Commerce Trade Official Leads Aerospace Trade Mission to Korea

12 U.S. Aerospace technology companies attend premier trade show in Korea.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Suresh Kumar, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Promotion and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, is leading a U.S. Department of Commerce Aerospace Executive Service Trade Mission to the Republic of Korea, October 17-21, 2011.  The mission aims to connect small -to medium-sized U.S. aerospace technology companies with prospective international partners in the region.

"The U.S. is one of Korea's largest trading partners while Korea represents the seventh largest market for U.S. exports, and American aerospace and defense technology is an important cornerstone to expanding our commercial relationship," said Kumar. "The U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement (KORUS) will be a 'win-win' for the U.S. and Korea, presenting increased partnering opportunities that will foster mutual economic growth. U.S. companies on the mission look forward to showcasing some of the latest and most innovative products and services to potential partners in the region."

The trade mission, which includes 12 U.S. companies, coincides with Seoul ADEX 2011—International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition, one of the top showcases for aerospace and defense companies around the world to market their products in eastern Asia.  Participating U.S. companies will meet with international agents and distributors as well as end-users in the region. Attendees of ADEX include Korean and other foreign officials, including government and corporate executives associated with the aerospace and defense market in eastern Asia.  

Korean defense modernization and military growth coupled with duty-free treatment for U.S. aerospace technology within three years of implementation of the KORUS agreement makes Korea a viable market. The Republic of Korea and East Asia as a whole is a real and emerging market for U.S. exporters of aerospace and defense products and services.  Korea imported $3 billion dollars in U.S. aerospace technology last year alone – a growth of over 50 percent since 2004.  

The following U.S. companies are participating in the Aerospace Executive Service Trade Mission:

Able Aerospace Services, Phoenix, AZ
CBOL, Chatsworth, CA
Dakota Air Parts Intl., Inc., Fargo, ND
Dillon Aero, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ
Helicopter Tech, Inc., King of Prussia, PA
Pan Am International Flight Academy, Miami, FL
Pelican, Torrance, CA
Robertson Fuel Systems, L.L.C., Tempe, AZ
SEKAI, La Mirada, CA
Tactical Communications Group, LLC, Tewksbury, MD
TW Metals, Inc., Birmingham, AL
Worldwide Aeros Corp., Montebello, CA

With offices in 108 U.S. cities and U.S. Embassies and Consulates in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service connects U.S. companies with international partners.  For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, visit www.export.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Commercial Service