Alexandria is about to begin implementing two transportation projects, the first being the development of the Al-Raml street car line, and the second the creation of a 43-kilometer metro line between Abu Qir in eastern Alexandria and Burg al-Arab in the west, at a cost of $2.5 billion. According to the plan drawn up by the Ministry of Transport, the new Abu Qir metro aims to reduce traffic congestion on the streets of the coastal city. The project will be implemented in three phases, the first of which will build on Abu Qir's existing 22-kilometer railway line between Abu Qir and Misr station. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the "EBRD"), the European Investment Bank (the "EIB"), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are considering providing finance to the Government of Egypt to finance first phase, namely, the upgrade and electrification of an existing rail line connecting downtown Alexandria and north-eastern Abou Qir into a high capacity metro system.

The Abou Qir line was established as a suburban railway line under the jurisdiction of the Egyptian National Railways (“ENR”). Ownership will be transferred to the National Authority for Tunnels (“NAT”) once the line is transformed into a high capacity metro and, NAT will be responsible for the implementation of the Project.

Mission:

ASF Consulting has been assigned to conduct a Environmental and social Due Diligence for EIB. The mission consists in:

• Review of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments
• Review of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan
• Review of Relocation Plan
• Preparation of the Environmental and Social Action Plan
• Elaboration of the report of the Due Diligence mission.