Grand Egyptian Museum remains fully state-owned, not run by JICA – ministry
Egypt’s ministry of tourism and antiquities denied on Sunday reports circulating on social media that Japan’s aid agency JICA had been granted the right to manage or operate the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) for ten years in exchange for concessional loans.
In a statement, the ministry said the claims were “completely unfounded,” stressing that the two soft loans provided by the Japanese government were obtained on favourable terms and are being repaid in full by Egypt according to agreed schedules.
“The loans are not linked in any way to granting management, operational, or usufruct rights to any foreign entity within the museum,” the statement said.
The ministry added that the Grand Egyptian Museum is an economic authority fully owned by the Egyptian state, reporting to the minister of antiquities, who also chairs its board of directors. The ministry said it alone is responsible for the museum’s management, archaeological halls, storage facilities, and restoration centre, while it cooperates with Legacy for Management and Development Company only on visitor services.
The ministry urged media outlets and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing it and to rely on official sources to avoid spreading false or misleading news.
Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: Y.Yasser