The Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) signed a memorandum of understanding with Garden Grove, California, on August 27, its first agreement with a U.S. local government. The partnership aims to help Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enter the U.S. market by revitalizing Garden Grove’s Korean business district, promoting it in South Korea and building a business network between KBIZ and the city. Garden Grove, in Orange County near Disneyland, has an economy centered on food, dining and tourism. Its officially designated Korean business district stretches about 3.5 kilometers along Garden Grove Boulevard and is often called Little Seoul. Korean food manufacturers and restaurant franchises operate there, while industrial facilities support food production and light manufacturing. KBIZ Chairman Kim Ki-mun proposed establishing a Korea Desk, creating a permanent display and sales space for Korean SME products, and holding a Korean product sales fair for local consumers at the end of the year. KBIZ also designated Garden Grove a K-Food & K-Goods Friendly City. Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein supported the proposals, which KBIZ plans to develop into specific programs for Korean SMEs expanding into California and the wider U.S. market.