Dallas Regional Chamber

DALLAS (November 10, 2008)…The strong trade relationship between DFW and South Korea was evident during the 4th Annual Korea Tech Preview (KTP), organized by KOTRA, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, and co-sponsored by the Dallas Regional Chamber’s International Business Council on November 5 and 6 in Dallas, Texas.

KTP was an international showcase and venture fair demonstrating the latest consumer electronics and technologies from 37 Korean companies. A variety of activities provided participants the opportunity to network with South Korean executives to form strategic business linkages. KTP attracted 52 global buyers from Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and across the U.S. Over 250 buyers and 12 venture capitalists attended more than 350 one-on-one meetings during the event.

Luncheon forums focused on the future of consumer electronics and Korea’s IT business environment, while highlighting new technologies from Korea and the benefits of business partnership between the U.S. and Korea. Han Chul Lee, Executive Vice President of KOTRA from Seoul, Korea gave the welcoming address. Other speakers included executives from IBM, Samsung, Texas Instruments, LG, Burrill and Company, Ascend Marketing and the University of Texas at Dallas.

“In its fourth year running, the Korea Tech Preview was once again successful in opening the eyes of Korean executives about the strengths of the DFW region, helping to foster economic development for both countries,” said Steve Boecking, Vice President, Hillwood Development Corporation and advisor for the Chamber’s initiatives in South Korea. Boecking also met with Lee to discuss the strategic advantage DFW holds as a logistics hub and business center for Korean companies.

South Korea is currently DFW’s second largest trading partner. In 2007, trade between DFW and Korea totaled $4.6 billion U.S. dollars.

According to the Honorable Yoo Chin Nam, Mayor, City of Gumi, Korea has established itself as a world leader in developing high tech devices, and its cities have a number of incentives to attract foreign direct investment. Some of the major U.S. companies that have high tech offices in Korea include Exxon Mobil, LG Electronics and Samsung.

As part of its goals to facilitate trade between international countries and DFW, the Dallas Regional Chamber's International Business Council has hosted trade missions to and incoming delegations from South Korea to foster area businesses' growth internationally and to promote the Dallas/Fort Worth region.

KOTRA is the trade-investment promotion agency for the Republic of Korea and has over 95 offices in 70 different countries, with many U.S. locations including a Dallas office operating for over 30 years.

For questions or follow up on this event, contact Stephen Turner at stephen@kotradallas.com or 972-243-9300.

The Dallas Regional Chamber promotes prosperity through economic development, public policy and member engagement. For more information, visit www.dallaschamber.org.