Otis supports major Belt and Road rail project in Egypt

Egypt recently celebrated the opening of its first electrified Light Rail Transit (LRT) system at an inauguration attended by the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah; the Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, and the Minister of Transport, Kamel El Wazir together with dignitaries including the Chinese Ambassador. The new line, connecting urban Cairo to Egypt’s new administrative capital and 10th of Ramadan City, provides an essential link between key urban centers and satellite cities. It is served by more than 180 Otis escalators and elevators.

As an important project under China’s Belt and Road initiative, the 70-kilometer 10th of Ramadan LRT line was built by a consortium of China Railway Group and Aviation International China, which led the project on behalf of the Egyptian National Tunnel Authority. The network has 12 stations carrying up to 360,000 passengers a day.

Despite the challenges of COVID 19, Otis was able to bring together a cross-regional taskforce that drew from Otis World Headquarters’ Major Projects and Belt and Road teams, together with regional teams from Europe and the Middle East, Egypt and China. Overcoming pandemic-related global supply chain issues, Otis was able to deliver more than 110 units just a few months after the contract was awarded. In addition, Otis mobilized about 140 technical field experts from China to work with Chinese and Egyptian contractors in Cairo to complete escalator and elevator installation and testing to meet the opening timeline.

“With the successful completion of this project on schedule and to quality and safety standards, Otis has once again demonstrated strong capabilities in implementing complex, cross-border Belt and Road infrastructure projects. Our proven track record of managing highly demanding global projects and mobilizing dedicated teams is well recognized by customers and business partners who named us “Best Business Partner” 2021 for carrying out the project with superior quality and time performance. ,” said Perry Zheng, President of Otis China Area and Chief Customer Product Officer.

Otis had previously completed another major Belt and Road project in Africa—the new headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. Opened in February 2022, the 200-meter 53-floor complex is the tallest structure in East Africa, served by about 50 Otis elevators and escalators, including 13 custom-built SkyRise® elevators, installed by an Otis task force from China.