The president-designate of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will visit South Korea this week to help lay the groundwork for closer ties between Seoul and the multilateral institution, the government said Monday.

Jin Liqun is scheduled to visit Seoul on Tuesday and Wednesday for meetings with government policymakers and leading businessmen as the Beijing-based multilateral development bank gets ready to start funding infrastructure projects, the finance ministry said.

Jin's trip is his first as president-designate. He is also expected to visit other AIIB members in the coming weeks, which is expected to generate interest among businesses and financial institutions around the world.

Earlier this year, South Korea and some 60 countries signed the Articles of Agreement, laying the foundation of the infrastructure bank. Asia's fourth-largest economy has secured the fifth-largest stake in the AIIB after China, India, Russia and Germany. Seoul has pledged to contribute $750 million in paid-in capital over the next five years.

The ministry said Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan is expected to hold talks with Jin late Tuesday.

"At the meeting, Choi will point out to the AIIB official that South Korean companies and financial institutions can work closely with the bank on future projects," it said. "The top economic policymaker can also ask Jin to allow South Koreans to play a greater role in the everyday operations of the AIIB."

The ministry said Jin is expected to highlight the significance of the AIIB's creation and differences with existing multilateral organizations.

Jin, meanwhile, is expected to hold a press conference Wednesday morning at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul after holding talks with local businessmen earlier in the day. (Yonhap)