France and the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities signed an agreement to build a museum in the city of Bethlehem, under a heritage preservation and promotion project.

The agreement, for some 700,000 Euro ($915,460 US), was signed on Wednesday in Bethlehem, and will finance the establishment of a national museum in the Old City of Bethlehem, the training of museographers in cooperation with French institutions including The Louvre and the French National Heritage Institution, as well as fund long-term planning and management.

The project, expected to enhance tourism in Bethlehem and boost the quality of activities available for visitors, has a planned start date of Fall 2010, with the arrival of a French expert in Bethlehem. The project is expected to last two years.

The Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khouloud Daibes, and the Consul General of France in Jerusalem Frédéric Desagneaux signed the agreement on behalf of their nations.

Maan News