Export-Import Bank to Lead Major AI Transformation with 22 Trillion Won Investment Over Five Years

Launch of AX Special Program
20 Trillion Won in Loans and Guarantees for AI-Related Companies
2 Trillion Won Direct and Indirect Investment in Startups

The Export-Import Bank of Korea will invest 22 trillion won over the next five years to support a major artificial intelligence (AI) transformation for Korean companies.

On January 22, the Export-Import Bank announced the launch of the AX Special Program. This program is designed to support AI companies in three key areas: loans and guarantees, investment, and ecosystem development. First, 20 trillion won will be allocated to the loans and guarantees program. The program targets companies across the entire AI industry, from high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and other semiconductors to infrastructure such as data centers, as well as the development of large language models (LLMs), AI solutions, robotics, and AI factory construction. Notably, within a 2 trillion won limit, large corporations can receive interest rate reductions of up to 1.2 percentage points, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies can benefit from reductions of up to 1.4 percentage points. SMEs and mid-sized companies located outside the Seoul metropolitan area will receive an additional 0.2 percentage point reduction, for a maximum total reduction of 1.6 percentage points.

The Export-Import Bank will also pursue investment operations totaling 2 trillion won. The targets are startups in the early stages of the AI industry, such as AI chips, models, and solutions. Investments will be made not only indirectly through venture capital (VC) but also directly. Additional measures to foster the AI ecosystem have also been introduced. For SMEs and mid-sized companies that either enter overseas markets in partnership with large corporations or supply AI-related products to large corporations, the interest rate reduction will be expanded from 1 percentage point to 1.5 percentage points. Free customized consulting will also be provided to SMEs and mid-sized companies seeking to transition to AI.

An official from the Export-Import Bank stated, "The AI industry is a core infrastructure that will determine the country's future competitiveness. Bold and comprehensive financial support is essential for Korean companies to secure their competitiveness in the era of AI transformation," adding, "We will strengthen all-around financial support so that Korean companies can grow into global leaders across all areas of the AI industry."