INTERNATIONAL TRADE

 

 

 

 

 

An often overlooked factor in Houston’s industries is the Port of Houston. Shipping and trade are important elements in the city’s diversity, making a $7.7 billion annual impact on the local economy.   A fact not known by many is that the Port of Houston is ranked first in the U.S. in the U.S. in terms of foreign tonnage and second in total tonnage, and is the sixth-largest port in the world.  It is the closest major port to Mexico’s industrial centers, making Houston a major international business hub benefiting from trade between Texas, Mexico and the rest of Latin America.  Additionally, the area hosts the U.S. headquarters for over 150 foreign companies representing 23 countries.

 

 

 

HOUSTON IS HOME TO

● 88 Consulate Offices

● 21 Foreign Banks, Representing 11 Nations

● More Than 640 Foreign-Owned Firms

● More Than 450 Houston-Area Companies With Offices in 129 Foreign Countries

● More Than 3,300 Area Firms, Foreign Government Offices and Non-Profit Organizations Involved in International Business

Houston has a world-class transportation infrastructure, including the Houston Airport System, which ranks fourth in the country and sixth globally for multi-airport systems.  More than 700,000 rail cars pass through the region annually, carrying a wide range of products, from processed foods to plastics to a score of other manufactured goods.

 

Houston has over 575 miles of highways and expressways, with nearly 1,000 trucking companies moving goods along them every day.

 

Eighty-eight foreign governments have consular offices in Houston and many maintain trade offices here.  Houston consistently ranks as one of the top three cities in the U.S. for the number of consular offices.  Forty-three governments maintain trade and commercial offices here and the city has twenty-four international chambers of commerce. The city’s diverse foreign business and international community are supported by in excess of 80 private business and cultural organizations.  Houston has 21 banks, representing 10 nations, and has 16 sister-city relationships across four continents:  Australia (1), Asia (5), Europe (7), Africa (1) and Americas (2).
 
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