International News

In an effort to provide readers with a more personal, inside look at the people that make up our team here at S.C. Commerce, we’re excited to kick off a new ‘Getting to Know’ series. Featuring interviews with various members of the Commerce staff, we hope this addition will offer a unique perspective from some of the state’s top economic developers. In this week’s edition, we spoke with Amy Thomson, director of International Strategy and Trade (IST):

The Palmetto State continues to attract interest from business leaders around the world. Last month, Team South Carolina welcomed visitors from Japan and the European Union.

Today, several members of Team South Carolina gathered to welcome European Union (E.U.) Ambassador to the U.S. David O’Sullivan to the Palmetto State.  An important occasion, O’Sullivan’s visit is a testament to just how globally-connected South Carolina’s economy is.

Last week, Team South Carolina was well-represented on opposite sides of the planet, as S.C. Commerce led successful trade and investment missions, visiting two of the state’s top economic partners – Canada and Japan.

As Team South Carolina seeks to build on its expanding international footprint, trade missions will remain essential. In early December, S.C. Commerce will be leading a multi-sector mission to the United Kingdom. With only two vacant spots remaining, interested companies are encouraged to apply for participation today.

Approximately 25 years after BMW first announced its decision to establish a Spartanburg County manufacturing plant, South Carolina has evolved into an automotive powerhouse. Leading the nation in the export sales of completed passenger vehicles, the Palmetto State is now home to approximately 400 automotive-related firms.

Over the last few weeks, Team South Carolina has had the opportunity to meet with Consuls General representing many of our state’s top economic partners. Critical to the mission of the S.C. Department of Commerce, these individuals are extremely important as they can assist in connecting our team with potential international trade and investment clients.

With more than 200 new tech firms opening in South Carolina in 2016, the Palmetto State’s technology sector continues to thrive. In fact, our state had the 11^th-highest tech employment growth rate in the country last year. To serve this growing industry and its dynamic companies, Team South Carolina is providing a variety of resources. Among those resources is export training.

As our faithful friends to the north, Canada continues to be one of South Carolina’s most reliable economic partners. Since 2011, Canada-based companies have brought more than $750 million of capital investment, creating approximately 4,000 new jobs in our state. Canada is also one of South Carolina’s top export partners, accounting for more than $3.4 billion in export sales in 2016.

It’s widely accepted that to be successful in business, one must go where the customers are and build relationships with them. Recognizing this, Team South Carolina is constantly traveling the globe in the effort to strengthen existing partnerships and cultivate new ones.