□ The Export-Import Bank of Korea (www.koreaexim.go.kr, Chairman Yoon Hee-sung, “Korea Eximbank") announced on June 22 that it held an opening ceremony for the Hanoi Branch of KEXIM VLC* and officially launched its business on June 21(local time).

   * KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co., Ltd.: Korea Eximbank established the leasing company in Ho chi minh, Vietnam in 1996 for the purpose of providing facility investment fund and working capital for Korean companies entering the Vietnamese market. 

 ㅇ The ceremony was attended by Korea Eximbank Chairman Yoon and officials from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam, along with representatives of approximately 40 Korean companies conducting business in the northern region of Vietnam.

□ Vietnam is Korea’s largest investment destination, with over 9,000 Korean companies present. Particularly in northern Vietnam, Korean conglomerates and SMEs are actively engaging in joint investments in sectors including electrical·electronics and automobiles.

 ㅇGiven these circumstances, KEXIM VLC’s newly opened Hanoi branch will serve as the bank’s operational base in northern Vietnam, providing close support for facility investments.

□ During the opening ceremony, Korea Eximbank Chairman Yoon said, “The establishment of this branch in Vietnam, where Korea holds an important position as a major investor, will be a significant opportunity to enhance our bank’s export credit finance accessibility for Korean companies in the northern region of Vietnam.”

 ㅇHe added, “Amid the prolonged global economic slowdown, Korea Eximbank will make the best effort to help Korean companies overcome this economic crisis and rebound.”

□ Apart from the opening ceremony, Chairman Yoon had a meeting with Deputy Governor of SBV*, Mr. Pham Thanh Ha, on June 22 and shared ideas for reinforcing Korea Eximbank’s role in Vietnam.

   * The State Bank of Vietnam : As the central bank of Vietnam headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam, the bank establishes monetary policies, controls foreign exchanges, supervises bank operations, etc.