(SEOUL=NEWSIS) KOTRA will hold Global Partnering USA 2014 September 23 - 24 in Chicago, in the United States.

The event aims to support Korean companies and preemptively respond to the rapidly changing U.S. parts and materials market due to the development of shale gas by maximizing the effects of tariff reduction, a result of the free trade agreement between Korea and the United States.

On September 23, about 20 global companies, including GE, the world’s No. 1 large engine manufacturer, Navistar, North America’s No. 1 medium-duty truck manufacturer, and CNH Global NV, one of the world’s top-five heavy equipment manufacturers, will discuss cooperative measures, outsourcing services and research and development with 30 Korean small- and medium-sized companies.

On September 24, GE and CNH will present on purchasing policies, and participants will visit the production and management facilities of the two companies.

GE, the largest beneficiary of shale gas, will be attending Global Partnering USA for the first time.

"We are looking for parts that need large-scale engines to transport shale gas from wells to the demand market. In particular, we have high hopes for cooperation with Korean shipbuilders that produce the best large ship engines in the world," said Victor Chavez, the Sourcing Commercial Leader at GE Power & Water.

"GE is interested in cooperating with Korean companies while its demand for engines is growing for facilities in the drilling area. I hope the event will strengthen cooperation between Korean companies and GE," said Director General Kang Young Soo of KOTRA Chicago.

shoon@newsis.com