A Project Under the Auspies of the Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit
In 2002 the German Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH announced a compitition with the goal of establishing a centre for training and further education of restorers in Cairo as part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP project).
The concrete aim was training and qualifying craftsmen and reproductionists for the realisation of the intended long-term refurbishment and restoration of Cairo's Old Town.
The PPP project was designed to benefit those involved in diverse functions of the Old Town refurbishment and the area of restoration.
In October 2002 the Atelier für Steinrestaurierung (AfS) GmbH and the Partnergesellschaft pons asini began the implemtation of the PPP project together with the GTZ.
The project has now successfully come to a close. Although we can look back on what appears to be continuity, the project remained fundamentally dependant on the understanding of our partners. We are pleased to be able to say that the project goals were still achieved.
The close cooperation with the Egyptian collegues showed that Egypt posesses a high potential of educated professionals. With the support of foreign collegues the restorative measures were able to be implemented effectively. The cooperation was very beneficial on the one hand for the cultural understanding and on the other for the technical.
The skills and a deeper understanding of the use of traditional techniques and materials, modern techniques and materials and quality assurance were able to be communicated through extensive training programmes, seminars, lectures and theme events on different aspects.
The ARGE found a partner in Aga Khan Trust For Culture with which continuity in the cooperation was possible. Aga Khan Trust For Culture has made notworthy accomplishments in the refurbishment of the Old Town and employs several engineers, restorers and architects due to self-management and logistics. This constellation had a very positive effect on the PPP project, since a wide spectrum of professionals were able to be reached through the cooperation of Aga Khan Trust For Culture and the ARGE and diverse constructional restoration measures were able to be combined with practical seminars and projects for further education.
The PPP project closed with the establishment of the Egyptian-German Joint-Venture Enterprise
ARGE 
ARabian GErman Union For Conservation Of Art And Antiquities
and thus the contiuation of the initiated work.
In addition to a number of German professional restorers the regular staff members of the ARGE is composed of young Egyptian restorers, whose qualification and competency for independant planning and practical restoration work is a fundamental part of the project work of the ARGE.
With involvement from the Egyptian firm Chemicals For Modern Buildings (CMB) the ARGE will not only continue to further the synergetic international cooperation, but also work towards improving the supply of restoration resources and tools. Whereby aside from the availability of high-quality special resources and equipment from all over the world, emphasis is placed on the development and marketing of domestic goods.
The services offered by the ARGE range from analyses and investigations, planning, project management to the implementation of complex restoration projects. The ARGE would additionally like to remain a consulting partner for all those involved in historical preservation in Egypt.
pons asini , Mellingen in December 2004
