Ambassador of South Korea to Cairo, Hong Jin Wook, said that Egypt with its strategic location linking three continents, the Suez Canal which serves as a hub for global trade routes, its huge population of over 100 million people, and the Egyptian government's bold economic reforms, is a key strategic cooperation partner to Korea. The Ambassador added that he is looking forward to having an even brighter future with the new Korean government sworn into office this month. Ambassador Hong also said that both countries witnessed the conclusion of a K-9 self-propelled howitzer contract, a historic achievement in the bilateral collaboration, stressing that he is looking forward to witnessing more and more meaningful results from the great bilateral ties with Korea's participation in Egypt's national mega projects including the manufacturing and maintenance of 320 trains for the Cairo metro lines 2 and 3. His remarks came during his participation in the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund's (EDCF) Egypt-Korea High-Level Policy dialogue organized at the Ministry of International Cooperation on Sunday, to exchange views on bilateral development cooperation with Rania Al-Mashat, Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation, and participants from relevant Egyptian ministries. This EDCF policy dialogue was attended by the Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Korean EXIM bank delegations visiting Egypt from 26 May to 1 June, the dialogue was also attended by the relevant Egyptian ministries and authorities including Ministry of International Cooperation, Ministry of Transport, National Authority of Tunnel, and Egyptian National Railways. The Korean Ambassador stated that the bilateral Korean-Egyptian development cooperation has become very active after the Korean government's designation of Egypt as an Official Development Assistance (ODA) priority partner for 2021-2025, the signing of three documents by the Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation in the presence of both the Korean and Egyptian presidents on Egypt's E-procurement system, the Luxor-high dam railway modernization, and the EDCF loan signed with the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of Korea on the occasion of Korean President Moon Jae-In's historic visit to Egypt in January 2022. Ambassador Hong has also thanked Al-Mashat and the Ministry of International Cooperation for their untiring efforts in enhancing bilateral ties and development collaboration. He also requested the Minister's continued support to South Korea for a further strengthened partnership between the two countries. The Ambassador hoped that this policy dialogue format between the two countries will continue to be held on a regular basis in the future, to engage in a fruitful exchange of views on pending issues, and to explore future areas for the two countries to work together, opening up new avenues. On her part, Al-Mashat, stated that there were many significant documents signed during the historic visit of Korean President Moon Jae-in to Egypt in January. Al-Mashat also said that in addition to the field of Transport, in which cooperation with Korean companies is growing, the Egyptian government is looking forward to more contributions from South Korea and new cooperation in new areas including Transformation to a Green Economy, especially with Egypt's hosting of COP27.
