Following notification of a serious intention to raise funds to save the Sekhemka statue for the UK, the Culture Minister has decided to initiate a second deferral period. A decision on the export licence application will be deferred until 29 March 2016.

The purpose of the export deferral period is to allow a buyer the opportunity to save the Sekhemka statue for the UK, and ensure there will be public access to the statue.

For more information about the Sekhemka statue and the initial export bar, please see here