The Export-Import Bank of Korea said on Jan. 22 it will launch the "AX (AI transformation) special program," investing 22 trillion won over five years to strengthen the global competitiveness of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
The program will support AI corporations across three areas: ▲ loans and guarantees ▲ investment ▲ ecosystem development. It will first inject 20 trillion won into the loans and guarantees program. From infrastructure such as semiconductors and data centers to large language model (LLM) development and the build-out of AI solutions, robots, and factories, corporations across the entire AI industry are eligible.
Within a 2 trillion won limit, large corporations will receive interest rate benefits of up to 1.2 percentage points, and small and midsize corporations up to 1.4 percentage points. In line with the government's "region-led growth" policy, small and midsize corporations outside the greater Seoul area will receive an additional preferential rate of 0.2 percentage point.
It will also pursue 2 trillion won in investments. Startups in the early stages of the industry—such as AI chips, models, and solutions—are eligible, and it plans to conduct direct and indirect investments through venture capital (VC) and other channels. Preferential interest rates for small and midsize corporations that enter overseas markets alongside large corporations or supply AI-related items to large corporations will be expanded from 1 percentage point to as much as 1.5 percentage points.
It also plans to provide free customized consulting to small and midsize corporations seeking AI transformation.
A Korea Eximbank official said, "We plan to strengthen all-around financial support so that our corporations can grow into global leaders across all areas of the AI industry."