The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) is on track to secure the second and final tranche of the loan required to finance the $340m first phase of Cairo Metro Line 4, Egyptian media has reported.

The initial tranche is understood to have been released when the loan agreement was signed on 19 March between Jica President Sadako Ogata and Egypt Transport Minister Galal Moustafa Mohamed.

The first phase of Line 4 will have a total length of 18.8km and feature 17 stations. It will extend from the multimodal station west of the Ring Road to the Grand Egyptian Museum and on to El-Remayah Square to link with the Giza Station of Line 2, El-Malek el-Saleh station of Line 1, and to Al-Fustat station.

Two groups have submitted prequalification documents for the two civil works contracts: Shimizu Corporation and a consortium that consists of Taisei Corporation and local contractor Orascom.

Four groups have also submitted prequalification documents for the rail systems package. They include:

• Mitsubishi Corporation / Orascom joint venture (JV)
• Marubeni
• Hitachi / Sumitomo JV
• Toyo / Mitsui JV

Two Japanese firms – Sojitz and Mitsubishi – submitted prequalification documents for the supply of rolling stock.

Of the six consulting firms invited to bid for the project management consultancy contract for the project, only Nippon Koei has so far submitted an offer.