International Business and Trade
International trade directly or indirectly supports more than one-third of all jobs in the Houston metropolitan area.
Combined with deep resources of leadership in energy, medicine and information technology, Houston is a gateway for commerce with countries around the world.
Houston’s international trade is facilitated by one of the largest consular corps in the nation – the city consistently ranks among the top three U.S. cities in number of consulates.
Ninety foreign governments have official representation here through consulates or trade offices.
Houston has 17 sister-city relationships promoting business and investment opportunities across six continents: Australia (1), Asia (6), Europe (7), Africa (1) and Americas (2).
Houston-based companies account for over half of all
The 2006 International Houston directory lists 3,010 Houston area firms, foreign government offices and nonprofit organizations involved in international business.
Nearly 470
Houston is a key international financial center. Thirteen foreign countries have representation through Houston's 23 foreign banks.
Forty-one foreign governments maintain trade and commercial offices here, and the city has
23 active foreign chambers of commerce and trade associations.
In 2006, Houston ranked as the nation's fourth largest customs district with more than $162.2 billion in total trade.
Source: Greater Houston Partnership: International Houston
