Market Opportunities with South Korea

Jul 29, 2016

PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA - Recent visit by KITA and WTC Seoul highlights commercial and cultural opportunities with Philadelphia

Photo left: Wednesday, July 27, 2016. World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia and representatives from the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) and the Philadelphia Department of Commerce convene for an exchange on market opportunities.

Identifying Markets with South Korea
South Korea is an important Free Trade Agreement (FTA) market for companies in the Greater Philadelphia Region. As a fellow world trade center, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia is particularly pleased to work with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and World Trade Center Seoul in identifying best strategies to grow business for the companies collectively being served and expanding overall trade and investment for the Greater Philadelphia Region.

Regional Numbers​
New Jersey and Pennsylvania each rank in the top 12 for total U.S. exports to South Korea.

  • #5 New Jersey, $1.2B+
  • #11 Pennsylvania, $915M+

(Source: 2015 NAICS Total All Merchandise Exports to South Korea) 

Opportunities for Cooperation

  • Developing a program to connect the extensive health and health services/medical devices/life science sectors in the Greater Philadelphia Region with companies and organizations in South Korea. (This includes best strategies for connections and business matchmaking, including a potential business mission to South Korea - to align, possibly with the June visit of the Orchestra or October World Heritage Convention in Gyeongju - and encouraging companies to consider participating in medical and bio trade shows in South Korea.
  • Exploring collaboration and cooperation in technology – connecting with Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the University City Science Center.
  • September 20 -27 South Korea Mission to Washington, DC and Virginia: identifying potential meetings between area companies and trade mission participants.​​
  • Utilizing KITA’s electronic matchmaking system for the region’s importers.​​
  • ​​Visit of Philadelphia Orchestra to Seoul June 6-9, 2017 – fostering connection among and between KITA and Philadelphia's cultural talents.
  • ​The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) – exploring ways in which to increase awareness of the ease of moving goods through the Port for South Korean companies (and the easy access to large East Coast metropolitan populations), building on the successful record of Hyundai and Kia imports.

Have a trade question or interested in becoming a World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia member? Visit www.wtcphila.org or call +1 (215) 586-4240.

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