Prime Minister presides over meeting on developing services at archaeological sites

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail held Sunday a ministerial meeting to probe proposals submitted by archaeological services authority to upgrade services offered in archaeological and tourist sites with the aim of boosting national economy.

Preparing a study about means of maximizing returns and capitalizing on managing services offered at archaeological sites was given the green light during the meeting that was attended by ministers of planning, finance, tourism, antiquities and investment.

The study, which is set to be finalized within three weeks, will be reviewed during the upcoming ministerial meeting to mull whether it is better to establish a holding company tasked with running archaeological sites or creating another apparatus affiliated to archaeological sites authority.

For his part, Minister of Antiquities Mamdoh Damaty reviewed a report about the mains goals of establishing the holding company.

The goals included turning archaeological sites in Egypt into comprehensive tourist and entertainment projects that will lure more tourists to Egypt, Damaty said.

The holding company also aims at providing funds needed for frequent renovation and maintenance operations undertaken at archaeological sites as well as developing the industry of archaeological modelling.

The company will provide trained cadres assigned to work in archaeological sites, Damaty added.