ADB CAREC CSPPF-KDI GKEDC
「Korea Outreach and Business Engagement Seminar」

 

On July 9, 2026, the KDI Global Knowledge Exchange and Development Center (GKEDC), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), hosted the Korea Outreach and Business Engagement Seminar.

Held at the GKEDC in Seoul, the seminar was organized to introduce Korean companies and relevant organizations to the CAREC Climate and Sustainability Project Preparatory Fund (CSPPF)*, and to promote Korean companies' overseas business expansion.
* The CSPPF, an ADB-managed multi-donor trust fund, was established to support the identification and preparation of climate projects across the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region, with the Government of the Republic of Korea serving as a Founding Financing Partner.

The seminar highlighted pathways for Korean companies to engage in ADB-financed procurement and projects while showcasing their technological expertise and experience in Central Asia, providing a platform to foster future partnerships and collaboration. Approximately 100 participants attended the seminar both in person and online, including representatives from ADB's Central and West Asia Department and Sectors Department, as well as Korean public institutions and private companies.


[Opening Ceremony]

In his opening remarks, Mr. Asad Aleem, Regional Head for Central and West Asia Department, ADB, expressed his hope that the seminar would expand Korean companies' participation in CAREC projects and ADB-financed operations while fostering stronger partnerships among Korea, ADB, and CAREC member countries.

In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Sohee Gwag, Director of the International Financial Institutions Division, Ministry of Finance and Economy, emphasized that the Korean government would continue supporting Korean companies' participation in CAREC development projects and overseas expansion through close cooperation with ADB.

In his congratulatory remarks, Dr. Dong Soo Kang, Executive Director of GKEDC, KDI, reaffirmed GKEDC's commitment to strengthening practical cooperation among multilateral development banks (MDBs), governments, and the private sector to promote sustainable development in the CAREC region.


[Plenary Session] ADB Projects and Procurement Procedures

During the morning sessions, ADB presented an overview of ongoing initiatives in the CAREC region and the CSPPF, followed by presentations on priority project pipelines and ADB procurement procedures.

Sector specialists in ▲transport, ▲energy, and ▲Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development (AFNR) highlighted investment demand and project priorities in their respective sectors while outlining business opportunities for Korean companies.

The following session featured the ADB-Korea Climate Technology Hub (K-Hub), which showcased approaches for connecting climate technologies with business opportunities. GKEDC also presented its achievements in facilitating Korean companies' overseas expansion and business development through partnerships with MDBs.

Participants, both on-site and online, engaged in active discussions on CSPPF-supported initiatives, project development priorities, and participation in ADB-financed projects, exploring concrete avenues for future collaboration.


[Thematic Session] Trends in Korea-CAREC Cooperation

The afternoon thematic sessions featured presentations and discussions highlighting Korean companies' experience in Central Asia and collaboration with MDBs.

In the transport session, the ▲Korea National Railway and ▲DOHWA Engineering shared case studies on railway cooperation and road infrastructure development, respectively.

In the energy session, ▲Doosan Enerbility and the ▲Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) presented their experience in overseas plant construction projects and smart grid technologies.

In the AFNR session, ▲Firmmit and the ▲Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) introduced cooperation projects in Central Asia involving smart agriculture and advanced water resource management technologies.

The seminar provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen networks between ADB and Korean public and private sector stakeholders while enhancing participants' understanding of climate and sustainability projects across the CAREC region. The event also demonstrated the strong potential to connect Korea's technological expertise and practical experience with international development projects, laying the foundation for expanded joint project development and stronger public-private collaboration in the CAREC member countries.

 Written by Yena Ko, Senior Research Associate, Global Knowledge Cooperation Team 2, GKEDC, kyn@kdi.re.kr