Hosni: Grand Egyptian museum biggest cultural project in 21st century
Egypt, Local, 6/24/2005

Culture Minister Farouk Hosni said the Grand Egyptian Museum, to be built at the Pyramid9 area in Giza governorate, is the biggest cultural project of the 21st century.

At a press conference held at the museum's site, Hosni said the first stage of the project has already started, adding that most of the world organisations concerned have contributed to it.

The press conference was attended by a delegation of the Japanese government, the international designing team, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawas, director of the project Mohammed Ghoneim and Secretary of the project's technical committee Yasser Mensour.

Hosni said the museum will house the biggest collection of artifacts. He added that the Egyptian and Japanese sides are about to agree on all details on the financing of the project.

After an agreement is reached, an international tender for building the museum's main building will be announced, he said. The Japanese government has initially agreed on allocating a US$ 40 million grant and a US$ 275 million loan to contribute to the project.

Hawas, on his part, said the museum will be built on a 117 feddan area with an initial cost of US$ 550 million. The museum will be financed by the council and a Japanese loan and two grants, he said.

He added the construction of the restoration centre will take 15 months and will contain specialised labs and storage areas.

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