Partnership Gwinnett — the county’s community and economic development initiative housed in the Gwinnett Chamber — works collectively with businesses, government, education and community leaders to support job growth and economic and community development. A key component of this initiative is the design and implementation of an aggressive, multi-faceted, international business development program.
Partnership Gwinnett formed the Gwinnett Global Business Council to increase direct foreign investment in metro Atlanta and to support the recruitment and expansion of internationally based companies. Today, the council supports more than 500 international companies in Gwinnett County.
Globally recognized for best practices by the International Economic Development Council, Gwinnett is an exemplary location for international companies looking to expand their global reach. The county is home to 575 international businesses representing more than 40 countries. Of these businesses, more than 20 percent have Asian roots.
The goal of Partnership Gwinnett’s efforts is simple: Increase foreign investment in Gwinnett County while seeking opportunities for existing industries to expand. Developing relationships with partners in South Korea not only provides international business opportunities, but leverages two thriving economies to support economic stability.
In January 2008, the former mayor and delegates from the Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea, visited Gwinnett. This successful visit led to the signing in June 2009 of a sister-community agreement involving the Gwinnett County Commission, Gwinnett Chamber and Gangnam.
Global business development is all about establishing and nurturing relationships. The sister-community agreement with Gangnam means Gwinnett now has a direct connection through which the chamber can offer business-to-business trade and investment opportunities. This union enables county businesses to expand their global industries and network to South Korea, the 13th-largest economy in the world.
This spring, the Gwinnett Chamber will travel to South Korea, providing business networking opportunities through meetings, seminars and trade talks in some of that country’s most economically renowned communities. The trip, May 12-18, has three goals:
•Recruit, retain and expand companies in the county’s five target industries: advanced manufacturing, headquarters and professional services, health sciences and services, information technology solutions and supply chain management.
•Develop trade and business opportunities for existing Gwinnett, metro Atlanta and Georgia companies.
•Provide educational and cultural experiences for trip participants.
Gwinnett’s relationship with South Korea increases foreign direct investment and accelerates global business growth. The Gwinnett Chamber looks forward to continuing this relationship to create more opportunities for local business relationships in the global market.
Daniel J. Kaufman is president of the Gwinnett Chamber.
