EGYPTIAN National Railways (ENR) has signed an agreement with the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for a $US 251.6m soft loan to finance upgrades to the signalling system on the 224km Luxor - High Dam line.

The project includes installing ETCS Level 1  to enhance safety and train control along the line.

The line has 53 stations, with a line speed of 120km/h. The upgrade project will increase capacity on the line from 78 trains a day to 200 trains a day.

Talks to increase cooperation between ENR and EDCF were held alongside the signing ceremony.

ENR awarded Hyundai Rotem a Won 122.5bn ($US 110.1m) contract in April 2021 to resignal the 118km Nag Hammadi - Luxor line as part of the Egypt National Railways Modernisation Project (ENRMP).