The Reorganization of the Grand Egy

On 12 February 2020, Law No. 9 of 2020 (the “Law”) was issued to reorganize the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (“GEM”), which is set to open at the end of this year and is expected to attract around five million visitors annually.[1] While the Law does not drastically change the manner in which the GEM has been structured thus far, it does remove any specific references to ‘ancient Egypt’ from the mandate and tasks of the museum. The Law also charges the Minister of Antiquities with the responsibility of setting the entrance fees and allows the GEM the possibility of establishing joint stock companies or investing in already existing ones as well as the possibility of depositing the GEM’s funds in a commercial bank, rather than solely in the Central Bank of Egypt as has been previously the case. Subsequent regulations to further detail the implementation of this Law, are expected to be issued by August 2020, during which time previous decisions are to remain effective so long as they do not contradict the new Law.

Background

Works for the GEM, which is expected to be “the largest museum dedicated to a single civilization” and the first Egyptian museum to use solar energy, have been ongoing for almost two decades now. The museum’s foundation stone was laid in January 2002 and the museum was originally set to launch in 2012.[2] In October 2016, the museum’s mission and composition was legislatively expounded for the first time through a Prime Ministerial decree that  was issued to establish and structure the GEM;[3] this was soon slightly amended in July of the following year.[4] As per the amended decree and the mission statement on the GEM’s website, the museum is an ‘integrated international cultural center’ that pays homage to ancient Egyptian artefacts and objects. It has a board of trustees (whose formation was initially determined by the Prime Minister but was then entrusted to the President), a board of directors, a manager, and two deputy managers. Finally, it is a public body with an independent budget.

The Restructuring of the GEM

The new Law does not divert much from the previous framework that organized the GEM. As per the Law, the GEM is set up as an economic public body with a legal personality. It is now an integrated international cultural ‘network’ or ‘complex’ (rather than merely a ‘center’) aiming to introduce Egyptian civilization through various services and cultural activities. The main tasks of the GEM comprise museological, cultural, economic, and educational elements, such as exhibitions (both short-term exhibitions and permanent collections), collections management (including object registration, digital documentation, conservation, and storage), research, cultural events (including conferences and seminars), awareness raising, the manufacturing and selling of replicas, and the development and enhancement of the work environment and human resources in the museum. Unlike the previous legislation, the Law clearly lists the GEM’s departments as well as structure: The GEM comprises buildings for exhibitions and others for cultural activities; a conservation center; storage facilities; visitor services halls; and open spaces. Organizationally, it is made up of a Board of Trustees, a Board of Directors, and a CEO (rather than a manager). The Board of Trustees, which is made up of no more than 20 members, is chaired by the President who also decides on the board’s formation, membership period, and internal regulations. As for the Board of Directors, it is to be made up of 10-20 members and is chaired by the Minister of Antiquities; its formation, membership period, internal regulations, and financial dealings will be decided on by the Prime Minister. The CEO is to have two deputies and all three are appointed via a Prime Ministerial decree (taking into consideration the recommendation of the Minister of Antiquities) for a renewable period of three years. Among the most notable changes from the previous set-up is that there is less foregrounding of ancient Egyptian history and of Egyptology. It is not clearly stated as to why this change was passed but one likely explanation is that this is for practical purposes to accommodate a possible expansion in the museum’s acquisitions, collections, and curatorial engagements in the future. In other words, theoretically, there is less restriction on what could be exhibited. The Law also adds an article regarding the entrance fees of the GEM, which are to be decided on by the Minister of Antiquities (with the approval of the GEM’s Board of Directors and the notification of the Ministry of Tourism); the payment and collection of these fees could be done either in cash or electronically. Discounts and exemptions on these fees could be provided through a decision by the Minister of Antiquities or the GEM’s CEO (by authorization from the museum’s Board of Directors). In addition, the GEM is now allowed to establish joint stock companies (alone or with others) or to invest in already existing companies in its attempts to achieve its objectives. It can also outsource the provision, management, and operation of services at the museum to Egyptian or foreign companies or specialized agencies. In cases of necessity, the museum’s Board of Directors can approve contracting foreign nationals in the undertaking of its work or assigning them temporary tasks but only after obtaining the approval of the relevant authorities. Finally, the Law adds a new source for the GEM’s funds (the proceeds from the museum’s activities and entrance fees) and it allows the depositing of these funds either in a private account in the Central Bank of Egypt or otherwise in an account in a commercial bank after the Minister of Finance’s approval.   [1] Law No. 9/2020 reorganizing the Grand Egyptian Museum, Official Gazette, Issue No. 6 (bis) (c), 12 February 2020. [2] Vermillion, S. (2019, August). A ‘secret’ tour inside the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum. CNN Travel, available through this link. [3] Prime Ministerial Decree No. 2795/2016 establishing and structuring the Grand Egyptian Museum, Official Gazette, Issue No. 43 (bis), 30 October 2016. [4] Prime Ministerial Decree No. 1633/2017 amending certain provisions of Prime Ministerial Decree No. 2795/2016 establishing and structuring the Grand Egyptian Museum, Official Gazette, Issue No.30, 27 July 2017.