Sector Facts

• Largest concentration of foreign-owned firms (950+) and international community in Carolinas
• Highest concentration in Carolinas of foreign firms owned by German, British and Japanese parent companies
• If the Carolinas were a country, would be world's 17th largest economy
• More than 40 languages spoken in the region
• 45+ business and cultural organizations developed to support local international community
• K-12 language immersion programs in French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and Japanese
• Active Sister Cities programs with cities in the EU, Asia and South America
• Eleven honorary foreign consuls located in the region
• 700+ daily nonstop departures to more than 135 destinations from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, including Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Toronto and Mexico City
• Foreign Trade Zone #57 with 16 subzones throughout the region reduces taxes and fees, and expedites customs process for imports/exports
• North Carolina ninth in nation with 226,000 employees at foreign U.S. affiliates