‘Revenues of Egypt’s antiquities sector to equal spending for first time’

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Essa, said Friday that as a politician and an economist responsible for archaeological sites and museums in Egypt, he should point out that the budget allocated for the antiquities sector did not exceed 200 million euros last year.

The total revenues of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in the same year, the minister said, did not exceed a third of this amount of money.

He referred to the need for speedy action to allocate the necessary funds for the sector and provide tourists with what they deserve as they visit them.

The minister’s remarks came during a seminar organized by the Centre for Middle East Studies in Paris.

Called ‘Egypt … Dawn of Conscience’, the seminar is held at the ancient French Le Creon hotel, which overlooks an ancient Egyptian obelisk, the seminar is organized on the margins of the opening of the Ramses II Exhibition at the Grand Halle de la Villette. The exhibition will last for five months.

Attending the event is a host of dignitaries, including Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Essa, leading Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass, and Egypt’s Ambassador to France, Alaa Youssef.

A host of chief editors of French newspapers attend the seminar, along with several French MPs, senior politicians and Egyptologists.

Minister Essa expressed pride in that in the next fiscal year, the budget for Egyptian antiquities would be doubled by 200%.

He expected the revenues of the antiquities sector to equal spending for the first time in years.

“Therefore, the amount of support we need from the state will be reduced to zero,” Minister Essa said.

He said he is proud to serve his country’s tourism sector after working as a banker for 30 years.

“I am proud to work with the leaders of the Ministry of Antiquities at this difficult stage,” the minister said.