For Immediate Release
RALEIGH, N.C. ― The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) has expanded the scope of the state’s international trade offices in order to help North Carolina exporters take advantage of emerging market opportunities.
“With these changes, we’ll continue helping North Carolina businesses succeed in the state’s strongest international markets while better supporting exporters interested in growing markets in Central and Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East and North Africa,” said Mike Hubbard, EDPNC international trade director.
In addition to its Raleigh-based international trade managers, the EDPNC has contracted trade office locations around the world. At no cost to businesses, these offices help North Carolina companies — primarily manufacturers — begin exporting or increase existing international sales. The EDPNC oversees these offices on behalf of the state of North Carolina.
EDPNC international trade representatives provide exporters market recommendations and intelligence as well as market entry strategies specific to their product. They also connect companies to vetted distributors, agents, and direct buyers; help businesses navigate international trade regulations; and arrange productive business meetings for North Carolina companies participating in international trade shows.
The following outlines North Carolina’s trade office network, including some newly aligned responsibilities.
Mexico / South America: The EDPNC’s trade office in Mexico City supports North Carolina businesses interested in exporting to Mexico and South America, particularly to Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. “Mexico has long been a top export partner for North Carolina, but we also want to help businesses make new inroads into South American markets,” Hubbard said.
Southeast Asia: The Singapore office promotes North Carolina exports to countries in Southeast Asian markets including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Canada: The Toronto office assists businesses seeking international sales in North Carolina’s top export destination — Canada. Out of the $28.4 billion in goods exported from North Carolina in 2020, $5.8 billion went to Canada.
Western Europe / North Africa: The trade office in Brussels, Belgium, connects businesses to export opportunities in Western Europe and has recently begun promoting the state’s exports in North African markets such as Morocco and Tunisia.
Central and Eastern Europe: This new European trade office is dedicated to helping businesses generate sales in Central and Eastern Europe. With offices in Heidelberg and Berlin, Germany, as well as in Poland, the EDPNC now covers markets stretching across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and other countries.
Middle East: The trade office in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai also has staff in Saudi Arabia and Israel, so it is well equipped to support North Carolina businesses exporting to Middle East markets including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Israel.
China / Hong Kong / Taiwan: The EDPNC’s Hong Kong office supports exporters interested in markets in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.
Businesses interested in working with North Carolina’s foreign trade offices should email Hubbard at mike.hubbard@edpnc.com. Or click here to connect to one of EDPNC’s industry-specific trade specialists.
About the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina:
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) is a private nonprofit corporation that serves as North Carolina’s statewide economic development organization. Governed by an 18-member board of business and industry leaders from across the state, the EDPNC focuses on business and job recruitment, existing industry support, international trade, and tourism and film marketing. The EDPNC, which operates under contract with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, works closely with public- and private-sector partners at the state, regional and local levels. For more information, visit edpnc.com.
Shaded areas represent the 40-plus export markets supported by the EDPNC’s international trade team.
Contact: Mary Wilson, EDPNC Communications Manager
(M) 919-717-0409 | Mary.Wilson@edpnc.com