Dr. Khaled El Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, visited the new archaeological replicas factory. This factory the first of its kind in Egypt. It is scheduled to be opened in early 2021 after its workers finished their training.
He was accompanied during the tour by Dr. Mostafa Waziry, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, General Hisham Samir, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Engineering Affairs, and a number of ministry officials.
The minister visited the whole factory; the manual and automated production units, in addition to the service area for workers such as the cafeteria and locker rooms.
The total area of the factory is about 10 thousand square meters. The Factory has 44 artists and workers with experience and specialized in this field work. It is equipped with high tech machines, and has manual and automated production lines for casting metals to produce and raise the efficiency of products from metalwork, as well as a line of wood and carpentry products. In addition to the required molds for production lines, sculpture, printing, drawing and coloring, in addition to an exhibition hall for replicas that are produced.
Dr. Khaled El-Enany confirmed that work in the factory is at full swing in preparation for its imminent opening. He said that this factory will maximize the benefit from the current Egyptian technical and artistic expertise, in addition to creating job opportunities young talents . He added that this will meet the increasing demand on Egyptian antiquities replicas, as replicas are manufactured within the factory at the highest level of technical expertise at the hands of specialists with experience and competence.
Dr. Mostafa Waziry said that this factory was established in the industrial zone of Obour City in cooperation with the Egyptian Kenouz Company for Archaeological Models. He added that it is the first of its kind in Egypt and the Middle East, indicating that it will contribute to the protection of the Egyptian cultural heritage. He said that this factory will contribute in increasing the resources of the Ministry and thus increase National income. He indicated that the factory will also contribute to protecting intellectual property rights for Egyptian antiquities.
He explained that every replica that will be produced in the factory will carry a special stamp of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and a certificate stating that it is an original piece, in addition to placing a barcode for easy identification, which contributes to protecting the unit from imitation and counterfeiting.