In line with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’s keenness to encourage the owners of handicrafts and provide them with the necessary support, especially in light of the economic issues resulting from the emerging Corona virus crisis, Dr. Khaled El Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, has approved an extension of exemption for tenants of shops selling handicrafts at the Shali Fortress in Siwa Oasis for whoever has paid the rental value for a period of six months from January 1 through June 30, 2021.

Dr. Osama Talaat, Head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the minister had agreed last November on the occasion of the opening of the historic Shali Fortress after the completion of its restoration work on the request of these tenants to exempt them from paying the rental value of these stores until December 31, 2020.

Dr. Osama Talaat pointed out that this comes as a contribution from the ministry to the community development of the village of Shali and providing an opportunity to present the handicrafts, especially in line with the project to revive its heritage and culture.