The Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has signed a contract with Orascom Investment Holding (OIH) on December 13 to provide and operate high-quality services and facilities at the area surrounding the Pyramids of Giza, retaining the council’s authority over the area, Invest-Gate reports.
The authority is entitled to a fixed amount of 10% per annum up to the end of the project term, as a guaranteed annual minimum; or an amount equivalent to 50% of ODE’s forthcoming net profit, the company said in a bourse filing.
OIH’s services are set to include holding promotional campaigns for the archaeological landmark, managing operations in the parking area located around the entrance of Fayoum Road, providing an internal transportation network for visitors.
The giant company will also manage operations of the site’s visitor center, which will encompass shops, cafeterias, and a cinema, offering various types of services such as a free Wi-Fi, signage, visitor maps, amongst others.
In addition to offering 20 golf carts and 20 mobile toilets, General Secretary of SCA Mustafa Waziri to Ahram Online.
The contract was signed following the cabinet’s approval, after almost a year of negotiations, and it aims to enhance the services available to the pyramids’ visitors, according to the filing.
Waziri told Ahram Online stressed that the contract retains the council’s full control over the area, noting that the council is the only body that receives revenues from the tickets and bus services inside the plateau, which will be part of the ticket price in the future.
“The Tourism and Antiquities Police and the Supreme Council of Antiquities guards are the only ones to secure the general site, the visitors and the archaeological site,” he stated, pointing out that the security to be provided by OIH will only be present to safeguard the places where services are provided.
This deal marks the first time such services to visitors are provided through a specialized Egyptian-based company, according to Waziri.