"KOREA EXPO 2009" Celebrates Grand Opening of the First and Largest Showcase in North America of Korean Technology-Savvy Products at Chicago's Navy Pier

Over 1,000 buyers and 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the three-day event composed of trade show, business forum, and cultural entertainment demonstrating Korea's best products, business opportunities, and entertainment.

CHICAGO, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Organized by KOTRA (Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency), "KOREA EXPO 2009" (September 10-12, 2009) at Chicago's Navy Pier commenced with a grand opening ceremony attended by global business leaders and government officials from Korea and the U.S. Sponsored by the Korean government as part of economic stimulus plans, the three-day event is designed to foster Korea - U.S. business relationship, creating synergy in tackling through the global economic recession.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090910/DC73846-a)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090910/DC73846-b)

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley: "I welcome everyone attending KOREA EXPO 2009. By promoting a positive environment for further growth in transpacific trade and investment, we can continue to expand and build upon the productive partnership between the United States and Korea."

The Exhibition (September 10-12) will feature Korea's leading manufacturers in automotive, construction, information technologies, medical equipment, green energy and related technologies, and consumer products. Participants will include 72 companies such as Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Heavy Equipment, and LS Cable. "Premium Korea" section will display Korea's world-class high tech products such as electric cars, robots, LCDs, as well as cultural items. Over 1,000 buyers have been invited by KOTRA's 10 North American Korea Business Center. Among confirmed participants are global companies in respective industry including buyers from Caterpillar, Ford, Navistar and Clipper.

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. Participants will be able to learn business strategies to effectively develop business in Asia and to network with relevant businessmen and government officials. Presenters include business executives from Hyundai Construction Equipment, 3M, Parker Hannifin, YS Thermatech and Unison.

Welcoming Dinner Reception (September 10), to open with welcome speech by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, 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.

Outdoor Cultural Shows (September 11-12) will present Korean folk music, dance, and Tae Kwon Do demonstration to attract general audience.

President & CEO of KOTRA Hwan Eik Cho remarked, "KOTRA has organized KOREA EXPO 2009 so that businesses can sit together to discuss trade and investment opportunities that can succeed in these challenging times. We have high expectations for new business deals and relationships to be created through this event."

Being the 12th largest economy in the world, Korea boasts world's top industries in shipbuilding, semiconductors, automobiles, petrochemicals and wireless equipments. 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.

Earlier this year, Korean government announced it will invest $100 billion dollars in alternative energy by 2030 to boost the use of clean energy. 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.

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.

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