[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Citibank Korea (CEO Ha Yung-Ku, www.citibank.co.kr) signed an agreement for the “2013 Women-Owned Enterprise Competitiveness Enhancement Program”with Korea Small Business Institute (“KOSBI”, www.kosbi.re.kr) and contributed 280 million won (260,000 USD) in sponsorship funds. At the signing ceremony held at the Grand Meeting Room, 3rd fl., of SME DMC Tower in Sangam-dong on Apr. 10, 2013, approximately 120 people participated including Ha, Yung-ku, CEO of Citibank Korea, Kim, Dong-sun, Chairperson of KOSBI, Lee, Young- hee, Chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Small and Medium Enterprise, involved officers, and women enterpreneurs attending Women Enterprise Academy (WEA).

The program which marks the 6th holding this year was developed in 2007 and was made available in 2008 under the sponsorship of Citi Foundation with the goal of identifying role models for women-led SMEs and enhancing their competitiveness through training and business networks. The fund is to be used for Citi-KOSBI Women Enterprise Academy, Citi-KOSBI Women Entrepreneurs Award, and networking between women business owners and college students aspiring to run startups at home and abroad.

“I expect the participants will contribute to developing small and medium-sized companies to create jobs and ultimately become the leaders of SMEs which will lead the Korean economy by leveraging the knowledge and network that they’ve earned through this program,” said Ha, Yung-ku, CEO of Citibank Korea. Kim, Dong-sun, KOSBI chairperson also expressed his expectation for the program saying, “I hope those who participated in the course this year will make good use of the program to expand the business network, enhance corporate performance thereby having a global company led by women CEO come into the world.”