South Korean President Moon Jae-in awarded the first class of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit to Egyptian Finance Minister Mohamed Maait in recognition of his distinguished efforts in removing obstacles and resolving problems facing the Korean companies and investments in Egypt.

The South Korean president also bestowed the second class of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit on Chairman of the Egyptian Korean Business Council Eng. Khaled Naser for his prominent role in enabling the Korean firms to enter the Egyptian market.

The South Korean President was scheduled to confer the orders on Maait and Naser during a visit to Egypt, but it was not possible due to the coronavirus.

On the behalf of the South Korean president, the country's Ambassador in Cairo Hong Jin-Wook conferred the orders on Maait and Naser in a celebration held here for honoring them, the Finance Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The Korean ambassador said that this celebration is held to recognize the contributions made by the two prominent figures who he said helped boost bilateral relations between Seoul and Cairo.