meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Grand Egyptian Museum prepares to open

18 October 2023

 

The way Egypt presents its more-than-5,000-year history will be transformed by the end of this year when the Grand Egyptian Museum facing the Giza Pyramids complex on the outskirts of Cairo is unveiled.

Speaking at the site at the end of September, Major General Atef Moftah, general director of the Grand Egyptian Museum Project and Surrounding Area, confirmed that the long-awaited museum project will be ready to open by the end of this year.

“We are now witnessing a dream come true,” he said, speaking through an interpreter. “There were a lot of obstacles with what the world went through in 2020 with Covid-19, and then the economic challenges that came with the conflict in Ukraine, but that is all behind us now.”

Whenever Egypt requests the return of stolen monuments, it usually comes with rejection
Major General Atef Moftah, Grand Egyptian Museum Project and Surrounding Area

National symbol 

The project is an important national symbol for Egypt as it seeks to reclaim control of its history. The large-scale, world-class museum will strengthen Egypt’s requests to return historical artefacts held in museums and private collections worldwide.

“Whenever Egypt requests the return of stolen monuments, it usually comes with rejection,” said Atef.

“The response is why should we return it? It is well preserved where it is now, and Egypt does not have a museum or storage area that can care for the artefacts properly. 

“This is why Egypt needs to have a large building to showcase its history and demonstrate to the world that the country is capable of preserving and properly presenting the history of our ancestors.” 

More than a museum

For construction, the project has been one of the region’s most significant building projects over the past decade. With a built-up area of 430,000 square metres, there were 5,000 men working on the site during the peak construction period.

While the building is named the Grand Egyptian Museum, it also has a conference centre with a 3D cinema as well as retail and food and beverage areas.

“The project is called a museum, but the building is a lot more than just a museum,” says Huibert Vos, project director for the Grand Egyptian Museum for Hill International.

Project timeline

The project took its first steps in 1998 when it was decided that a new museum was needed.

An architectural design competition was launched in 2002, overseen by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). The contest initially attracted 1,557 entries from 82 countries. After two rounds of judging, a design from Dublin-based Heneghan Peng Architects was selected for the project. 

In 2005, the first phase of the construction started with enabling works on the site. The Egyptian government paid for these initial works. The Egyptian government also paid for the project’s second phase, which involved building a conservation centre, with construction beginning in 2006 and completing in 2010. 

The project then secured a funding commitment of 65 per cent for its third phase, involving the museum’s construction, from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica). 

The first step that Jica requested was to prequalify and select the project management consultant (PMC).

After choosing a PMC team of US-based Hill International and the local Ehaf Engineers, the prequalification for the project’s main contractor started. This was followed by a tender and the award of a $810m 40-month contract to a joint venture of Belgium’s Besix and the local Orascom Construction in December 2011.

Initially, the Supreme Council for Antiquities was the client body overseeing the project’s construction. 

Four years later, the project was running behind schedule, with only 20 per cent of the works completed. External factors, such as political changes in Egypt, contributed to the slow progress.

The government sought solutions to speed up the project, and the construction was put under the Egyptian Army’s control.

“Within four years and with hard work from the team working on the project, we were able to complete 95 per cent of the work,” said Atef. 

The museum is not just a construction project. The army has had to work closely with the antiquities ministry to arrange the installation of the museum’s artefacts. Atef said this occurred in parallel with the construction to expedite the delivery of the project.

Everyone told us that we could not move the boat to the new building in one piece, but we did it

Another additional aspect of the project is the construction of a building adjacent to the Grand Museum to house two solar boats. These river barges were sealed in pits next to the pyramids to carry the resurrected pharaohs across the heavens.

One of the barges was previously on display in the Solar Boat Museum next to the pyramids and was transferred to the new building in 2021.

“This was a logistical challenge. Everyone told us that we could not move the boat to the new building in one piece, but we did it,” said Atef. 

Tourism boost 

The museum will support Egypt’s plans to reinvigorate its tourism sector. The country recently revealed plans to double the number of visitors over the next five years.

It aims to attract 30 million visitors by 2028 and is on track to receive 15 million tourists this year.

“Egypt is one of the best tourist destinations in the world, and this museum next to the pyramids gives the country another major attraction,” said Atef.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11225019/main.gif
Colin Foreman

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Contractor wins $197m Doha infrastructure works

    6 November 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has awarded an estimated QR722m ($197m) contract to develop roads and infrastructure north of Al-Rifaa Street in Doha.

    The contract was awarded to local firm Tadmur Contracting Company.

    Six other contractors submitted bids: 

    • Qatar Trading & Contracting Group ($244m)
    • Iris Construction Tourism Industry & Trade ($259m)
    • Lotus Trading & Contracting ($260m)
    • Generic Engineering Technologies & Contracting ($261m)
    • Alghanim International / National Industrial Contracting ($268m)
    • Hamad Bin Khalid Contracting Company ($281m)

    The scope of work covers the construction of more than 34 kilometres of roads, dedicated plot developments, site clearance, backfill and earthworks.

    The package also requires the installation of surface and groundwater drainage systems, a foul-water drainage network and treated sewage effluent lines.

    In addition, the contractor will deliver a dedicated pumping station, an emergency flood area pond, 3,735 car parking spaces, road cross-sectional elements and verge parking bays.

    Secondary infrastructure works include electrical distribution, water mains, utility lines, manholes, gully pots and house connections, along with kerbing, road pavement works, landscaping, street lighting, road markings and directional signage.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21204827/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Stakeholders aim to sign Iraq pipeline deal by year end

    6 November 2026

     

    Stakeholders expect a key contract to be signed before the end of the year for the development of a major oil export pipeline network in Iraq, according to industry sources.

    Iraq and Syria’s governments, state-owned oil companies and a consortium led by Qatar’s UCC are currently discussing the terms.

    If all parties agree to the proposed deal, the UCC-led coalition will become the selected developer responsible for tendering engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the project.

    The consortium includes US-based Chevron, the investment company TI Capital and France’s TotalEnergies.

    The proposed plan will use a fast-track framework to bring the pipelines online as quickly as possible.

    One source said: “The plan that is being discussed is highly unusual, because it is such a large-scale pipeline project and it would be brought online in a relatively short timeframe.”

    A team from UCC is currently in Iraq for meetings with government officials to discuss the project, one source said.

    The project will be focused on four pipeline packages:

    • Basra to Najaf
    • Najaf to Haditha
    • Haditha to Fish Khapour
    • Haditha to Banias Port in Syria

    In July, Iraq’s cabinet approved state-owned Basra Oil Company signing a ​heads of agreement and a non-disclosure agreement with the UCC-led consortium to explore possible future oil pipeline projects.

    Under the terms of the agreement, the consortium is preparing technical and financial feasibility studies for strategic export pipeline projects.

    Also in July, US-based KBR was awarded a consultancy contract for the section of pipeline due to extend from Basra to Haditha.

    In April, Iraq announced the allocation of $1.5bn for the Basra-Haditha route, while the larger scheme is estimated at around $5bn.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21181262/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Taqa shortlists 17 contractors for Mirfa-Liwa scheme

    6 November 2026

     

    Up to 17 contractors have been invited to submit bids for a major water transmission and distribution scheme serving Mirfa, Madinat Zayed and Liwa in Abu Dhabi, a source close to the project has confirmed to MEED.

    The project, originally estimated to cost $775m, comprises a water transmission system from Mirfa, alongside distribution networks serving farms and settlements in Abu Dhabi’s western region.

    In October, MEED exclusively reported that a request for proposals had been issued, with bids due on 5 January 2027, following an extension from the initial deadline of 11 November 2026.

    The Mirfa-Liwa scheme has been in procurement for several years and was previously tendered in December 2024 as an engineering, procurement and construction scheme, divided between transmission and distribution works.

    As MEED understands, it was recently re-tendered under a design, build and operate model, extending the contractor’s responsibilities to operating the infrastructure after construction.

    According to sources, the full list of contractors invited to bid for the tender includes:

    • Afcons Infrastructure (India)
    • Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies (Saudi Arabia)
    • China Machinery Engineering Corporation (China)
    • China National Chemical Engineering (China)
    • China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group (China)
    • Danway Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (UAE)
    • Emarat Aloula Contracting (UAE)
    • FCC Aqualia (Spain)
    • Gulf Contractors Company (UAE)
    • Hydropower Energy & General Construction (UAE)
    • Jereh Oil & Gas Engineering Corporation (China)
    • Mapa (Turkiye)
    • Nesma & Partners Contracting Company (Saudi Arabia)
    • Orascom Construction (Egypt)
    • Power Construction Corporation of China (China)
    • Tecton Engineering & Construction (UAE)
    • Tristar Engineering & Construction (UAE)

    According to details seen by MEED, the scope includes a pumping station at Mirfa with a capacity of 128 million imperial gallons a day, approximately 125 kilometres of transmission pipelines to Muzairah, with branches to Madinat Zayed and Liwa Summit, and storage tanks at the three locations.

    The distribution network is divided into four geographic clusters covering Liwa East, Liwa West, Madinat Zayed and Seih Al-Kheir. The works include associated pipelines, pumping stations and storage facilities.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21181223/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Gulf conflict cuts Emirates Group profit by 66%

    6 November 2026

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Dubai’s Emirates Group made a profit before tax of AED4.1bn ($1.1bn) in the first half of its 2026-27 financial year, 66% less than the AED12.2bn it made in the same period last year.

    The six months to 30 September were the group’s first full half-year since military activity disrupted commercial air traffic across the Gulf on 28 February. Group revenue fell 12% to AED66.2bn ($18bn), from AED75.4bn a year earlier. Profit after tax fell 66% to AED3.6bn ($1bn).

    Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) fell 41% to AED12.5bn ($3.4bn).

    The results follow a record 2025-26 financial year. The group made a profit before tax of AED24.4bn in that year, on revenue of AED150.5bn.

    “It has been a demanding six months, and once again our business model and our people stood up to the test,” said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group. “Customer demand held firm and our cargo operations made a strong contribution, keeping revenue and cash levels healthy even as global jet fuel prices doubled against the same period last year.”

    Airline performance

    Emirates airline’s profit before tax fell 68% to AED3.7bn ($1bn), compared with AED11.4bn a year earlier. Its revenue fell 13% to AED56.9bn ($15.5bn). The airline carried 21.8 million passengers, 22% fewer than a year earlier. Capacity measured in available seat kilometres fell 17%, and the passenger seat factor dropped to 72% from 79.5%.

    Cargo partly offset the drop in passenger numbers. Emirates SkyCargo carried 1.2 million tonnes, 1% less than a year earlier, but its revenue rose 52%. The conflict reduced the airfreight capacity available on the market, and disruption to shipping pushed shippers towards air transport.

    Before hedging gains, fuel costs rose 60%, even though the airline uplifted 12% less fuel. Gains of AED7.1bn ($1.9bn) from fuel hedging cut the net increase in fuel costs to 13%. Fuel accounted for 34% of operating costs.

    On 30 September, Emirates was operating 91% of its pre-disruption network, serving 150 airports in 78 countries and territories. On 31 March, it had been flying 58% of its passenger capacity to 122 destinations in 65 countries.

    Fleet investment

    The airline received nine Airbus A350s and five Boeing 777 freighters during the period. Its fleet grew to 289 aircraft, from 277 on 31 March. Emirates is continuing its cabin retrofit programme, a planned investment of more than $7bn. It refurbished 12 aircraft in the first half. In May, it broke ground on a $5.1bn engineering and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Al-Maktoum International airport, which is expected to be completed in the mid-2030s.

    The group’s cash position was AED54.1bn ($14.7bn) on 30 September, down from a record AED59.6bn on 31 March. The group said it had used its reserves to make pre-delivery payments for aircraft and to service existing debt. It also paid the remaining AED2bn of the AED3.5bn dividend declared for 2025-26 to its owner, the Investment Corporation of Dubai.

    Ground services and travel company dnata made a profit before tax of AED410m ($112m), down 51%. Its revenue fell 7% to AED11bn ($3bn), and the group said dnata’s international businesses helped offset weaker traffic in the UAE.

    The group’s workforce fell 2% to 128,237 people.

    “We enter the second half of our 2026-27 financial year with measured optimism,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21198114/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • King Salman airport tenders roads and utilities package

    6 November 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) has tendered the Zone C1+C2 roads, bridges and utility networks package for King Salman International airport (KSIA) in Riyadh.

    The tender was issued on 26 October, and bids are due by 6 December.

    The request for proposals covers the procurement, construction, testing and commissioning of civil infrastructure supporting Terminal 6, alongside the existing Terminals 1-5.

    The scope includes upgrades to Airport Road 539, which runs west of Terminals 1-5, and to part of Mohamed Bin Faraj Road 5333, west of Junction 6.

    It also includes new roads, ramps, service roads, and signalised at-grade junctions. An additional access road will connect the Terminal 6 site offices to Road 5333.

    Structures will include the Junction 6 and Terminal 6 bridges, retaining walls and reinforced-soil structures.

    The contractor will also construct the central ground services equipment (GSE) bridge. Before construction begins, the contractor must validate the design, complete any outstanding elements – including mechanically stabilised earth walls, approach slabs, drainage and lighting – and secure the required authority approvals.

    Dry utilities will comprise high- and extra-high-voltage containment, a 13.8kV medium-voltage network with package substations, low-voltage distribution and street lighting, and security-surveillance systems.

    Wet utilities will include potable water, fire water, irrigation water, treated sewage effluent, district cooling and wastewater networks. Wastewater pipes will range from 200mm u-PVC gravity lines to 1,700mm glass-reinforced plastic mains.

    The stormwater network will include channels, culverts, ponds and pipes ranging from 400mm to 1,400mm in diameter. Crossings will be constructed using open-cut excavation, horizontal directional drilling or microtunneling.

    Utilities serving the operational terminals will be diverted on a design-and-build basis. Enabling works will include earthworks and the relocation of the security fence and trees. The contractor will also demolish a temporary car park, existing bridges and a sewage pumping station.

    Optional works comprise two design-and-build elements that will proceed only at the client’s instruction.

    The first is the south GSE bridge. The second is an approximately 1,400-metre, multi-lane access road to the Terminal 6 Transportation Hub, including bridges, underpasses, ramps and tunnels, as well as provisions for future Wadi Loop utilities and structures.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21176175/main.png
    Yasir Iqbal