Promoting NC With Japan

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker promoted the state’s advantages as a business location in remarks delivered Friday morning at the high-profile Southeast U.S./Japan Annual Joint Meeting. The conference, now in its 37th year, opened last week. Japanese business and government leaders will learn about investment and trade opportunities in North Carolina and six other states in the Southeastern United States. While in Japan, Secretary Decker is also conducting business development meetings to promote North Carolina exports and attract investments to build new facilities in the state. The Secretary visited Japanese retailers selling North Carolina products such as furniture, honey, and pork. “Japanese investments in North Carolina created more than 3,000 jobs in our state just in the last four years,” said Secretary Decker. Japan is an important economic partner for North Carolina. In 2013, North Carolina exports to Japan totaled $1.67 billion. Chemicals, food, and beverage and tobacco products were the top three exports. North Carolina has attracted major investments by some of Japan’s best-known multinational firms, including Bridgestone, Honda, Hitachi, Toshiba, and Sumitomo Electric. Since 2010, North Carolina has attracted $982 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Japan.
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