KOTRA to help Korean firms tap LA Olympics construction boom with Oct. 28 webinar

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency will hold an online briefing on Oct. 28 to help South Korean companies break into the US public works market ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. KOTRA announced the "Online Briefing on Public Works Market Entry Strategies for the LA Olympics Boom" on Wednesday.

US construction spending stands at $2.24 trillion, and KOTRA said Los Angeles — one of the country's top construction markets — is opening up further as the Olympics approach. Demand for roads, power infrastructure and urban improvements is also rising as federal infrastructure investment converges with the Olympic buildup.

The briefing targets companies interested in entering the US public works market. The Los Angeles Board of Public Works, which oversees the city's public works projects, and the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, or PACE, a city procurement program that supports businesses seeking public contracts, will both send speakers.

KOTRA published a guide on Sept. 30 titled "Entry Strategies for Korean Companies in Light of the 2028 LA Olympics Boom and the Restructuring of the US Construction Infrastructure Supply Chain." The upcoming briefing builds on that report, with a focus on delivering practical information companies need to participate in actual projects.

Los Angeles is pursuing a range of projects for a "car-free Olympics," including upgrades to public transit infrastructure, improvements to major cultural facilities and the urban environment, and the development of e-government and sports management online services. KOTRA expects these initiatives to expand opportunities for Korean firms across multiple sectors.

KOTRA plans to help companies navigate complex licensing procedures and information gaps, and will also connect firms with no prior US public works experience to qualified Korean diaspora companies already eligible to bid on contracts.

Steve Kang, president of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, said the city is pursuing a wide range of projects to improve urban infrastructure and strengthen public services ahead of the 2028 Olympics. "We hope Korean companies with outstanding technology and experience will actively seek out public procurement opportunities in Los Angeles and expand their partnerships with local businesses," he said.

Lee Geum-ha, head of KOTRA's North America regional headquarters, said the US public works market is expected to grow further on the back of major international events like the Olympics and federal infrastructure investment policy. "We will actively support Korean companies so their advanced technologies can shine in the US market," she said.