Invest, Expand and Thrive

International Business

Are you an international firm interested in a partnership or strategic acquisition in the Research Triangle? We can help. Please email Kathleen Henry for more information.

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In an effort to increase the region’s global competitiveness, Wake County Economic Development developed an international business strategy with a committee of 20 key members from our local business community with international expertise to help proactively and strategically market the Research Triangle’s competitive advantages. This committee was tasked to identify gaps and provide resources on best practices in recruiting, retaining, and doing business with foreign-owned companies.

As a result of our region’s growth and proactive efforts to connect on a global stage, our region has welcomed Ambassadors and high-level dignitaries, including:

  • The Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Harsh Vardhan Shringla
  • The Belgian Ambassador to the U.S., Dirk Wouters
  • The Irish Ambassador to the U.S., Dan Mulhall

Over the last 60 years, North Carolina’s Research Triangle Region has garnered a reputation as a top place for business and living attracting talent and businesses from across the region. The Triangle is known for its high caliber of talent, concentration of innovation, stable and affordable business climate, and vibrant communities

 

Rankings:

  • Top 10 Cities Where Jobs Will Be In 2020 (Raleigh, NC) Forbes | 2019
  • No. 4 Life Sciences Market (Raleigh-Durham, NC) JLL | 2019
  • No. 8 Best City for High Salaries & Low Costs of Living (Raleigh, NC) Motley Fool | 2019

 

Wake County is home to more than 700 International companies. Below is a list of the Triangle's most significant foreign-owned operations:

Company Country of Origin 
Arkema France
Schneider Electric USA, Inc. France
Cellectis France
Sodexo, Inc. France
BASF Germany
Deutche Bank Germany
Schmalz Inc. Germany
Siemens Medical Germany
Merz Germany
HCL India
Infosys India
Recipharm Laboratories India
GlaxoSmithKline UK
IHS Markit UK
Circassia Pharmaceuticals UK
AW North America Japan
Fuji Film Japan
Konica Minolta Japan
Cbc America Japan
Credit Suisse Switzerland
ABB Switzerland
Novartis Switzerland

 

Wake County additionally has a number of resources to help both companies interested in the region, as well as existing organizations. Some of these include:

Economic Development

The Center for International Understanding (Go Global NC)
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
North Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
European American Business Chamber
Chinese Association for Science and Technology 

Education

SKEMA Business School
The Lerner School
Raleigh Chinese Language School
Carolina Chinese Academy
Raleigh Japanese Language School
Japan Culture Exchange

Government

US Commercial Service
Foreign Trade Zone Administrator
The North Carolina Consular Corps
Consulate of Mexico

International Relations

TIE-Carolinas (South Asia/India)
North Carolina World Trade Association
The North Carolina China Center
The North Carolina Japan Center
North Carolina Chinese Business Association
Triangle Area Chinese American Society of North Carolina
Chinese American Friendship Association of North Carolina
Triangle British American Business Council
North Carolina Chinese Business Association

To learn more about International Business in Wake County, please contact Kathleen Henry.