CAIRO, June 23, 2018 (MENA) - Egypt's Antiquities Minister Khaled el Anany said that his ministry announces in cooperation with the Investment and International Cooperation Ministry the opening of a pre-qualification stage for those hoping to manage and operate facilities at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The Antiquities Ministry will manage all matters related to the artifacts, its restoration center and stores besides the exhibition halls and securing them, he noted. These remarks came by the antiquities minister on the sidelines of the tour of GEM by Premier and Housing Minister Moustafa Madboli who was also accompanied by Giza Governor Kamal el Daly on Saturday. Anany asserted that the project of establishing GEM is financed by the Egyptian government in cooperation with its Japanese counterpart represented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). During the tour, the premier was briefed by Anany on the work progress of the venture where 78% of it have been finalized. The first stage of the project will be inaugurated by the end of December, the minister reiterated.