AI·Carbon Neutrality carries $3.5 billion bonds... Export-Import Bank opens a new chapter in policy-based finance

The Export-Import Bank of Korea successfully issued a total of USD 3.5 billion in foreign exchange bonds (global bonds), becoming the first case of the government’s artificial intelligence industry transformation policy officially implemented in the financial market. At the same time, by strengthening investment in the environmental protection sector, it once again demonstrates its status as a policy financial institution.

This issuance of global bonds includes three types. The most notable is the USD 500 million 10-year bond. This bond is the first in the country to explicitly specify the policy goal of “supporting artificial intelligence (AI) transformation” at the time of issuance. The Export-Import Bank stated that it has explained the Korean government’s direction for cultivating the AI industry to global investors and confirmed related investment demand to attract funds. This move is significant, marking that policy finance has gone beyond simple financing and is now integrated with medium- and long-term industrial strategies.

Another bond worth USD 1.25 billion is a 3-year green bond. It was issued to fund decarbonization projects such as greenhouse gas reduction and expansion of renewable energy. In the international financial market, such bonds are financial instruments representing carbon neutrality and sustainable investment, especially attracting the attention of European institutional investors. Analysts believe that the Export-Import Bank aims to stably obtain the funds needed to fulfill policies related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG).

With an overall issuance scale of USD 3.5 billion, excluding the USD 4 billion foreign exchange bond issued by the government in a single issuance in 1998, it is one of the largest single-institution issuances in the country. Notably, its scale matches the global bonds of the same level issued by the Export-Import Bank in 2023. It is reported that prior to this issuance, the bank held briefings for major institutional investors such as central banks and international organizations, and shared its financing plan for 2026 in advance, demonstrating thorough preparation.

Some comments point out that, despite high market uncertainty, achieving such a large-scale foreign exchange financing proves that the momentum of domestic economic recovery and market trust in government policies remain effective. In a market environment characterized by geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in major countries’ interest rate policies, the Export-Import Bank successfully completed its first large bond issuance of the new year. This move is interpreted as a further confirmation of the competitiveness of domestic “Korea bonds” (foreign exchange bonds issued by Korea).

This trend may become the foundation for domestic policy financial institutions to actively invest in structural reforms such as industrial transformation, digitalization, and carbon neutrality in the future. Moreover, with an increase in policy-linked bond issuances targeting overseas investors, it is expected not only to facilitate financing but also to promote international understanding and cooperation on Korea’s national issues.