North Sinai Development Plan Advances With Major Projects

A multi-sector development programme is progressing in North Sinai, targeting expansion across transport, industry, water infrastructure and logistics as part of a broader national plan.

The programme includes a railway network linking Bir El-Abd, Arish and Ras El-Naqb within the Arish–Taba logistics corridor, alongside a 12-kilometre connection to Arish Port to support freight movement.

The wider network extends to around 500 kilometres from Ferdan to Taba via East Port Said and Arish, with work ongoing on multiple sections.

Water infrastructure is also being expanded, including a seawater desalination plant in Arish with a current capacity of 100,000 cubic metres per day, planned to increase to 300,000 cubic metres in later phases.

The project forms part of a broader approach combining desalination, Nile water transfers and groundwater resources. Industrial development is advancing in parallel, with the opening of a plastics manufacturing facility in the Bir El-Abd industrial zone.

The EGP 530 million plant includes a woven sacks unit with an annual capacity of approximately 55 million bags and is intended to serve both domestic demand and export markets.

Road infrastructure upgrades are also underway, including a 20-kilometre link between Al-Mathlath, Jalbana and Balouza, as well as maintenance works on the Qantara East–Arish road to improve connectivity and traffic flow.

The development programme is designed to position North Sinai as a hub for economic activity, supported by infrastructure expansion, public investment plans through 2030 and private-sector participation.