Citi-KOSBI Agreement signing ceremony to support 2nd women-owned business competitiveness strengthening program
The program was envisioned to set the foundation for addressing constraints to the growth of the local economy, caused by a low birth rate and the lack of manpower by raising efficiency in using the female labor force, to develop role models of women-owned businesses and to improve the competitiveness of women-owned companies through continuous education.
In the first year of the program, it promoted successful cases of women-owned businesses and conducted forums on strengthening the competitiveness of women-owned businesses and identify promising women-owned companies. ‘Citi-KOSBI Women Entrepreneur Awards’ was established to support the set-up of programs for women-owned companies, presenting Dason an entrepreneurship award; Senoco an eco-friendly management award; Hanbiron a human resource management award; and Dowgene a social contribution management award.
In the 2nd year, this year, it will operate two ‘Women-owned Business Academy’ sessions targeting 100 companies in order to meet women entrepreneurs’ demand for customized education and training to improve overseas competitiveness based on the results of ‘survey of demand for executing women-owned business support programs, conducted by KOSBI in 2008. New women-owned businesses with ample potential and especially small-sized ones with a short history and lack of access to education will be selected with priority as support targets to receive the education and training programs.
Participants are eligible to access professional education programs related to overseas entry strategies, CEO leadership, M&A, new business development, crisis management, tax and law and also to participate in opportunities to exchange information with excellent CEOs and local and foreign-related institutions and to build networks. Executives and employees of Citibank Korea will serve as counselors for executing the programs or present lectures as volunteers on accounting and finance in the women-owned business academy.
Furthermore, coupled with the academy, the 2nd Women Entrepreneur awards will identify and promote promising women-owned companies that contribute to the development of society and economic growth and seek to raise overseas competitiveness by establishing networks between local and foreign women-owned small businesses.
Citibank Korea CEO Ha Yung-ku said that Citibank continues to organize various support programs for small-sized companies that contribute to increased opportunities for underprivileged individuals and women to participate in society and to creating jobs. Support for women-owned companies is significant in that it also contributes to raising the employment rate of women employees, beyond consideration of underprivileged individuals.
Hong-geon Choe, president of Korea Small Business Institute, mentioned that it is essential to utilize women employees and to reinforce support for women-owned businesses at a time when Korean women’s participation in economic activities is the lowest among OECD member countries despite women’s high education levels. Baby-boomers are soon to retire in massive numbers and the national growth potential is feared to weaken due to low birth rates; this program will stimulate the growth of the Korean economy over the long-term.
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Citibank Korea
Citibank had opened its first branch in Korea in 1967, and was born newly as Citibank Korea Inc. (CKI) through integration with KorAm Bank in 2004. CKI serves customers at 231 branches (as of end of September 2008) in Korea by providing the first class financial products and services based on the various products and know-how of Citi with global network including more than 100 years of history and 200 million customers in more than 100 countries. CKI delivers new financial world to the customers through development of innovative financial products and services, encompassing from corporate and investment banking to consumer banking, private banking, and wealth management. Furthermore, Citibank Korea Inc., as a responsible corporate citizen, conducts diverse community activities in the areas of financial education, next generation education, woman, diversity, community, and environment consistently in corporation with sound non-profit organizations.
Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation is committed to enhancing economic opportunities for underserved individuals and families in the communities where we work throughout the world. Globally, the Citi Foundation is focusing its giving on Microfinance and Microentrepreneurship, which helps individuals become economically self-sufficient; Small and Growing Businesses, leading to economic expansion and job creation; Education, which prepares young people for personal and professional success; Financial Education, which helps individuals make informed financial decisions; and the Environment with a focus on sustainable enterprises that generate jobs and stimulate economic growth while preserving the environment. In the U.S. and Canada, the Citi Foundation supports Community Development programs that help build and revitalize neighborhoods and Education programs that prepare students for college and careers. Additional information can be found at http://www.citigroupfoundation.com/.
Korea Small Business Institute
Korea Small Business Institute is the best domestic research institute for SMEs, established in 1993 to take the initiative in upgrading Korean SMEs to the level of those in advanced countries and improving competitiveness. The organization has been executing research and projects to help the strengthen competitiveness of women-owned small businesses and is currently conducting management strategy consulting and education-related programs for women entrepreneurs.
웹사이트: http://www.citibank.co.kr
연락처
Shin, Hyeon Jeong
Communication Dept.
Citibank Korea Inc.
82-2-3455-2330
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2010년 8월 15일 10:43
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2010년 1월 20일 10:26