We’ve wrapped up a trade and investment project for the US state of Oregon in South Korea and Japan – supporting Oregon businesses as they pursue export opportunities and showcasing the state as a prime destination for international investment.
Our work formed part of a wider State of Oregon Asia trade mission to strengthen economic and political ties with the businesses and governments of Korea and Japan.
The mission was led by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (pictured above with Hachiro Nitta, Governor of Japan's Toyama Prefecture), whose delegation included representatives from Business Oregon, the Port of Portland, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Travel Oregon and several economic development organisations.
They were joined by a diverse group of small businesses from across the state, all keen to explore export opportunities in agriculture and advanced technology in the two Asian markets.
Our team in Seoul arranged a busy schedule of business matching meetings for the delegation with prospective customers, distributors and partners – several of which are developing into promising leads.
The Korea mission also included a visit to LG Science Park, and the Governor’s delegation met the Prime Minister of Korea, Kim Min-seok, to discuss business collaboration opportunities.
In Japan, our team hosted a market briefing for the delegates to highlight sectors of greatest opportunity and explain the cultural norms of doing business in the country.
We also organised an FDI roundtable to encourage Japanese corporations to consider Oregon as a compelling business location, together with a networking event for existing investors.
And we arranged for the delegation to visit key sites in the country, including the Japan Biodesign programme at the University of Tokyo, the Kanagawa Prefectural Office – a historic administrative HQ in Yokohama – and Tokyo Innovation Base, a startup campus and business networking hub.
Our Tokyo team also coordinated a series of meetings for Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson and, together with the US Embassy in Tokyo, organised a Friends of Oregon reception which welcomed more than 200 guests.
Governor Kotek said: “Japan and Korea are two of Oregon’s top 10 export markets, with just over $2.5 billion in trade last year. We leveraged this opportunity to strengthen our relationships for continued prosperity and pushed critical conversations forward – including making progress in efforts to ease market restrictions on agricultural products and regain a nonstop flight to Asia.”
“This mission demonstrated the strength of Oregon’s global partnerships and the opportunities for our businesses abroad,” said Sophorn Cheang, Director of Business Oregon. “By connecting Oregon companies with international customers and investors, we are not only opening doors for exports but also positioning Oregon as a premier destination for foreign investment. These relationships are vital to sustaining long-term economic growth and ensuring Oregon remains competitive in the global marketplace.”
She added: “Our collaboration with Intralink has been instrumental in advancing these efforts, particularly in key markets across Asia, where its on-the-ground expertise and strategic support have helped Oregon businesses navigate complex international landscapes and seize new opportunities.”
To discuss how we could support your organisation’s overseas trade or investment work, please contact Micah Hostetter at micah.hostetter@intralinkgroup.com
