Egypt's Ambassador to London Nasser Kamel on Friday said that restoring membership of the the executive board of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reflected international appreciation for Egypt.

In a statement, Kamel said that Egypt has an international stature at the level of the shipping industry after its success in completing the Suez Canal expansion project in record time and the launching of the Suez Canal region's development project to serve the international maritime trade.

Egypt's Foreign Minister and the country's ambassador here made intensive contacts with all member states of the IOM to support the Egyptian candidacy for the organization's executive board.

Egypt was elected on Friday as a member of the executive board of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for 2016 and 2017.

Of all 154 votes, Egypt came seventh with 130 votes, after Singapore, Turkey, Malta, Australia, Cyprus and Peru.

Also, Kenya, Indonesia, South Africa, Morocco, Denmark, Chile, the Bahamas, Belgium, Mexico, Malaysia, the Philippines, Liberia, Thailand were elected as members of the IMO executive board.

The elections were held on the sidelines of the 29th session of the IMO General Assembly held in London.

More than 1,000 delegates from IMO member states, international governmental and non-governmental organizations attended the meeting.

Sources: MENA