The agreement, which was signed by Italferr CEO Mr Matteo Triglia and Mr Azzedin Fridi, general director of Anesrif, is intended to build on a previous MoU signed in 2008 on technical consultancy and specialist training and provides a basis for the creation of the joint venture company in October.

Algeria's €32bn railway development plan includes the construction of around 5000km of new lines as well as electrification and resignalling of existing routes.