Sudan's historic treasures get at $135 million lifeline from Qatar

The Sudanese tourism minister Mohamed Abdul-Karim Al-Had, disclosed that Qatar is offering $135 million in a joint Sudanese-Qatari project to removate100 archaeological sites in Sudan's Northern and Nahr Alneel state.

The Sudanese official, who spoke at a news conference on Thursday, said that Qatar will offer scientific advice to the National Archeological Center and will also rehabilitate the Sudanese National Museum and restore its precious artifacts.

According to the tourism minister, the Qatari money will be used in establishing two archeological compounds in Nahr Alneel state equipped with the latest infrastructure for exploration and archaeological work in addition to training Sudanese and Qatari cadres.

Al-Had said that the joint project's budget for 2013 which amounts to $42 million has been approved, adding that it will be allocated to Al-Bejrawiyya sites followed by Jebel Al-Barkal.

The executive director of the Sudanese-Qatari project, Abdullah Al -Najar, on his part, affirmed the importance of joint cooperation between the two countries in the field of archeology, saying that it highlights the role of Sudan in ancient civilizations, pointing out that the joint project has strategic importance not only for Sudan but also Qatar.

Al-Najar further urged all concerned agencies and institutions to join the project for the aim of advancing Sudan's archaeological sites as well as promoting and reflecting Sudan's monuments and culture abroad.