SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC) is hosting its first delegation to South Korea Aug. 16 through 26, led by the new Chair of GSEC’s Board of Directors, UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May. The regional contingency is looking forward to connecting in-person with South Korean companies already investing in the Greater Sacramento region in the semiconductor and life science industries such as Samsung, which recently opened Samsung Semiconductor in Folsom, SK hynix the parent company of Solidigm, and SK bioscience, related to AMPAC Fine Chemicals, which is headquartered in Rancho Cordova.

Last November, the Greater Sacramento Economic Council unveiled its new international initiative, ‘Globalizing Greater Sacramento’ to expand international business opportunities and enhance direct air services to the Greater Sacramento region. The primary objective of this trip will be to further relationships with Korean companies that have already invested in our region and share the region’s advancements in semiconductors and life science with additional companies and institutions.

“The investments AMPAC Fine Chemicals, Solidigm and Samsung made in our region have been transformational for our global reputation. We are now among the most innovative markets in the U.S. for semiconductors, with nine global industry leaders operating in our region. This trip to South Korea is critical to growing our relationships with the companies that are already here and building new ones with other emerging Korean companies,” explained Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council.

These meetings will also serve as an opportunity to showcase the soon-to-be-completed Aggie Square at UC Davis, where leading-edge UC Davis research, innovative companies and startups, and talent from across our community will come together to create a thriving new Sacramento innovation district in 2025.

“Aggie Square is a collaborative knowledge community designed to support whole ecosystems in emerging areas of technology and life science,” said Chancellor May. “With the ongoing expansion of the Korean life science industry, Aggie Square serves as a gateway for Korean companies to establish a strong opportunity to grow in the U.S. market and connect with UC Davis’s extensive research network.”

The delegation of 18 local leaders will build on existing relationships with companies already in the region and forge new ones to bring further investment and jobs into Greater Sacramento. The delegation includes several executives with UC Davis as well as executives and elected officials from SMUD, City of Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County, City of Folsom, Los Rios Community College District, Wexford Science + Technology and PRIDE Industries, as well as three leaders from the Greater Sacramento Economic Council.

This is the second international delegation trip the Greater Sacramento Economic Council has made this year. In February, it led a group of 20 local leaders to Germany and met with global leadership at Bosch, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Siemens Mobility, SMA Solar and more.

Key outcomes of that trip included:

Four companies are in active conversation to open operations in the region and another nine considering the region.

Progress was made toward securing a direct flight from Sacramento to Germany.

Partnerships to support Bosch in training and hiring for its new operations in Roseville, including bringing nine regional organizations across higher education, workforce and industry to submit a grant application through CHIPs.

Act funding for a new training program.

Deepening relationships and partnerships between high education institutions that joined the trip, including Sacramento State and UC Davis.

Greater Sacramento Economic Council looks forward to another successful delegation trip, building bridges and creating opportunities for the Greater Sacramento region on the global stage.

About the Greater Sacramento Economic Council

The Greater Sacramento Economic Council is the catalyst for innovative growth strategies in the Capital Region of California. The organization spearheads community-led direction to retain, attract, grow and scale tradable sectors, develop advanced industries and create jobs and investment throughout a six-county region. Greater Sacramento represents a collaboration between local and state governments, market leaders, influencers and stakeholders, with the sole mission of driving inclusive economic growth. The Greater Sacramento region was founded on discovery, built on leadership and fueled by innovation.

About UC Davis Aggie Square

Aggie Square will bring together university research and teaching, industry and the community to create opportunities across the region. It will be home to research programs, private industry partners, classrooms, student housing and public-facing programs that engage local communities and entrepreneurs. It’s projected to inject $5 billion annually into the regional economy and support 25,000 jobs. The first buildings are expected to be completed in 2025.