Forum on Korean free trade agreement set for Friday at City Hall

A panel of industry representatives and trade experts, including a high-ranking official with the State Department, will discuss the impact of the Korean Free Trade Agreement on Washington state businesses at City Hall on Friday. The lunch event, Co-hosted by the Bellevue Office of Economic Development and the World Trade Council, will be 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A panel of industry representatives and trade experts, including a high-ranking official with the State Department, will discuss the impact of the Korean Free Trade Agreement on Washington state businesses at City Hall on Friday.

The lunch event, Co-hosted by the Bellevue Office of Economic Development and the World Trade Council, will be 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If approved, The U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement would eliminate tariffs on most industrial and consumer goods exported to South Korea within five years. South Korea was Washington’s fourth-largest export market, with sales of nearly $1.9 billion from diverse products including airplanes, software, architecture, cherries, potatoes and wine.

Panel speakers will include:

• William E. Craft, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary, Trade Policy and Programs, U.S. Department of State

• The Honorable Young-wan Song, Korean Consulate General

• Mike Nunes, Business Development and Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes

• Robert Hamilton, Governor’s Advisor for Trade Policy

• Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Seattle

• Brian Thompson, Sales Manager, Anderson Hay & Grain Co., Inc.

Registration – Members and students: $25, non-members: $40. Parking is free, but limited, with validation obtained at the City Hall Service First desk.