KIAT Supports 250,000 Health Masks to the Philippines and Four Other Countries

The Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) has decided to provide quarantine supplies to five developing countries, including the Philippines. (Photo by Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) is providing over 250,000 health masks to five countries: the Philippines, Paraguay, Ecuador, Azerbaijan, and Colombia.

On the 11th, KIAT announced that it will send more than 250,000 health masks to the five countries, including the Philippines, where customs clearance and tax exemption cooperation have been completed, among the countries participating in the Developing Countries Production Site Technical Assistance (TASK) project.

This is to assist developing countries facing difficulties due to factory shutdowns and production facility closures amid the global resurgence of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Developing Countries Production Site Technical Assistance project is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiative by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, where Korean technical experts directly visit production sites of companies in developing countries to provide technical support.

Since 2016, 84 companies have participated, providing technical guidance at 129 sites across 15 countries. This year, 51 companies are transferring know-how in various industrial technology fields such as textiles, molds, and automotive parts to 76 overseas companies in 8 countries.

Seok Young-cheol, President of KIAT, said, "COVID-19 is also affecting exchanges between countries," adding, "With this additional support, we hope local production sites will stabilize quickly and that the cooperation network with developing countries will further develop."