Export-Import Bank dispatches 34 EDCF experts to developing nations
![The Export-Import Bank of Korea develops cooperation specialists. [KOREA EXIMBANK]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/04/25/8ad53473-b64a-4d67-9413-4195f5b6191c.jpg)
The Export-Import Bank of Korea develops cooperation specialists. [KOREA EXIMBANK]
The Export-Import Bank of Korea will dispatch 34 young regional experts to 13 developing countries to nurture international development cooperation specialists through the EDCF program, it announced on April 18.
The EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund) was established in 1987 by the Korean government to facilitate Korea’s economic exchanges.
The fund provides long-term, low-interest credit funds to support industrial development and economic stability in developing countries.
Managed under the direction of the Minister of Strategy and Finance, the Export-Import Bank of Korea operates with entrusted funds from the ministry to carry out this mission.
The developing countries concerned are Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Laos, India, Uzbekistan, Tanzania, Ghana and Colombia.
The EDCF Young Regional Experts Program has been conducted annually since 2010.
The overseas internship program selects Korean university students — both undergraduate and graduate — as preparatory international development cooperation specialists and dispatches them to developing countries.
The 34 students who passed the written exams and interviews were selected on April 15 by the EDCF.
The young regional experts will stay for six months at 13 EDCF overseas offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, among others.
During this time, they will grow into future ODA (Official Development Assistance) specialists equipped with global competencies.
They will participate in meetings with governments and international organizations, and conduct on-site inspections of EDCF projects.
Additionally, they will accumulate experiences regarding international development cooperation by performing various tasks such as researching the economic and ODA status of each country.
“The EDCF Young Regional Experts Program provides an excellent opportunity for the students to carry their experiences in overseas offices well beyond to their overseas careers,” said Park Jong-kyu, vice president of the Export-Import Bank of Korea.
“We hope that many young people interested in ODA will grow into global talents through the enhancement of their global competencies and accumulation of experiences.”
Kyung Hunmo, 29, who completed the EDCF Young Regional Experts Program in Uzbekistan last year said: “Engaging in EDCF promotional vlog activities filmed on-site was a great experience to not only promote EDCF globally but also for making positive memories that are still reminiscent.”
“The experience in participating in projects dealing with major areas for cooperative endeavors such as health, ICT, and education has greatly contributed to enhancing my interest and understanding of common issues in the increasingly interconnected field of development cooperation,” said Hunmo.
BY JEONG SEONWU [jeong.seonwu@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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