Khaled El-Anany, Egypt’s minister of antiquities, said his ministry will soon open Sohag Museum after 29 years of planning for its establishment, adding, “the museum is ready and we are waiting to set a date for our President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi [to inaugurate the building].”
The minister added, at a press conference, that the Antiquities Ministry receives significant support from the political leadership, as it received about EGP 3bn in 2017 to be used for several major projects, including the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
“The governmental financial support allowed us to resume the work [on the GEM]. The percentage of completion was 20% 24 months ago, but it increased to about 75% now,” noted the minister.
“We were very lucky to have made many important discoveries last year and I promise you will hear about new discoveries in the coming period,” said El-Anany.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham Egypt) organised a tour and a conference at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in the attendance of the antiquities minister on Thursday morning.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation is a promising and unique project, said the minister. He added that the ministry, while celebrating World Heritage Day, was happy to have the AmCham Egypt visit on the sidelines of the celebration.
AmCham Egypt President Tarek Tawfik said that the chamber was honoured to promote the identity of Egypt in collaboration with the antiquities minister, adding, “Egypt is the hub of civilisation; day by day, we unveil the treasures that are under the ground.”
