Minister of Transport: We Are Implementing a Comprehensive Plan to Localize the Production of All Means of Transport – No Importation of Buses from Abroad | Minister of Public Business Sector: An Integrated Plan to Develop Al-Nasr Automotive – Local Bus Production Deals to Replace High-Quality National Products
As part of the directives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, to localize the transport industry in Egypt, including bus manufacturing, and under the slogan “No Importation of Buses from Abroad,” Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport, and Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Public Business Sector, held an extensive meeting at the Ministry of Transport headquarters in the government district of the New Administrative Capital. The meeting focused on joint cooperation to localize the bus industry in Egypt and was attended by the heads of the Holding Company for Land and Maritime Transport, SuperJet, ACTA, the Metallurgical Holding Company, Al-Nasr Automotive, the Land Transport Regulatory Authority, and the Vice President of the Transport Projects Planning Authority.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister of Transport emphasized that the ministry is working on implementing a comprehensive plan to localize the production of all means of transport, particularly buses. The focus is on increasing the percentage of local components in this industry and continuously improving these ratios. He noted that giving priority to public national companies specializing in producing all types of buses (electric, gas, diesel), such as Al-Nasr Automotive, is a key objective for both ministries. This initiative aims to enhance the industry in Egypt, save foreign currency, create thousands of job opportunities, and meet local market demands while expanding exports abroad, positioning Egypt as a specialized industrial hub in this sector. He also highlighted that the ministry has distinguished passenger transport companies, such as East Delta, Upper Egypt, and West & Central Delta, affiliated with the Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport, as well as the Arab Transport Union (SuperJet) and ACTA. These companies are executing an ambitious development plan, modernizing their fleets by leveraging the local manufacturing plans of public and private sector companies.
Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Public Business Sector, stated that the process of development, modernization, and restructuring continues across all affiliated companies, reflecting positively on performance indicators, maximizing asset revenues, and investing in human capital. He pointed out that Al-Nasr Automotive has recently secured several deals to market its locally manufactured, environmentally friendly buses, produced according to the latest global standards in line with the state’s strategy for localizing the automotive industry and transitioning to clean energy. He also mentioned that these buses have begun trial operations within the transportation system of the New Administrative Capital in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport. Furthermore, he confirmed that a comprehensive plan is in place to develop and rehabilitate Al-Nasr Automotive, including upgrading current production lines and adding new ones to manufacture vehicles of various sizes. Currently, the company produces minibuses and has contracts to supply them to several entities and companies. Additionally, advanced negotiations are underway with several global companies to transfer and localize electric vehicle manufacturing technology.
During the meeting, the current manufacturing capabilities of Al-Nasr Automotive and its comprehensive development plan were reviewed, along with the company’s range of environmentally friendly buses and minibuses. Full support for this collaboration was emphasized, as it is expected to result in a successful breakthrough in localizing bus production in Egypt according to the latest global specifications, ultimately providing the highest level of service to passengers. The importance of localizing complementary and feeder industries for bus manufacturing was also highlighted to ensure an integrated industry. Additionally, the meeting discussed leveraging the incentives outlined in the Supreme Council for Automotive Industry Localization’s decisions to include bus manufacturers and their supporting industries, modifying incentive frameworks to suit this promising and growing sector in Egypt.
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed to hold intensive follow-up meetings between specialists from both sides to activate this cooperation. Plans were also made for a field visit by the Ministers of Transport and Public Business Sector, along with Al-Nasr Automotive, to inspect production lines and assess the company’s capabilities to further support the localization of this industry.
