CAIRO, Sept 8, 2018 (MENA) – Egyptian Minister of Planning Hala el Saeed said that LE 6.65 billion have been allocated as investments in the antiquities sector in the financial year 2018/2019. Saeed's remarks came during a meeting of the ministerial committee on preserving archaeological palaces, chaired by her, and grouping Antiquities Minister Khaled el Anani, Tourism Minister Rania el Mashat, and communication Minister Amr Talaat, along with other officials. The meeting tackled allotting funds for revamping the archaeological palaces in Cairo and nationwide in order to preserve and protect such treasures which tell a lot about Egypt, its history, and heritage. The antiquities sector is a central component of Egypt's soft power, Saeed elaborated, adding it is deemed one of the vital pillars of the country's economy. Anani pointed out that some archaeological palaces would be included in the Antiquities Ministry's renovation plan. Mashat pointed out a proposal aimed at using the spectacular palaces in tourism, through turning them into "Boutique Hotels", which offer upscale accommodations that attract high-spending tourists.
