Small and medium-sized business owners can explore the growth potential of exporting their goods and services, especially in the South Korean market, at a conference week month hosted by the Greater Seattle Partners organization, in partnership with the Port of Seattle, Washington State Department of Commerce and e-commerce company Coupang.
“South Korea consistently ranks as Greater Seattle’s top three trading (partners) for exports and imports with total trade exceeding $80 billion between us in the past 10 years,” Greater Seattle Partners CEO and President Brian Surratt said. “This long-standing mutually beneficial relationship provides a strong foundation for more of our small to medium-sized companies to increase their exports to South Korea, while also diversifying risk and growing faster.”
Aimed at entrepreneurs who already send goods to Korea and want to grow that business or those who want to start exporting to that market, the event is expected to have information on market opportunities, accessing capital and other resources.
“This group of partners has identified a unique opportunity to make a concerted effort to reach out to a specific community, the Korean diaspora in the U.S., to connect these small businesses to export opportunities in South Korea, one of the most dynamic economies of the Pacific Rim,” Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho said. “Through my own personal experience, I know the potential of this strategy, and the port is working to explore every avenue to connect small businesses to the resources and innovative strategies they need to reach their full potential.”
The Small Business Growth and Resiliency Through Export Opportunities in U.S.-Korea Trade is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the Bell Harbor Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way. Also, a pre-conference reception is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way.
Both events are free, but registration is required: Register for the Reception and Register for the Conference.