(AFP File Photo)
Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh Al-Damaty demanded the Minister of Planning, Ashraf El-Araby, provide approximately EGP 488m to complete antiquarian projects and museums currently in progress, cabinet spokesman, Hossam Qawish, told Daily News Egypt on Tuesday.
Al-Damaty presented a report Monday during the Economic Committee’s meeting regarding all Egyptian antiquity projects and museums currently being implemented but requiring funds. Coordination between the two ministers is now taking place to provide the required funds to complete the six projects as soon as possible.
These projects include the Grand Egyptian Museum which needs EGP 284m of funds, as well as developing historic Cairo, a project requiring EGP 75m. There is also the Royal Museum of Vehicles in Boulaq, which needs EGP 5m funds, the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria, with EGP 124m, the Obidos and Osiris temples, and Sharm El-Sheikh Museum.
The Economic Committee meeting was held in the presence of Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb, Central Bank of Egypt governor Hisham Ramez, and the ministers of industry, supply, finance, and antiquities.
The meeting focused on discussing how to provide the required funds to complete the projects which have been halted due to lack of funds. Al-Damaty reported on projects under implementation in the different areas.
According to a cabinet press release, Mehleb confirmed the importance of how to give the best exploitation of Egyptian monuments, which are “treasures that need to be tapped in to provide better income”. The statement added that revenues from these projects will exceed those of the Suez Canal.
The press release mentioned that Al-Damaty’s report included information about the net profit of the areas and museums in the past five years, as well as a presentation on the projects under establishment. The projects are expected to be completed over the next six months, and include the Mosque of Al-Zahir Baybars, Luxor Temple lighting project, Kom Aushim Museum, three mosques in Fouh, Mallawy Museum, Oyun Musa, Marina El Alamein, Manasterly Palace, and El-Sakakeeny Palace.
