In 2022 United States and Republic of Korea celebrated the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties and in 2023 the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty. The relationship between the two countries has become closer and stronger now than ever. The relationship has grown to bind the two countries with inseparable ties, which is unprecedented in the history of relationships between any two countries. Cooperation between Korea and the US in bilateral and multi-lateral trade is noteworthy and remarkable. As you are aware, Korea used to be one of the poorest countries in the world and went through a horrible internecine war. However, because of diligence and hard work of its people, Korea has now joined the economically developed countries and is enjoying the fruit of its prosperity. With this background there is a growing need to further strengthen this good and strong economic relationship by informing the future generations of both countries of these strong ties and encourage them to maintain the tradition even more. It is essential that the governments as well as the businessmen, who have contributed greatly to the economic development of the two countries, participate in this task to promote mutual friendship and to make efforts to find a way for industrial coexistence and co-prosperity in the rapidly changing global economic environment One noteworthy fact in this relationship is that exchanges and fellowship flow naturally among big companies and their leaders. But that is not the case for small and medium-sized businesses. The time is ripe to form an organization that would promote exchange and friendship of small and medium-sized businesses and their leaders between the two countries. Considering that Korean American Businessmen Friendship Forum (KABFF) was established already and actively working in Korea for this purpose, it is desirable to establish a US counterpart to the Korean organization. In February of this year six businessmen and professionals got together in this area to form a preparatory committee for establishing AKBFF with the focus on business and industry leaders in small and medium-sized businesses who would sympathize with and promote together the mission and purpose of AKBFF. In the process of forming an organization with such a specific mission we determined that it would be best to establish it in the Washington, D.C. area. Our mission is simple: Develop and Promote Friendship and Fellowship between small and medium-sized businesses of the United States and Republic of Korea.We hope AKBFF, in doing its mission, will become an essential and important bridge to the businesses of these two countries and contribute to their ever-stronger economic ties and relationship. Thank you for joining us in this endeavor!