At few days before the unveiling ceremony, Marseille annonces that, beyond the announced efforts, the French Government is ready to go further to secure the €235 million budget.

Having already shouldered €40 million of the €123 million capital expenditures program, the Central Government could now help Marseille in the process of securing the €112 million administrative expenditures.

After the French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin gives the go-ahead, a GIP (Groupement d'interêt public, Public Interest Group) will be created to enable a strong implication of the French State and other public authorities (the Regional Council, the General Council of Bouches-du-Rhône and the Marseille City Council).

A very positive operation for the local taxpayers since, as the French Prime minister wrote in his letter to Jean-Claude Gaudin, the GIP will take in charge the administrative expenditures and "at the proper time", will organize the relative share of contributions payable by each members.

A convenient new source of financing for the Marseille's bid.