Egypt's Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly speaks during a press conference ahead of the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt. AP
PM Madbouly made the remarks during a press conference ahead of the GEM's opening ceremony.
The Egyptian PM emphasised that whether they were collaborating on organising major national events or carrying out projects, the private sector and the state have demonstrated a model of successful partnership.
He expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the GEM project, beginning with the person who first conceived the idea, and extending to those who participated in all the implementation stages, culminating in the GEM opening ceremony.
During the press conference, Madbouly revealed that the idea of establishing the GEM dates back approximately 30 years. At that time, the state commissioned several preliminary technical studies that were followed by an international competition to select a specific design for the museum.
Despite forging ahead with implementing the project, Madbouly noted, the state was forced to halt construction following the events of 2011 in Egypt.
The state later resumed construction, he explained, after President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued instructions to complete the project in a manner befitting Egypt's grandeur and civilisation.
Madbouly added that by the time construction resumed, only a tiny fraction of the project had been completed, and that the most substantial parts of the project had been carried out over the past seven to eight years.
Madbouly further affirmed that the GEM represents a global landmark and a symbol of Egypt's ancient civilisation.
He regarded it as a gift from Egypt to the entire world.
"Today, we witness a unique and exceptional event; the GEM opening ceremony," the Egyptian PM said during the press conference.
For his part, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy stated that the number of visitors to the GEM is expected to reach five million annually. He noted that the GEM constitutes a significant addition to Egypt's existing cultural tourism.
"We take pride in the Egyptian hands and in the cooperation with numerous entities that contributed to the implementation of the GEM," the Egyptian tourism minister said.
Fathy confirmed ongoing cooperation between the state and the private sector in managing archaeological sites and projects related to antiquities nationwide.
Located near the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the GEM is set to become the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation: ancient Egypt.
It will display thousands of priceless artefacts, including the entire collection of more than 5,000 pieces from the tomb of Tutankhamun, shown together for the first time in a single hall.
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