Tag: WTCSD

WTCSD’s Q1 Global Brief: Export growth opportunities, regional trade, and more

By Sophia Antonopoulos,

Each quarter, World Trade Center San Diego delivers the latest global news and updates straight to your inbox.

In Q1 2025, here’s what you need to know about San Diego’s global trade, investment, and engagement. ➝ Get WTCSD’s Global Brief each quarter.

Apply by June 30: Grow your global sales with MetroConnect

WTCSD’s MetroConnect export accelerator is back for its eighth cohort! Presented by Booz Allen Hamilton and JPMorgan Chase & Co., MetroConnect helps San Diego’s export-ready companies increase their international sales through up to $30,000 in grants, executive workshops, and mentorship from leaders at multinational corporations.
➝ Learn More and Apply

A note from Nikia: Navigating trade uncertainty in a binational region

As tariff threats loom and the country teeters on the brink of an all-out trade war, we all wonder what it means for our binational region, the future of the popular USMCA, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs tied to global commerce in San Diego. This will be a volatile period for the North American supply chains that enable this region to compete globally. What we have learned is that in the midst of uncertainty, we should return to what we know to be true about this binational region.
➝ Read More from WTCSD’s Exec. Director

Access Trax turns $10K into export growth in Canada, Australia

With growing traction across the U.S. and interest abroad, accessibility product innovator Access Trax turned its sights toward international growth—but needed assistance securing economic incentives to fuel its expansion into foreign markets. Learn how WTCSD’s MetroConnect accelerator helped the woman-owned company access funding, translate documents, and build its Canada and Australia connections.
➝ Read More

San Diego News

Events

Grow your company in san diego ↓

World Trade Center San Diego works directly with companies—free of charge—to help them expand internationally and grow in San Diego.

  • Export Specialty Center: For small companies interested in learning about exporting and international growth.
  • MetroConnect: For small and medium-sized companies ready to export and grow internationally.

➝ Get WTCSD’s Global Brief delivered straight to your inbox.

You might also like:

 

A note from Nikia: WTCSD on trade

By Nikia Clarke,

Navigating trade uncertainty in a binational region

As tariff threats loom and the country teeters on the brink of an all-out trade war, we all wonder what it means for our binational region, the future of the popular USMCA, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs tied to global commerce in San Diego.

This will be a volatile period for the North American supply chains that enable this region to compete globally. We have been here before.

In all the economic development work we do in this region, we strive to do it binationally, as a metropolitan region of close to seven million bisected by an international border. We travel together on investment attraction missions to South Korea or Singapore; we advocate together in Washington, D.C. and Mexico City for better infrastructure; and we work every day with counterparts in Tijuana to help companies create deep and resilient binational supply chains in critical industries.

What we have learned is that in the midst of uncertainty, we should return to what we know to be true about this binational region:

  • We know that our border economy, anchored by the busiest port of entry in the Western Hemisphere, has been a tremendous driver of economic growth, job creation, and competitiveness—not just for San Diego, but for America as a whole.
  • We know that what we do here is not trade, it is co-production: a single component—in an automobile or a medical device—may cross the border six to eight times, with value added at each stop, before finally reaching its customer. This means that 40 percent of what we import from Mexico was made by American workers in the first place. For imports from China by contrast, that number is less than four percent.
  • We know that this ability to regionally produce goods is a compelling reason why foreign companies invest here, and why local companies can compete globally and export their goods and technologies around the world, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs in this region alone.
  • And we also know how critical these supply chains—in aerospace, electronics, semiconductors, and medical devices—are to the broader U.S. economy. Notably, 60 percent of all medical devices imported to treat patients in hospitals in Boston and Atlanta are produced in this region and cross this border every day.
  • Finally, we know how important long-term investments in infrastructure—like Otay Mesa East or the Cross Border Xpress terminal—are to enhancing the remarkable economic engine we have created in this region.

Here in San Diego we have been finding solutions for decades, by working collaboratively to build border infrastructure, to facilitate trade and immigration, to fight crime and enhance education, and to create better outcomes for businesses, for consumers, and for communities.

The coming weeks and months will be bumpy—as barriers to trade and market access rise around the world—and they will be especially difficult for the 98 percent of U.S. exporters that are small businesses. Yet despite this turbulence, the overall calculus for American policy makers and global business leaders has been consistent for well over a decade: Regionalize supply chains closer to the customers they serve, and rebuild U.S. manufacturing capabilities in industries critical to national security and competitiveness. And there is no way to achieve those goals without relying on our North American neighbors. Even in the most extreme tariff scenarios, trade with Mexico and Canada would likely increase, but businesses and consumers would pay higher prices for the pleasure.

Our job in this moment is to be agile and creative in helping firms of every size—who have played by the rules and made significant investments in this country and its neighbors—to navigate uncertainty, continue to reach their customers and suppliers, and maintain jobs and supply chains in our most critical industries.

Nikia Clarke
Nikia Clarke

Chief Strategy Officer, EDC; Exec. Director, WTCSD

Resources and action:

  • Understand San Diego’s Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) Program, which allows for duty free imports and warehousing. Learn more
  • Apply by June 30 to WTCSD’s MetroConnect export accelerator program supporting small- and medium-sized businesses in going global
  • Stay tuned for WTCSD’s upcoming Binational Trade & Competitiveness Report, launching Q3 2025

Need support? Contact our team.

EDC and WTCSD work directly with companies—free of charge—to help them grow in San Diego.

Contact us

WTCSD’s statement on tariffs

By World Trade Center San Diego,

With the rest of our region’s business community, we’re closely watching updates around the new tariff on China and the paused tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

EDC’s Chief Strategy Officer Nikia Clarke shares in a formal statement:
“We know that this will be a volatile period for the North American supply chains that enable this region to compete globally. We have been here before. Here in San Diego, from medical devices to semiconductors and consumer goods, our supply chains are so integrated that 40 percent of what we import from Mexico was made by American workers in the first place. Our job in this moment is to be agile and creative in helping firms of every size—who have played by the rules and made significant investments in this country and its neighbors—to navigate uncertainty, continue to reach their customers and suppliers, and maintain jobs and supply chains in our most critical industries.”

EDC and World Trade Center San Diego remain a resource and partner to our regional business community, offering free assistance, information, and guidance.

Need support? Contact our team.

EDC and WTCSD work directly with companies—free of charge—to help them grow in San Diego.

Contact us

Additional resources:

  • Ongoing: Learn about San Diego’s Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) Program, which allows for duty free imports and warehousing. Learn more.
  • February 7: Join the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce for a free webinar on the latest news, mitigation options, and more. Register here.

World Trade Center San Diego’s 2024 Annual Report

By World Trade Center San Diego,

World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD), the international affiliate of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the regional leader on trade and investment, cultivates a pipeline of export-ready firms, maximizes foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities, and enhances San Diego’s global identity. In WTCSD’s 2024 Annual Report, see how we helped San Diego companies participate in a globally connected economy to create quality local jobs, and make the San Diego region more prosperous, competitive, and resilient.

WTCSD’S CORE PILLARS

  • Exports: Supporting exporters creates quality jobs and builds resiliency in small businesses. WTCSD grows regional exports by facilitating sustainable connections to customers and markets for local firms.
  • Investment: Foreign investment strengthens competitive industry clusters and enables the expansion of local companies. WTCSD assists investing companies and supports international air service expansion.
  • Global Identity: A strong global reputation for innovation makes the region more competitive and connected. WTCSD communicates the impact of global trends on the regional economy and stewards relationships with the markets that matter most for growth.

Exports

Priority: As the region’s Export Specialty Small Business Development Center (SBDC), WTCSD cultivates a pipeline of export-ready firms, and supports these companies in their efforts to grow in international markets.

  • WTCSD kicked off its seventh MetroConnect cohort, awarding 15 San Diego companies in tech, life sciences, and consumer goods $175,000 in grants and equipping them with translation software and workshops to access international markets.

  • Export SBDC at WTCSD supported 120 companies via one-on-one counseling and webinars, including helping San Diego companies win $39,476 in STEP funding for export activities.

Investment

Priority: Maximize foreign investment opportunities for the region by building and institutionalizing linkages with strategic markets abroad, as well as better leveraging local companies, partners, and assets.

  • Following WTCSD’s 2022 Netherlands trade mission, San Diego International Airport and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced a new direct flight between San Diego and Amsterdam, with thrice-weekly service starting May 2025.

  • WTCSD capitalized on the influx of foreign life sciences companies visiting San Diego during the 2024 BIO Convention by hosting an Invest in San Diego breakfast, with more than 100 global attendees heard remarks from Mayor Todd Gloria, WTCSD’s Executive Director Nikia Clarke, and leaders from Neurocrine, Avidity, Eli Lilly, and Element Biosciences.

Global Identity

Priority: Enhance the San Diego region’s reputation and visibility to underpin investment retention and attraction efforts, as well as global connectivity goals.

  • Representative Scott Peters, Councilmember Raul Campillo, and WTCSD led 2024’s trade mission to Singapore. The binational delegation of business and civic leaders promoted San Diego’s key industries, established and strengthened business relationships across biotechnology, medical devices, advanced manufacturing, and urban infrastructure.

  • Following WTCSD’s 2023 trade mission to South Korea, Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong-yeon Kim visited San Diego as part of a weeklong tour of California, where he toured UC San Diego, Illumina, Biocom, and threw out the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game. WTCSD supported the Korean government’s efforts to arrange a meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom. 

READ THE FULL WTCSD 2024 ANNUAL REPORT →

GET INVOLVED

WTCSD’s Q4 Global Brief: International flight, Singapore trade mission, and more

By Sophia Antonopoulos,

Each quarter, World Trade Center San Diego delivers the latest global news and updates straight to your inbox.

In Q4 2024, here’s what you need to know about San Diego’s global trade, investment, and engagement. ➝ Get WTCSD’s Global Brief each quarter.

Rep. Scott Peters leads trade mission to Singapore

To foster vital global economic partnerships, Representative Scott Peters and San Diego Councilmember Raul Campillo led a binational delegation of private, civic, and education leaders on WTCSD’s 2024 trade mission to Singapore. A similarly binational region with shared expertise in strategic technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing, Singapore is a highly-developed trade hub—and a natural partner for San Diego companies expanding globally.
➝ Read More

Reflections on our 2024 trade mission by Dr. Nikia Clarke

During WTCSD’s Singapore trade mission, delegates spotlighted major regional projects to potential global investors, learned about ResMed and Illumina’s Singapore presence, and explored opportunities to better connect and partner. And though our days in market get most of the attention, WTCSD’s Executive Director Dr. Nikia Clarke shares, the work that follows our trade missions is just as important—when deals get inked, investments and expansions are confirmed, and partnerships deepen, such as San Diego’s new direct flight to Amsterdam following our 2022 Netherlands trade mission.
➝ Read More

WTCSD in 2024: New international flight, export growth, and global connections

WTCSD cultivates a pipeline of export-ready firms, maximizes foreign direct investment opportunities, and enhances San Diego’s global identity. From growing exports through MetroConnect to leading a regional trade mission to Singapore, learn how we supported 120 companies with and through our partners in 2024.
➝ Read our Annual Report

San Diego News

Events

 

Grow your company in san diego ↓

World Trade Center San Diego works directly with companies—free of charge—to help them expand internationally and grow in San Diego.

  • Export Specialty Center: For small companies interested in learning about exporting and international growth.
  • MetroConnect: For small and medium-sized companies ready to export and grow internationally.

➝ Get WTCSD’s Global Brief delivered straight to your inbox.

You might also like:

From one global gateway to another: Reflections on our 2024 trade mission to Singapore

By Nikia Clarke,

San Diego to Singapore 2024

As we depart Singapore on the heels of World Trade Center San Diego’s seventh international trade mission, it is with a tremendous amount of gratitude for the broad coalition of San Diego leadership that joins us year after year all over the globe to deepen existing partnerships, explore new opportunities, and enthusiastically showcase the breadth and depth of the region’s economy.

Led this year by Congressman Scott Peters—his fourth time at the helm for WTCSD—the 2024 delegation included leadership from the Port, Airport and City of San Diego, UC San Diego and San Diego State University, large global employers like Qualcomm, Illumina, Cubic, ResMed, Austal, and Mitsubishi Electric, as well as small, high-growth innovators like Biolinq and Visaic, tourism powerhouses like the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and ecosystem partners from across the binational region like Connect, the Chamber, the Tourism Authority, Tijuana EDC, and the Prebys Foundation.

This year we headed for another innovative, binational region by the sea, which is also the world’s premier gateway to Asia: Singapore. In a moment for the global economy characterized by geopolitical uncertainty, rapidly shifting supply chains in advanced industries, and climate action and energy transition, this city state of only six million people is partnering with industry to create solutions for today’s challenges.

  • Despite being a high-cost destination with limited land and natural resources, advanced manufacturing makes up 20 percent of Singapore’s GDP—almost double San Diego’s numbers—due to world-class vertical manufacturing facilities co-designed by the government and companies including San Diego firms Illumina and ResMed.
  • Nearly 400,000 people cross into Singapore from Malaysia to work every day—almost double the volume of our busy border with Tijuana—and the border authority is piloting new, fully automated clearance technology to increase efficiency as well as partnering with Malaysia on a new rapid transit system that will open in 2026.
  • From rooftop greenery and food production, water desalination and underground cooling systems, to engineering the bayfront to naturally protect the city from future sea level rise, Singapore’s intentional regional planning efforts have created a city that is simultaneously one of the densest in the world as well as one of the smartest and one of the greenest.

Our goals for these trade missions are threefold:

    1. To facilitate transactional wins that bring jobs and investment to San Diego.
    1. To enable best practice sharing to help us address our biggest regional challenges.
    1. To share San Diego’s innovation story in a market that matters for our economic future.

Over a whirlwind three days filled with more than 15 meetings and events, our delegation hit all of these goals and then some.

Jobs and investment:

  • We held our Spotlight on San Diego event, in which 70 Singaporean investors and business leaders interested in investing in California heard from our delegates about big projects and opportunities in both San Diego and Tijuana in life sciences, strategic technology, and SDSU’s innovation district.
  • Small, high-growth San Diego companies pitched to Singapore’s institutional investment firm that funds innovation worldwide.
  • Port of San Diego called on a number of shipping companies in order to attract more liner service to San Diego.
  • MELIC Ventures—the venture arm of Mitsubishi Electric—established a proof-of-concept agreement with a maritime drone company. 

Partnerships:

  • San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Group exchanged knowledge on strategic planning and critical global wildlife conservation, all financed by visitor income.
  • The Port authorities of San Diego and Singapore began discussions on an MOU focused on green and sustainable shipping corridors.
  • The City of San Diego explored housing policy and infrastructure with the Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore’s Ministry of National Development, and the developer firms that partner together to house every Singaporean.
  • UC San Diego and National University Singapore deepened a recent MOU on digital health, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship with plans to establish a soft landing exchange for entrepreneurs.

Global identity:

  • We met with Singaporean leadership from the Deputy Prime Minister, the Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore, A*Star and dozens of others in order to share what makes San Diego so special.
  • Companies with big Singapore operations—like Illumina, ResMed, and Qualcomm—shared their successes and reminded our hosts that they represent San Diego technology and innovation.
  • Our final reception—held at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador per WTCSD trade mission tradition—brought together 100 partners and stakeholders from across the region to cement bonds and celebrate a productive and successful week.

As is always the case with our trade missions, the nonstop few days in the market get most of the attention. However, the bulk of the work happens in the months before—when the WTCSD team works diligently with and through so many of you to identify opportunities and priorities—and even more importantly in those that follow—when deals get inked, investments and expansions are confirmed, and partnerships deepen.

So, as we return home to San Diego—where the sun is shining and the Padres are in the playoffs—we thank our delegates again for taking the time from very busy calendars to travel with us and represent San Diego. And we also invite all of you to watch this space closely in the weeks and months ahead, because we are just getting started.

EXPLORE OUR TRADE MISSIONS →

Nikia Clarke
Nikia Clarke

Chief Strategy Officer, EDC; Exec. Director, WTCSD

Rep. Peters, WTCSD to lead Singapore trade mission to strengthen economic ties in Asia

By Bree Burris,

WORLD TRADE CENTER SAN DIEGO CONVENES REGIONAL LEADERS TO HELP BUSINESSES IN SAN DIEGO MEGA-REGION EXPAND GLOBALLY, CREATE LOCAL JOBS

In order to foster vital global economic partnerships, Congressman Scott Peters, San Diego Councilmember Raul Campillo, and World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD), the international arm of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), are leading the 2024 trade delegation to Singapore. During the September 30—October 4 trade mission, business and civic leaders will promote the region’s key industries and seek to establish and strengthen business relationships across biotechnology, medical devices, advanced manufacturing, and urban infrastructure.

A generational shift in U.S. industrial strategy aimed at reducing reliance on China, coupled with federal legislation like the Chips and Science and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, position Singapore as a natural partner in advanced industries. As national governments continue to incentivize the reshoring and nearshoring of activities, gateway regions like Singapore-Malaysia in Asia and San Diego-Tijuana in the Americas are perfectly positioned to take advantage of these global shifts.                                                    

“Singapore’s strategic position and expertise in innovation industries make it an ideal partner for our San Diego-Tijuana binational region,” said Congressman Scott Peters. “This trip with World Trade Center San Diego will help strengthen our global brand, drive investment, and bolster the resilience of our local businesses.”

Home to the world’s busiest transshipment port and border crossing, Singapore is a highly developed center for global trade and a hub for U.S. companies conducting business in Asia. Situated in one of the most strategically important locations on the planet, the city-state boasts a free and business-friendly economy with low corruption, low tax rates, a skilled workforce, and world-class infrastructure.

As the U.S. strengthens its alliances in Southeast Asia, San Diego finds in Singapore an economy with shared expertise in knowledge-intensive industries, including artificial intelligence, medical device manufacturing, and information communications technology. Singapore boasts satellite operations for some of San Diego’s premier innovators including Qualcomm, ResMed, and Illumina. Further, Singapore has poured $12.8 billion in FDI into the U.S. since 2019 in industries such as manufacturing, information communications technology, and energy. The U.S. has matched that amount, investing $12.5 billion during the same time period. Looking closer, Singapore is the #10 country investing venture capital into San Diego by deal count, just behind Denmark and India (2014—2020), primarily in the medical equipment and technology industries. Singapore also shares in San Diego’s binational identity, with Singapore-Johor seeing nearly 1.6x the number of border crossings per day compared to San Diego-Tijuana’s border (450,000 and 283,000, respectively).

“Guided by data and shifting geopolitics, each year WTCSD leads a trade mission to a strategic international metro. For 2024, Singapore was a standout choice for our delegation of public-private leaders,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of World Trade Center San Diego and senior vice president at San Diego Regional EDC. “As gateway regions, Singapore-Malaysia in Asia and San Diego-Tijuana in the Americas will anchor the critical supply chains of the future. We’re here to deepen international ties and maximize our economic impact.”

Over the four-day trade mission across Singapore, San Diego will look to build lasting institutional relationships and attract foreign investment in industries critical to the future.

Agenda items include:

  • The celebration of a recent partnership between UC San Diego and National University Singapore, as well the exploration of new opportunities around soft-landing space with Singapore commercial real estate developer CapitaLand
  • Opportunities to showcase San Diego-Tijuana and major regional development projects for foreign investors, including innovation developments by San Diego State University and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
  • Local, small- to mid-sized businesses Biolinq and Visaic will pitch to global investment firm Temasek
  • Meetings with Port, Airport, Border, and infrastructure partners to better connect our regions through nonstop air and liner service, as well as sharing energy transition and urban development innovations
  • Government convenings with Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Gan Kim Yong and other dignitaries
  • Formal meetings and tours of major employers in both regions, including Illumina, ResMed, as well as the Mandai Wildlife Group—a peer of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Delegates will participate in upwards of 15 meetings over the course of the trade mission, sharing best practices and driving business connectivity across many verticals. The two dozen San Diego delegates include representatives from Cubic, Mitsubishi Electric, Qualcomm, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and smaller businesses including Visaic and Biolinq. Also in attendance are delegates from key agencies, academic institutions, and civic organizations such as Port of San Diego, San Diego International Airport, UC San Diego, San Diego State University, MiraCosta College, Tijuana EDC, San Diego Tourism Authority, Connect, and others.

“As San Diego’s Economic Development Chair, I have two key goals: creating high-paying jobs and lowering costs for families in our city,” said San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo. “International trade and partnerships with businesses in Singapore and elsewhere bring advanced technology, high-skill workers, and robust tourism and investment to our local region. This strengthens our economy and delivers benefits like more affordable products that our citizens will see in their day-to-day lives.”

The trade mission is organized by World Trade Center San Diego, the international team at EDC, with assistance and support provided by the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, and sponsorship by Qualcomm, Ambix Ventures, San Diego Tourism Authority, and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

Learn more about Singapore and San Diego’s connection here, and follow along during the trade mission: #SDinSG. 

WTCSD has previously led trade missions to South Korea, The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Vancouver, and more.

For media queries or other questions, contact:

Bree Burris
Bree Burris

Sr. Director, Communications & Community Engagement

EDC, WTCSD host international delegations for Invest in San Diego event

By Emily Irion,

Kicking off this year’s BIO International Conference, San Diego Regional EDC and World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) hosted an Invest in San Diego breakfast event together with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Biocom. The regional ‘pitch’ event played host to more than 100 attendees representing international delegations including South Korea, Canada, Taiwan, France, and more.

With idyllic views of the harbor and downtown, City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria kicked off the program highlighting the Life Sciences industry as a crucial pillar of San Diego’s economy. He underscored the region’s commitment to fostering industry growth through initiatives such as the Life Sciences Industry Accelerator, designed to streamline permitting for Life Sciences projects within San Diego.

EDC SVP and Executive Director of WTCSD Nikia Clarke then presented on San Diego’s competitive advantages:

  • San Diego is a top three Life Sciences market with a robust research and development hub and a growing manufacturing sector. With more than 60,000 total Life Sciences jobs countywide, 33 percent are dedicated to manufacturing.
  • The region boasts more than 80 research and 25 post-secondary institutions. Conferring approximately 17,000 STEM degrees annually, San Diego is growing its degree-holding population at a faster rate than any other California metro.
  • San Diego’s proximity to Mexico provides dynamic cross-border economic opportunities for businesses to access additional skilled talent and Baja California’s manufacturing expertise in medical devices and more.

The event concluded with a panel moderated by Miguel Motto, Vice President, Strategic Operations and San Diego Office Head of Biocom, together with panelists Matt Abernethy of Neurocrine Biosciences, Sarah Boyce of Avidity Biosciences, Alison Budelsky of Eli Lilly, and Jeff Labbadia of Element Biosciences. With representation from Life Sciences companies of all sizes, the panelists shared why they continue to expand in San Diego. Although their individual stories are unique, they all made one thing clear: they invest in San Diego because of its diverse and highly skilled talent pool, collaborative spirit, and unrivaled quality of life.

Interested in investing in San Diego?

EDC and WTCSD work directly with companies—free of charge—to help them grow in San Diego. Contact our team today:

Emily Irion
Emily Irion

Sr. Manager, World Trade Center San Diego

Learn more here

WTCSD’s Q2 Global Brief: San Diego boosts international connectivity

By Sophia Antonopoulos,

Each quarter, World Trade Center San Diego delivers the latest global news and updates straight to your inbox.

In Q2 2024, here’s what you need to know about San Diego’s global trade, investment, and engagement. ➝ Get WTCSD’s Global Brief each quarter.

California, Gyeonggi Province sign MOU for collaboration

During WTCSD’s trade mission to South Korea last fall, Mayor Todd Gloria delivered a letter from Governor Newsom to Gyeonggi Province’s Governor Kim, inviting him to visit California and sign an MOU between the two regions. In May, Governor Kim did right by the invitation and joined Governor Newsom in Sacramento to sign the MOU that outlines three years of collaboration to foster trade relations, advance climate goals, and promote people-to-people exchanges among academics, entrepreneurs, and innovators alike. The South Korean Governor also expanded on local partnerships and spent a week in San Diego visiting UC San Diego, Illumina, Biocom, as well as Mayor Gloria.
➝ Read More About the Partnership

Samsung Semiconductor expands San Diego footprint

Together with Mayor Todd Gloria and the Chamber, EDC and WTCSD celebrated the opening of Samsung Semiconductor‘s customer engagement office in San Diego. The company currently employs 200 San Diegans with plans for additional growth in its new Del Mar office and beyond. The expansion follows last year’s WTCSD trade mission to South Korea where Mayor Gloria and more than 30 delegates visited Samsung Biologics and other tech giants to strengthen relationships with the strategically important innovation cluster.
➝ Read More

MetroConnect alum Novo Brazil Brewing inks five-year licensing agreement with Padres

Nova Easy Kombucha, renowned for its innovative and flavorful kombucha offerings, has partnered with the San Diego Padres for a brand new City Connect-themed hard kombucha, which is available at multiple locations within Petco Park. The five-year agreement not only enhances the game day experience but also underscores Nova’s commitment to community engagement and growth in San Diego.
➝ Read More

San Diego News

Events

Grow your company in san diego ↓

World Trade Center San Diego works directly with companies—free of charge—to help them expand internationally and grow in San Diego.

  • Export Specialty Center: For small companies interested in learning about exporting and international growth.
  • MetroConnect: For small and medium-sized companies ready to export and grow internationally.

➝ Get WTCSD’s Global Brief delivered straight to your inbox.

You might also like:

Samsung Semiconductor opens customer engagement office in San Diego

By San Diego Regional EDC,

Together with Mayor Todd Gloria, EDC celebrated the opening of Samsung Semiconductor‘s new customer engagement office in San Diego, supporting Southern California customers.

“Samsung Semiconductor’s Memory and Foundry businesses are poised for growth as we innovate and fuel the future of AI, mobile, and automotive,” said Samsung Semiconductor’s U.S. President Jinman Han. “We are expanding in San Diego to better serve our customers in Southern California.”

“Just a few months ago, I led a delegation to South Korea where we visited Samsung’s Biologic offices and other tech giants to strengthen business relationships and to try to grow more quality jobs here at home,” said Mayor Todd Gloria.

“Today, we’re thrilled to see Samsung Semiconductor doubling down on its local tech footprint and making an important and valuable addition to San Diego’s globally connected innovation economy.”

Located in Del Mar, the new San Diego office is home to Memory and Foundry customer engagement teams totaling approximately 20 employees. Both teams support innovations that power AI, mobile, automotive, IoT, the data center, and more.

  • The Memory team partners closely with major local customers to develop and validate memory solutions for mutual end-customers across applications.
  • The Foundry team is responsible for the end-to-end support and engagement with customers in Southern California. This includes identifying the best Foundry technology for Samsung Semiconductor customers’ needs to sustaining production using Samsung’s process technologies ranging from 150nm all the way to 2nm.

Samsung Semiconductor has had offices in San Diego since 2010, with an R&D center focused on SOC, modem systems, RF systems, multimedia, AI, and commercialization. The company employs more than 200 employees in San Diego with plans for additional growth.

About Samsung Semiconductor

Samsung Semiconductor is a world-leading semiconductor company with a wide range of products that power the tools you use every day – including smartphones, electric vehicles, hyperscale data centers, IoT devices, and more. For more information and the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at semiconductor.samsung.com.

About EDC

San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is an independently-funded economic development organization that mobilizes business, government, and civic leaders around an inclusive economic development strategy in order to connect data to decision making, maximize regional prosperity, enhance global competitiveness, and position San Diego effectively for investment and talent.