TMCnet News
Fairfax County Becomes Only U.S. County to Establish Marketing Operation in South Korea; Overseas Market Will Be Fifth for FCEDAFAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. --(Business Wire)-- Feb. 18, 2005 -- The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) today announced it will hire a marketing representative in Seoul, South Korea, to promote Fairfax County as a location for Korean companies interested in expanding to the United States. Fairfax is the only U.S. county to set up investment marketing operations in the Republic of Korea. The representative in Korea will be the fifth in-country contractor working for the FCEDA around the world. The FCEDA announced the initiative at a press briefing at the offices of Fairfax County Supervisor Penelope A. Gross (Mason District). Korean companies are now the largest contingent of foreign-owned companies in Fairfax County and the FCEDA is seeking to increase awareness of Fairfax County in Korea. Fifty-one Korean companies, mostly technology companies, already are located in Fairfax County and so is Korea Business Development Center, a Korean government initiative. Many Korean-owned firms can take advantage of the opportunities offered by Fairfax County's technology community of 4,700 companies, the proximity of the U.S. federal government and the numerous contractors that support it, and air service between Seoul and Washington Dulles International Airport. The selection process for the Korean representative is underway. The representative should be on the job by April 1. "We have been visiting Korea on marketing missions for many years, but now we will establish a Korean marketing office in Seoul run by an experienced Korean business executive to accelerate that effort," said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the FCEDA. "The technology industry in particular in South Korea is expanding rapidly and Fairfax County will be the location of choice when they are looking to expand their operations into the U.S." 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, minutes from Washington, D.C., offers proximity to the federal government and a large technology community, 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 also maintains overseas offices in London, Frankfurt, Tel Aviv and Bangalore. |
