Texas is a leader in the global marketplace. The State of Texas has
led the nation in exports revenue for five consecutive years (2002 -
2006) with a total of $150.8 billion in 2006; a 17.2 percent increase
from 2005. Continuing to foster superior climate for job growth,
opportunity and prosperity for the people of Texas are among the top
priorities of the Governor. Trade benefits small business in Texas,
91.3% of the 28,300 companies that exported goods in 2004 were small
and medium size-enterprises. 341,200 Jobs are originated within
foreign companies that have operations in Texas.
Products from the State of Texas are shipped around the globe each
year. The state's top value-added exports in 2006 were Computer
& Electronic Products, Chemicals, Machinery (not electrical),
Transportation Equipment, and Petroleum & Coal Products. The
State’s top exporting partners were Mexico, Canada, China
(mainland), South Korea and the Netherlands in that order. Foreign
investment in Texas over the last few years (2002-2004) has remained
constant at approximately $85 million per year.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) includes significant investments by
foreign companies, such as construction of production facilities or
ownership stakes taken in Texan. companies. FDI not only creates new
jobs, it can also lead to an infusion of innovative technologies,
management strategies, and workforce practices. There are 341,200
Texas workers employed by foreign companies providing the livelihood
for more than 4% of Texas private sector workforce.
Foreign Companies in Texas
Foreign Direct Investment to Texas
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Source: OCO Consulting Ltd, LocoMonitor(TM) 2007
Information as of July 2007
IBR Overview
The International Business & Recruitment (IBR) Program helps
Texas companies expand into foreign markets and to assist with
recruiting foreign companies to Texas.
Companies in Texas are encouraged to broaden their scope worldwide,
and they are provided with a method for doing so.
The IBR gives Texas companies the opportunity to promote their
products and services to international buyers and partners through
trade missions, trade shows, seminars and inbound buyer missions.
The IBR connects companies with trade counseling and training
programs available through the International Small Business
Development Centers and U.S. Department of Commerce Export
Assistance Centers.
The IBR works with entities such as the US Department of Commerce,
U.S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Centers, the Small
Business Development Centers, the Texas consular corps, and with
its counterpart in the State of Texas - NAFTA Office in Mexico City
to ensure that Texas companies are represented abroad.
The IBR markets the State of Texas as a business location. This
program activity is to market Texas by attending trade shows and
trade missions, conferences and preparing and organizing seminars -
both nationally and internationally. These program activities,
coupled with strategic partnerships between communities,
businesses, and other local, state and federal agencies, play a key
role in how IBR markets Texas. The main goal of these activities is
to boost up financial investment and job creation in Texas.
Through related activities such as trade missions, recruiting missions
and Invest in Texas seminars, the IBR Office is seeking to generate
trade and investment leads, which will later be disseminated among
Texas companies, communities and regional allies accordingly.
A trade lead is an inquiry from a foreign company, broker, industry
group, or governmental entity, regarding the purchase of a Texas
company’s products, technology, or expertise. An investment lead
is an inquiry from a foreign company or consultant regarding the
establishment of a new facility or expansion of existing facilities in
Texas.
The backbone of our trade activities with foreign countries is the
common understanding and common goals and interests with other
institutions, agencies and regions of the world. Therefore, the IBR
Office is very proactive in the negotiation and signing of legal
instruments with foreign governments and agencies that will provide
the grounds for other countries to actively collaborate with the State
of Texas in the strengthening and mutual cooperation of the trade
related activities.
Export Counseling and Training
IBR assists connecting companies with trade counseling and training
programs available through the International Small Business
Development Centers (SBDCs) and U.S. Department of Commerce Export
Assistance Centers, working closely with its multiple strategic
partnerships and taking advantage of the resources available.
Texas companies that are new to exporting, as well as those firms
ready to export but in need of specific assistance with customs,
permission, finance, or market analysis, are encouraged to contact the
International SBDCs for resource referrals, preliminary counseling,
trade leads and workshops.
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