The Korea SMEs Association has partnered with the city of Garden Grove, California, to establish a business model aimed at assisting Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in entering the U.S. market.
On August 27, local time, the Korea SMEs Association announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Garden Grove at the city’s police department to support the entry of Korean SMEs into the U.S. market through the revitalization of the Korean business district.
Garden Grove, located in Orange County, is home to over 100,000 Korean residents, accounting for 42% of the city’s total population. The city is also near major tourist attractions like Disneyland, contributing to a vibrant local economy centered around food, dining, and tourism.
The Korea SMEs Association recognized the strengths of Garden Grove’s Korean business community and its supportive industrial base for food, fashion, and daily goods. This partnership marks the first memorandum of understanding between the association and a U.S. city government, focusing on mutual cooperation in areas such as supporting Korean SMEs in the U.S. market, promoting the Korean business district in Garden Grove, and establishing business networks between the two organizations.
Following the agreement, the Korea SMEs Association presented a plaque declaring Garden Grove as a 'K-Food & K-Goods Friendly City' in appreciation of the city’s efforts to promote the K-Food industry and to express its commitment to future collaboration.
Kim Ki-moon, president of the Korea SMEs Association, proposed the establishment of a 'Korea Desk' in Garden Grove to support SMEs looking to expand across California and the U.S. He also requested the creation of a space for showcasing and selling outstanding SME products and suggested hosting a 'Korean Product Exhibition' at the end of the year, allowing local consumers to experience a variety of Korean products firsthand.
Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Clopfenstein responded positively to the Korea SMEs Association's proposal, stating, 'Utilizing the strengths of the Korean community in our city is a great idea to inject new vitality into the local economy.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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