International Offices
The Department of Commerce’s commitment to helping international companies in their efforts to establish, relocate and expand business operations in the U.S. and North American markets is supported by the state’s four foreign offices. The state has had an official presence in Europe and Asia for decades, and more recently Canada, reflecting how the mutual positive relationships between the state and foreign countries have grown and solidified.
Direct foreign investment continues to create jobs and opportunity in the state. South Carolina ranks No. 1 in the nation for its share of workforce employed by foreign companies. Foreign investment comprised 26% of all projects recruited in 2007 and accounted for 31% of all jobs recruited.
Advisory and support services provided South Carolina’s International Offices include:
- Professional support in the business site selection process
- Identification of suitable communities, sites and buildings
- Detailed information on industry sectors and operating costs
- Introduction to the pro-business environment in the state
- Access to technical and workforce training programs
- Provides governmental assistance, language interpretation and customary procedures
- Serves as an on-the-ground point of contact
- Provides trade assistance
Europe
South Carolina has had a presence in Europe since the mid-1970s when it opened an office in Brussels. With the growing interest of German firms, the office relocated to Frankfurt in the mid-1980s and moved to its current location in Munich in 2000. Among some of the world-class European firms that call South Carolina home are Bosch, Michelin, BMW, Lafarge, adidas and GlaxoSmithKline.
Almeida Palais
Brienner Straße 14
80333 Munich
GERMANY
Phone: 49-89-291-9170
Contact: Managing Director
Japan
Since the 1980's, South Carolina’s Japan office has been a source of significant Japanese investment in the Palmetto State, with such well-known Japanese companies like Honda, Mitsubishi, Kyocera, Nissan and FUJIFILM locating plants here. Visit www.SCtokyo.org for additional information.
Yokohama World Porters 6F
2-2-1, Shinko, Naka-ku
Yokohama City, Kanagawa 231-0001
JAPAN
Phone: 81-45-227-6385
Contact: Managing Director
China
In 2005, Governor Sanford opened the state’s office in Shanghai to capitalize on the growing market economy in China and further enhance efforts to secure Chinese investment in South Carolina.
Room 32H, Pu Fa Tower
588 South Pu Dong Road
Shanghai 200120
CHINA
Phone: (86-21)-5054-0116
Contact: Managing Director
Canada
In March 2007, Governor Sanford announced the opening of the state’s newest international office in Toronto. Canada is South Carolina’s top export market, accounting for the purchase of more than $3 billion in products from the Palmetto State in 2006. Trade between South Carolina and Canada supports some 31,000 jobs in South Carolina alone and bilateral trade between the two totaled over $5 billion in 2007.
130 King Street West, Suite 1800
Toronto, Ontario M5X 1E3
CANADA
Phone: (416) 860-6202
Contact: Managing Director