international

S.C. Commerce, led by Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey, was honored to send a state delegation to U.S. Business Opportunities Day in Taiwan in early October to promote global business relations and investment opportunities.

On the heels of a December 2022 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United Kingdom (U.K.) and a rise in bilateral collaboration since, S.C. Commerce leadership announced the agency’s expansion into the U.K. and Republic of Ireland markets Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.

South Carolina formally strengthened its ties with Ireland Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, when Governor Henry McMaster signed a bill establishing the South Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission.

Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey and S.C. Commerce’s international staff proudly represented South Carolina at the 2024 Republic of Korea-Southeast U.S. Economic Partnership Conference (ROK-SEUS), Aug. 23, 2024, in Atlanta.

South Carolina is a proud member of the Southeast United States-Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Alliance, which works to grow economic opportunities between the member regions. This summer, the biannual SEUS-CP conference will be hosted in Biloxi, Mississippi, providing attendees access to high-level decision makers and business leaders, business-to-business matchmaking meetings, panel discussions, and more. This is the premiere event for local Canadian-owned businesses or South Carolina businesses looking to grow their reach in the Canadian market.

With a focus on FDI and promoting the benefits of doing business in South Carolina, S.C. Commerce representatives led a diverse state delegation at the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit June 23-26, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland.

Tag der Industrie (TDI), also known as the “Day of German Industry,” is Germany’s most prominent celebration and gathering of the European nation's industry leaders, business executives and economic policymakers.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is pivotal to South Carolina’s economy, accounting for more than 30% of announced economic development investments in 2023 alone. Today, over 1,100 internationally owned operations exist statewide — even for those with locations throughout the world, South Carolina-based operations stand out in helping drive global success.

Annual trade and export figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce put South Carolina’s 2023 export sales at $37.3 billion, defying a national trend where U.S. exports dropped 2.2% over the same timeframe. The automotive industry remained the state’s leading export — South Carolina was once again the nation’s top exporter of tires, and a national leader in the export of completed passenger vehicles. In total, South Carolina exports reached 211 countries in 2023.

Global industry is in the midst of transformational change, catalyzed by technological advancements and rapidly evolving markets.