'KOREA EXPO 2009' at Chicago's Navy Pier will be The Largest Showcase in North America of Korean Technology-Savvy Products Accompanied by Business Meetings, Conferences, and Cultural Festivities

Over 70 Korean exhibitors including Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Heavy Equipment, and LS Cable will display cutting edge technologies; KOREA-US Business Partnership Forum will bring global business leaders together to share business experiences and strategies for leveraging Korea for penetrating the East Asian market

CHICAGO, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Organized by KOTRA (Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency), "KOREA EXPO 2009" at Chicago's Navy Pier on September 10-12, 2009 will present unparalleled opportunities of relationship building, learning, and networking to enhance participants' global business strategies. Exhibition will showcase cutting edge technologies and innovative products from over 70 leading Korean companies. The Korea-U.S. Business Partnership Forum 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 the East Asian market through Korea.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley says, "This event showcases the achievements and opportunities that Korean business, products and technology offer the rest of the world."

The Exhibition (September 10-12) will feature Korea's leading manufacturers in automotive, construction, information technologies, medical equipment, green energy, and consumer products. Participants will include over 70 companies such as Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Heavy Equipment, and LS Cable. Registered attendees will be offered pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings to establish meaningful business relationships with represented Korean companies.

The Korea-U.S. Business Partnership Forum (September 10) will provide both educational and networking opportunities for global business leaders on strategies for leveraging Korea for penetrating East Asian market. Scheduled presentations cover topics on U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, China-Korea relationship and its implications on the U.S. Companies, a major Korean company's business strategy in North America, deciding factors for establishing R&D and manufacturing facilities in Korea, JV experience in Korea's manufacturing industry, M&A opportunities in Korean auto parts industry, and opportunities in Korea's green industry covering projects in solar and wind energy. Presenters include business executives from Hyundai Construction Equipment, 3M, Hydro, Parker Hannifin, YS Thermatech and Unison.

Welcoming Dinner Reception (September 10) will invite 600 guests from 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.

President & CEO of KOTRA Hwan Eik Cho remarked, "KOREA EXPO 2009 is designed to fulfill the rising demands for superior Korean products and to satisfy various business needs of the U.S. companies from diverse industries." He also added, "As a strategic partner, Korea offers a multitude of advantages including a strong manufacturing and R&D base, state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, highly skilled workforce, and well-established logistics capabilities."

Being the 12th largest economy in the world, Korea boasts world's top industries in shipbuilding, semiconductors, automobiles, petrochemicals and wireless equipments. The Korean government announced it will invest $100 billion dollars in alternative energy by 2030 to boost the use of clean energy. 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 will provide an extraordinary one-stop venue to review state-of-the-art products, develop relationships with new business partners, learn about global business trends and strategies, success stories, and get a glance at Korean culture.

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 Contact:
    KOTRA Chicago
    www.kotrachicago.com

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

SOURCE KOTRA Chicago