Sisi: Egypt to witness great cultural progress by inaugurating GEM

CAIRO – 19 July 2018: Egypt will witness a great cultural progress by 2020, which coincides with the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) as it will be the biggest cultural event in the world, said President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on Thursday.

This came during Sisi’s meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Antiquities Khaled al-Anany, Chairman of the Administrative Control Authority (ACA) Mohamed Erfan, Giza Governor Mohamed Kamal el-Daly, and Chief of the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces Kamel al-Waziri, according to the presidential spokesperson Bassem Rady.

The meeting tackled the recent developments in the GEM, Giza Plateau development project, and other projects aiming to develop archaeological sites across Egypt.

President Sisi called for completing GEM's construction phases by 2020 to coincide with the inauguration of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Ain al-Sira site, New Alamein City, and the New Administrative Capital, to which the ministries will move in 2019.

The president stressed the importance of showing commitment toward taking the necessary safety measures at the GEM and carrying out the required preparation procedures for the museum's inauguration, affirming that the GEM will be an icon in terms of design, space, and the antiquities presented.

Minister of Antiquities Anany reviewed during the meeting the efforts exerted by the National Commission for Antiquities in Egypt, and the ministry’s plan to develop antiquities’ stocks and promote for tourism in Egypt through the temporary exhibitions presenting Egyptian antiquities.

Chief of the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces Waziri pointed out to the projects implemented by the Ministry of Antiquities in cooperation with the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces, including the development project of Luxor's Al-Kabbash Road and the restoration project of the Baron Palace, the Greek museum, and the Jewish Museum in Alexandria.

The general supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum Tarek Tawfik (GEM) revealed that the soft opening of the museum will be in the first quarter of 2019.

Tawfik explained that GEM’s first stage will be completed by the end of 2018. The Grand Egyptian Museum will witness for the first time the display of all Tutankhamun’s artifacts, which amount to more than 5,000 pieces, gathered in one place.

GEM’s lobby will host the statue of King Ramesses II and the column of his son King Merneptah; the grand staircase will include 87 royal statues and large architectural elements, including statues of kings Khafre, Menkaure, Senusret, Akhenaten and Amenhotep III.