State and local economic development executives are keeping busy with globe-trotting trade missions.

This week, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), business executives and others embarked on a 10-day trip to South Korea and China.

Participants include representatives from HarVest Bank of Maryland, Amarex Clinical Research, TissueGene, RNL Biostar, Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, K&Y Investment Properties, Zaracom and Rafagen, plus the state Department of Business and Economic Development and National Institutes of Health. Some are going for just the Korea or China portion.

HarVest Bank is interested in promoting the general business climate in Montgomery County through this trip and others, CEO Jack Hollerbach said in a statement. He also participated in a county-led mission to India last year.

"We hope to develop an understanding of the cultures in these countries in order to better serve existing clients and attract customers from these communities to the bank," Hollerbach said.

A key focus will be biotechnology, as leaders build on ties forged for the past few years, said Patrick Lacefield, a spokesman for Leggett. A number of Korean- and Chinese-owned businesses have set up shop in the county in recent years, he said.

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