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Contact: Alan Fogg, Director, Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600 (o) or 571-213-5065 (m)
Fairfax County EDA begins marketing operations in Seoul, South Korea
Overseas location is fifth for county;
Fairfax becomes member of U.S. state organization in Korea
Fairfax County, Virginia USA , June 3, 2005 -- The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority has opened an office in Seoul, South Korea, to build awareness of the county among Korean technology businesses that are considering expanding into the U.S. market.
Fairfax is the only U.S. county with a permanent investment representative in the Republic of Korea. Fairfax County also has been accepted as a member of the Association of American State Offices in Korea (ASOK), which was established in 1989 to promote the common interests of U.S. state offices in Korea and the American and Korean business communities.
Seoul is the fifth international location for the FCEDA. The others are in Bangalore, Frankfurt, London and Tel Aviv. No other U.S. county has five overseas representatives.
J.J. Huh of U.S. Asia will build awareness of Fairfax County to Korean firms considering expansion into the U.S. market. Ms. Huh has more than 10 years experience developing business connections between her native Korea and the U.S. She will educate companies on the benefits of conducting business in Fairfax County by highlighting the proximity to the federal government, Fairfax County’s top-rated public school system and quality of life that has attracted more than 35,000 Korean-American residents. Ms. Huh also will build relationships with business organizations throughout Korea.
“South Korea has a rapidly expanding technology economy with strengths that mirror Fairfax County’s strengths, and our large Korean-American population builds relationships between our county and Korea,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the FCEDA. “Having a representative based in Seoul will give us a consistent presence there and a better opportunity to capitalize on the opportunities to foster economic growth for Fairfax County.”
More than 50 Korean-based companies have operations in Fairfax County, up from only four in 2000. Business growth helps Fairfax County fund public services such as the nation’s top-rated public school systems that contribute to the quality of life. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to domestic and international markets through Washington Dulles International Airport and a well-educated workforce.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org) promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, and provides demographic and economic statistics. The FCEDA’s Capital Attraction Program links technology entrepreneurs with potential investors, and another program supports the growth of small and minority-owned companies. The FCEDA maintains overseas offices in Bangalore, Frankfurt, London, Seoul and Tel Aviv.
U.S. Asia Commercial Development Corporation is a private U.S. company established in 1987 that identifies and develops strategic relationships and investment opportunities in Asia and the U.S. U.S. Asia is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has representative offices in Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo.
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