K-water Signs ESG Support Agreement with Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership, Expands Tailored Assistance

[Financial News] Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) announced on the 30th that it has signed an agreement with the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership to support ESG initiatives for small and medium-sized enterprises. The corporation will continue to strengthen the practical ESG management capabilities of its partner SMEs.
Under this agreement, K-water will be responsible for contributing to the mutual cooperation fund, recruiting and selecting participating companies, and developing ESG competency enhancement and incentive plans. The Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership will handle ESG indicator development, education, on-site consulting, and the issuance of ESG Excellence Certificates.
Since 2022, K-water has worked with the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership to help 62 SMEs establish ESG management systems, with 60 of them obtaining ESG Excellence Certificates. These companies are eligible for various benefits, including preferential loan rates from financial institutions such as Shinhan Bank, IBK, KB Kookmin Bank, KEB Hana Bank, and Kyongnam Bank, participation in export support programs by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and access to technology support projects by the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER).
Starting this year, the support system has been improved to introduce a three-stage customized support structure based on each SME's ESG level. A new program has also been established to help companies obtain Green Business Benchmark (GBB) certification, which is highly useful for overseas expansion, including in the United States. Through these efforts, K-water aims to enhance global competitiveness and promote the spread of ESG management.
This year, K-water will implement the program for a total of 20 SMEs, aiming to expand ESG capabilities across the sector and support the sustainable growth and competitiveness of the domestic water industry ecosystem.
An Jeongho, Head of Green Infrastructure at K-water, stated, "As a specialized water management institution, we will create an ESG win-win model that enhances global competitiveness by providing tailored support reflecting the current status and needs of SMEs."
en1302@fnnews.com Jang In-seo Reporter