Export-Import Bank Holds 'Nuclear Power Plant Export Companies Meeting'

Financial Support Commitment to Secure Global Competitiveness and Strengthen the Industrial Ecosystem of the Nuclear Power Industry

On the afternoon of the 27th, the Export-Import Bank held a 'Nuclear Power Export Companies Meeting' at its Yeouido headquarters, attended by executives and employees of nuclear power export companies and related organizations. The third person from the left in the front row is Kim Hyung-jun, Head of the Project Finance Division at the Export-Import Bank.

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Hwajeong] The Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) announced on the 29th that it held a 'Nuclear Power Export Companies Meeting' on the afternoon of the 27th at its Yeouido headquarters to listen to the export trends of domestic companies in the nuclear power sector and to explain KEXIM's financial support system.

Attendees included overseas business executives and employees from nuclear power export companies such as Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Doosan Enerbility, GS Energy, as well as officials from the Korea Nuclear Power Export Industry Association.

At the meeting, KEXIM explained ▲ its intention to provide financial support to ordering parties for large-scale nuclear power projects in which Korean companies are participating in bids ▲ financial solutions for replacement projects of operating nuclear power plants (equipment exports) ▲ financial cooperation plans with SMR (Small Modular Reactor) technology development companies for the export of SMR equipment by Korean companies and overseas SMR business development.

KEXIM plans to provide proactive and competitive financing to nuclear power export companies to secure global competitiveness and new growth engines for the nuclear power industry. Earlier, as part of the 110 national tasks announced by the government on the 3rd, the export industrialization of nuclear power and strengthening the competitiveness of the nuclear power industry ecosystem were selected, with an active bidding campaign announced aiming to export 10 nuclear power plants by 2030.

Im Seung-yeol, head of the Overseas Nuclear Power Business Division at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, who attended the meeting, said, "Overseas nuclear power projects are truly a national competition, and KEXIM's role in supporting large-scale long-term financing is important."

Kang Hong-gyu, Executive Director of Nuclear Sales BG at Doosan Enerbility, said, "The growth potential in the SMR field is very large," adding, "KEXIM's financial support is needed for the ongoing demonstration projects and subsequent commercialization projects."

Park Tae-cheol, Director of the Nuclear Power Export Industry Association, said, "Small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the foundation of the nuclear power ecosystem, are in a difficult situation," and suggested, "Let's cooperate closely to support these companies."

In response, Kim Hyung-jun, head of KEXIM's Project Finance Division, said, "Based on the vivid voices from the field at this meeting, we will prepare effective financial support measures and actively support our companies' overseas nuclear power projects."

KEXIM has expressed its intention to provide active financial support for overseas nuclear power projects in Saudi Arabia, Poland, and other countries being promoted by KEPCO and KHNP.