The National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) is expected to begin issuing tenders for the Cairo Metro’s Line 4 in two weeks’ time, NAT Spokesperson Hassan Tawfik said, Al Borsa reports. These will include tenders to supply 23 locomotives, carrying out electromechanical works, and setting up the communication system for the line. The NAT plans to sign the final construction contracts with the Taisei-Orascom Construction consortium in January and expects work on the line to begin in 1Q2018, Tawfik said. As we noted last week, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is waiting on the government to reach final agreements for current supply tenders to disburse the second tranche of its USD 1.2 bn loan to finance the metro line’s construction.