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Egyptian PM’s visit to archaeological site set to boost tourism

Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly's historic visit to the Saqqara archaeological site took place ahead of the inauguration of several new museums in the coming months.

Policemen walk along a promontory overlooking (R to L) the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren), and the Pyramid of Menkaure (Menkheres) at the Giza Pyramids necropolis on the southwestern outskirts of the Egyptian capital Cairo on October 20, 2020 before an official ceremony launching the trial operations of the site's first environmentally-friendly electric bus and restaurant as part of a wider development plan at the necropolis. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALE
Policemen walk along a promontory overlooking (R to L) the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) and the Pyramid of Menkaure (Menkheres) at the Giza Pyramids necropolis on the southwestern outskirts of Cairo before an official ceremony launching the trial operations of the site's first environmentally friendly electric bus and restaurant as part of a wider development plan at the necropolis, Egypt, Oct. 20, 2020. — KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

CAIRO — Egypt is gearing up to open the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization later this year and the Grand Egyptian Museum in early 2021. To promote these important events, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly made a historic visit to the archaeological site of Saqqara, located south of Cairo.

Madbouly inspected Oct. 19 the excavation works carried out by the Egyptian archaeological mission working in the Saqqara antiquities area. He visited the archaeological site and participated in the inspection works along with the members of the archaeological mission — a first in the history of the country. 

The visit boosted the morale of workers and led them to expedite the discovery of antiquities, artifacts and mummies dating back more than 2,500 years. Madbouly went down one of the three new burial wells that were found to inspect for himself the coffins that were discovered inside.

Zahi Hawass, an Egyptian archaeologist and former minister of antiquities, told Al-Monitor that Egypt is conveying a message to the world that it is interested in antiquities, culture and civilization.

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