Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Assem El Gazzar has mandated the swift preparation of drawings for the restoration of ancient Saqqara archaeological area before the end of June, coming up to provide an array of services to potential visitors and contribute to the growth of inbound tourism as a result, Invest-Gate reports.

This came during a meeting held in the presence of Egyptian Antiquities Minister Khaled El Anani, Giza Governor Ahmed Rashid, Supervisor of Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Project Atef Moftah, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Assem El Gazzar, amongst other officials, to follow up on the plans of the development projects of Saqqara, ancient city of Fustat, Ain El Sira Lake, and the GEM, according to a ministerial statement on June 12.

The plans and steps taken with regards to the development of the surrounding area of the GEM were also reviewed, El Gazzar said, stressing that such projects represent a cultural shift in Historic Cairo and will be a prime factor to attracting tourists and citizens to see the orbit’s key monuments.

Moftah confirmed that roads surrounding the museum were completed from the east and west edges. The northern and southern causeways are 90% implemented, in addition to directing procedures for developing other roads that serve the GEM.

For his part, El Gazzar uncovered that the General Authority for Urban Planning is working on assigning a high-caliber consulting office to masterplan Giza’s investment area, in coordination with the governorate body. It will also prepare a land-use plan for areas I, II, and III surrounding the GEM.

Meanwhile, El Anani called on investors to be involved in identifying suitable and attractive activities for tourists in the area surrounding GEM, and thus, contributing to the provision of all basic tourist services on-site.

As for the renovation of ​​Fustat and Ain El Sira Lake, El Gazzar explained that work on the irrigation and purification of the lake is being carried out and is scheduled to be done soon. The master planning of the surrounding area has been finalized.

On January 6, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held a meeting, in the attendance of El Anani, where he referred to the executive position of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat, whereby the implementation rate for the project’s second phase reached between 70% and 65% for the third stage (A), according to a previous cabinet statement by the Egyptian Cabinet.