Korea’s Green Industries Will Be in Spotlight at ‘KOREA EXPO 2009′ at Chicago’s Navy Pier Amongst 1,000 Buyers and 50,000 Attendees

Leading green products displays and seminar on Korea’s renewable energy industry will be highlighted by Korean government’s commitment to grow the nation’s green industries at the largest business event in North America dedicated to fostering Korea-U.S. business partnership

CHICAGO, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Organized by KOTRA (Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency), “KOREA EXPO 2009″ at Chicago’s Navy Pier on September 10-12, 2009 will showcase Korea’s rising green industries and technologies presenting unparalleled opportunities of relationship building, learning, and networking for business leaders in green industries. 15 Korean exhibitors including CT&T, Unison, KD Solar and YS Thermtech will display Korea’s leading products and technologies in green industries featuring part & components for solar and wind energy and finished products such as electric cars. KOREA-U.S. Business Partnership Forum will offer presentations on business opportunities in Korea’s renewable energy industry to enhance participants’ global business strategies in solar and wind energy.

Earlier this year, Korean government announced its plans to invest 2% of annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) totaling at $84 billion USD over the next five years to grow as the world’s seventh largest green industries by 2020. The Korean government is encouraging Korean companies to partner with U.S. businesses in conjunction with the Obama administration’s stimulus plans focusing on green industries. “Such partnership can generate synergy in capturing world’s market share in targeted areas of green industries such as renewable energy, LEDs (light-emitting diodes), smart power grids and hybrid cars, ” commented Trade Commissioner of KOTRA’s Chicago Korea Business Center Jongtae Chung. He added, “Attendees can benefit from pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings to establish meaningful business relationships with represented Korean companies.”

Being the 12th largest economy in the world, Korea is the 7th largest trading partner for the U.S. with trade volume reaching $80 billion in 2008. The foreign direct investment between two countries totaled at $6 billion in 2008. Korea and the U.S. reached KORUS Free Trade Agreement on June 30, 2007 which is currently awaiting ratification.

“KOREA EXPO 2009″ (September 10-12) will be the largest showcase in North America of Korean technology-savvy products accompanied by business meetings, conferences, and cultural festivities. The Exhibition (September 10-12) will showcase cutting edge technologies and innovative products from over 70 leading Korean companies. KOTRA’s 10 North American Korea Business Centers have invited over 1000 buyers to meet with Korean exhibitors. The Korea-U.S. Business Partnership Forum (September 10) will be comprised of sessions on business opportunities in Korea in the era of economic challenges and presentations by global corporate leaders on effective strategies for entering East Asian market through Korea. 200 business leaders from global companies will be attending the forum. Welcoming Dinner Reception (September 10) will be attended by over 600 guests among participating companies, industry associations, and government featuring additional networking opportunities to build valuable relationships with industry leaders from both countries as well as cultural entertainments. Overall, the three-day event is expected to draw 50,000 general visitors.

• Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley: “This event showcases the achievements and opportunities that Korean business, products and technology offer the rest of the world.”
  

Attendance is Free. Pre-registration is required for one-on-one meetings and business forum. Qualifying participants will be eligible for travel incentives. For additional information, visit www.kotrachicago.com, or contact Sandy Lee at sandylee@kotrachicago.com

KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) (www.kotra.or.kr) is a government-funded organization headquartered in Seoul, Korea established to promote trade and investment between Korea and the World. In order to accomplish this mission, KOTRA utilizes its network of over 90 Korea Business Centers around the globe to execute market research, create new opportunities through business match-making, and provide one-stop investment consulting services to potential investors. KOREA EXPO 2009 is organized by KOTRA’s Korea Business Center in Chicago.

    Media Contacts:

    KOTRA Chicago
    www.kotrachicago.com

    Sandy Lee
    sandylee@kotrachicago.com
    Phone: 312.388.4323
    Fax: 312.644.4879

SOURCE KOTRA Chicago