UW alumni in South Korea will spread the word on opportunities in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin alumni living in South Korea will promote Wisconsin as a good place to do business and encourage Korean investment in the state under a new agreement to be signed Thursday with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC).

Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, traveled to Seoul this week to sign the memorandum of understanding with the Wisconsin Alumni Association in Korea (WAAK). She will also be meeting with the South Korean leaders of Wisconsin companies and working with the alumni association on future possible investment opportunities in Wisconsin.

Under the agreement, WAAK members will promote Wisconsin as a destination for South Korean businesses and investors as well as a good choice for South Korean students. Working together, WEDC and WAAK will also provide opportunities for Wisconsin businesses to connect with partners and customers in South Korea and for South Korean businesses to connect with partners and customers in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin companies exported more than $653 million in products to South Korea in 2022 — an increase of 14.5% over 2021. Hughes led a WEDC trade venture to South Korea in September 2022 to help connect Wisconsin companies with potential export partners.