Transport Minister Galal Saeed said a number of agreements were signed with the French side during President Francois Hollande's current visit to carry out projects to serve the passenger movement in Greater Cairo and Alexandria.

The agreements include a contract to execute civil works and final touches to the third phase of the Metro Line 3 of Greater Cairo at a cost of EGP 6.8 billion in addition 440 million euros with French Vinci construction company, Saeed said.

A consulting supervision contract for the same Metro phase was also signed with consultancy firm "Systra" worth 21 million euros (EGP 556.86 million), he added.

Line 3 presently operates from Attaba to Ahram Street (Heliopolis), with construction under way for the remaining line to the northwest of Greater Cairo. Eventually it will link Cairo International Airport all the way to Cairo University and Imbaba in Giza. The line will cross under the two branches of the River Nile.

A funding agreement was signed for the development of Alexandria's tram line at 100 million euros, he said.