Marakez has begun (pdf) construction of its mall in Mansoura, in which it will invest EGP 1 bn during the first phase.

Saipem is interested in taking part in the planned construction of Cairo Metro’s sixth line, which is expected to be led by US infrastructure giant Bechtel, the Transport Ministry said in a statement. The Italian contractor is currently bidding in the ministry’s tender to convert Alexandria’s Abu Qir railway into an underground metro, the statement said without providing further details.

Other things we’re keeping an eye on this morning:

• Tenders for four water desalination plant projects in El Hammam, El Quseir, Marsa Alam, and Safaga with a combined daily output capacity of 240 cbm will be launched shortly for private sector participation.
• Italian travel companies are looking to resume charter flights between Italy and some of Egypt’s tourist destinations, including Sharm El Sheikh, starting this summer.
• Telecom Egypt will establish a new fiber optic connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean under an agreement with the Suez Canal Authority and the Armed Forces’ Signal Corps.
• Car owners now only need to have owned their vehicles for two years to qualify for a replacement under the state’s natural gas transition plan, down from a minimum three years previously.