CKI grants 260,000 USD to KOSBI to foster women-owned SMEs

SEOUL--(Korea Newswire)--Citibank Korea (CEO Ha Yung-Ku, www.citibank.co.kr) signed an agreement for the “2011 Women-Owned Enterprise Competitiveness Enhancement Program” with Korea Small Business Institute (President Chang Ji-Jong, www.kosbi.re.kr) and contributed 290 million won (260,000 USD) in sponsorship funds. At the signing ceremony held on April 13 at 15th fl. Central Part Hall of Lexington Hotel, a total of 80 people participated including KOSBI President Chang, EVP Kim Myung-Ok of Citibank Korea, Div. Head Choi Soo-Gyu of Small & Medium Business Administration and Senior Vice Chairperson Lee Geum-Seon of Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association along with program organizers and women-owned entrepreneur academy course takers.
 
The program is funded by Citi Foundation and led by KOBSI and lasted since 2007 with goals to build role models for women-owned SMEs and sharpen their competitive edges. The focus of 2011 initiative is to strengthen competitiveness of women-led businesses on the global stage. The funds will support provision of programs such as “Citi-KOSBI women-owned enterprise academy”, “Citi-KOSBI women entrepreneurs’ award”, and “Networking among women business owners at home and abroad”.
 
“We expect this program will be of great help to nurture talent of the Korean women CEOs and enhance their standing,” EVP Kim Myung-Ok of Citibank Korea said on behalf of CEO Ha Hyung-Ku. “Citibank remains committed to strengthening women’s rights and competitiveness in our society,” she added. KOSBI President Jang mentioned, “Utilizing promising women-owned companies and supporting them is more important than ever at a time when the Korean society is faced with ageing population and low birth rates, and I hope this program will significantly contribute to the development of women workforce.”
 
The signing ceremony was followed by the entrance ceremony of the “4th Citi-KOSBI women-owned enterprise academy.” The program catered to women SME business women will last during April 7 - Jul 14 period at KOSBI office located in Yoido. In this 14-week course, 22 subjects including basics (i.e. leadership, culture management, marketing, liberal arts) and advanced classes (i.e. global competence, innovation, change management, human networking, financial management) are to be provided.

Website: http://www.citibank.co.kr

This is a news release distributed by Korea Newswire on behalf of this company.