

The journalists from 22 African countries are participating in the: “The Future of the Media in Africa” Forum, in Cairo.

Admiral Abdulla said Egypt had good connections with African countries and supported in the independence struggle of many African countries.

However, the links became weak after the Egyptian war.

“Reconnecting of Egypt with Africa is now a key policy of the Abdel Fattah El Sisi-led Government,” he said.

Admiral Abdulla noted that Africa was endowed with natural and human resources, and therefore, Africa was not poor and it needed not to be poor if it had good leaders.

He said the voice of Africa was missing in Europe, therefore, Africa must strive to make prosperity for herself.

On tourism, he said the Red Sea Province alone raked in 5.6 billion dollars in 2011 from 6 million tourists.

He said the province had provided hotel facilities for 10 million tourists, thus exceeding the target of tourists expected there.

The journalists toured sites including the Hurghada Aquarium, which has a decent display of Red Sea marine life; embarked on a Desert Jeep expedition and Quad Biking; and enjoyed the beaches along the Red Sea.

Hurghada has some of the best hotels and resort centres in Egypt, while the Red Sea Province is Egypt’s major ‘holiday-package’ destination.

Thousands of European tourists decamp there to escape the winter by soaking up the sun in one to two-week cheap package deals.

Source: GNA