First District Update_Jan 2020

OFFICE OF FOREIGN TRADE

OFT Meetings and Events:

 Met with KOTRA LA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) and Korean Finance Ministry Officials. KOTRA is a non-profit, government agency of Republic of Korea committed to promoting international trade and investment. The meeting focused on learning about Riverside County and how we evaluate customer service within the county’s agencies.  Met with KOTRA official John Paik and County Executive Office (Brooke Federico and Valerie Arce). This meeting was a follow up from the last visit by KOTRA and focused on learning more about the County of Riverside Board of Supervisors’ Customer Satisfaction Performance Policy, Policy Number A-49. Content discussed: principles governing customer satisfaction, customer satisfaction performance policy, County departments currently utilizing customer satisfaction system  On December 13, 2019 OFT participated in and helped organize a traditional Mexican Christmas event known as “Posada” at the Mexican Consulate. The event was in collaboration with Congressman Mark Takano’s Office and the Mexican Consulate. This community event focused on art and culture as well as opportunities to import textiles and art from Mexico.  Met with Steve Qin and members of Prime Investment to discuss opportunities to utilize Foreign Trade Zones. Prime Investment represents the Chinese company LONGi Solar which is looking to build a solar farm in Riverside County. The company is top 3 in their industry in China and is publicly traded. They are looking to import materials and equipment and would like to explore opportunities to locate to Riverside County and to potentially benefit from being in an FTZ.