Egypt In-Focus — Egypt launches low-cost airline Air Sphinx; Deal signed for high-speed rail line; SCZONE signs MOU with Toyota Tsusho

Elsewedy Electric has signed a deal to operate and maintain the Egyptian high-speed rail line. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 18 August 2022
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Egypt In-Focus — Egypt launches low-cost airline Air Sphinx; Deal signed for high-speed rail line; SCZONE signs MOU with Toyota Tsusho

CAIRO: Egypt will be launching another airline, under the title of Air Sphinx by the end of this year.

After EgyptAir’s massive losses during the pandemic, the new low-cost airline is an effort to revive the aviation sector and increase profits, reported CNBC Arabia.

Additionally, it will encourage the flow of tourism within and outside of Egypt, according to Elhamy El-Zayat, the former head of the Egyptian Tourism Federation.  

Air Sphinx will operate from the Sphinx Airport in the 6th of October city, he added.

High-speed rail line

Egypt-based Elsewedy Electric, in partnership with Germany’s Deutsche Bahn International Operation, has signed a deal to operate and maintain the Egyptian high-speed rail line.

The scope of work includes the railway’s principle line and cargo rail networks, reported MEED.

SCZONE signs MOU with Toyota Tsusho

The Suez Canal Economic Zone has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese tycoon Toyota Tsusho Corp.

This comes as part of a plan to increase Japan’s presence in infrastructure and renewable energy-related projects, reported Egypt today.

Both sides will benefit from this deal, according to the general manager of Energy Infrastructure Projects at Toyota Tsusho Corp.


Global investors commit more than $3bn to King Salman Park as Saudi giga-project secures new deals

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Global investors commit more than $3bn to King Salman Park as Saudi giga-project secures new deals

RIYADH: The King Salman Park Foundation has secured more than $3.8 billion in new private-sector commitments at the MIPIM 2026 real estate conference, including a landmark $3 billion fund backed by international investors to develop a major mixed-use district in the heart of Riyadh.

According to a press release, the announcements bring total committed investment in the 17.2 sq. kilometers urban regeneration project to over $5.3 billion across five major packages.

Launched in 2019 under Saudi Vision 2030, the development is designed to be the world’s largest city park and aims to boost green space, improve quality of life, and feature over 1 million trees and extensive leisure facilities.

A $3 billion metro-connected district

The largest of the two packages, designated Package 5, will see a consortium led by Kolaghassi Development Co. deliver a residential-led district with a total built-up area exceeding 1 million sq. meters. 

It will provide approximately 3,700 residential units, a K–12 school, around 300 hospitality keys and more than 100,000 sq m of Grade A office space alongside a wide variety of retail and dining offerings.

The development is supported by a Saudi-domiciled, Capital Market Authority-regulated fund managed by Mulkia Investment Co. that has attracted leading investors from the Kingdom and across the world.

Kolaghassi Development Co. will lead the project alongside Al Othaim Investment, one of the Kingdom’s real estate players, and RXR, a New York-headquartered real estate investor and operator.

“Securing investment of this scale, supported by international capital and expertise, is an important milestone for King Salman Park,” said George Tanasijevich, CEO of King Salman Park Foundation. 

$850 million cultural district package

In a separate announcement, the Foundation confirmed the award of Package 4 to a consortium led by Retal Urban Development Co., with support from a fund managed by SAB Invest.

The project has a total value exceeding $850 million and will host more than 600 residential units, over 140 hotel keys, and almost 50,000 sq m of Grade A office space, alongside curated retail and food and beverage experiences.

“This opportunity reflects the maturity of Saudi Arabia’s real estate investment landscape and our confidence in culture-led, mixed-use urban destinations as a driver of sustainable returns,” said Abdullah Al-Braikan, CEO and founder of Retal Urban Development Co.

Ali Al-Mansour, CEO of SAB Invest, said the fund structure brings together “long-term capital, experienced development partners, and a shared commitment to place-making excellence” while contributing to Riyadh’s cultural vibrancy and the Kingdom’s quality-of-life ambitions under Vision 2030.