Austin Delegation Visits Gwangmyeong to Discuss Industrial and Cultural Exchange Cooperation

Introduction of Gwangmyeong Siheung Technovalley and Third New Town Development Plans

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 16th that it discussed ways to cooperate on industrial and cultural exchanges with a delegation from Austin, Texas, United States, which is currently visiting Korea on the 15th.

At the meeting during the visit of the Austin City delegation to Gwangmyeong City on the 15th, participants pledged cooperation between the two cities. From the left, Mark Duval, CEO of the Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce; Christy Bryant, Chair of the Austin Sister Cities Association; Eric Johnson, Deputy City Manager of Austin; Seungwon Park, Mayor of Gwangmyeong; and the Honorary Mayor for the day of Gwangmyeong City. Provided by Gwangmyeong City

This visit was jointly organized by the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership. The delegation is visiting Gwangmyeong, as well as Paju and Gyeongju, over a six-day, five-night itinerary from the 12th to the 17th.

The delegation, composed of public officials and businesspeople from Williamson County and Austin, visited Gwangmyeong, their sister city, to observe sites related to industry, economy, and urban development, and to discuss ways to collaborate with the city.

The delegation began the day with a tour of Kia Motors Gwangmyeong Autoland, followed by a meeting with Mayor Park Seungwon, during which they shared information about Gwangmyeong's industrial foundation and future urban vision.

During the meeting, the city explained the Gwangmyeong Siheung Technovalley and the Gwangmyeong Siheung New Town development plans, introducing directions for sustainable urban development and investment opportunities.

Mayor Park stated, "Gwangmyeong Siheung Technovalley and Gwangmyeong Siheung New Town are self-sufficient cities where industry, economy, and culture harmonize, and will serve as the key foundation for Gwangmyeong's future growth. I hope this visit by the Austin delegation will serve as an opportunity to broaden cooperation into various fields."

Christy Bryant, Chair of the Austin Sister Cities Association, said, "Through the tour of Kia Autoland and learning about the new town development vision, I was able to witness Gwangmyeong's rapid growth and potential. I hope this visit will become a new starting point for economic and business exchanges between the two cities."

Since signing a sister city agreement with Austin in 2001, Gwangmyeong City has continued various exchanges, including inviting each other's art troupes for performances, donating Korean books to the Austin Public Library, language training at the University of Austin, reciprocal delegation visits, and hosting the Gwangmyeong City Carbon Neutral International Forum.

The city plans to use this exchange as an opportunity to seek concrete measures for expanding economic exchanges with Austin and to promote regular exchange programs in the fields of youth and culture.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.