INTERNATIONAL TRADE

In 2023, exporters across the US felt macroeconomic challenges affecting the supply chain, shipping costs, and rising inflation. Despite those challenges, North Carolina exporters found support from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s (EDPNC) International Trade division in identifying new trade partners and gaining access to new markets. 

Throughout the year, the International Trade division and select companies from around the state participated in exhibitions and trade shows around the world, highlighting North Carolina’s exports on the global stage. In November, the International Trade division and five building materials and machinery companies embarked on a trade mission to Poland, where they met with the representatives from the US Embassy, the American Chamber of Commerce in Poland, and the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland. The group also received an economic development briefing from the EDPNC’s Polish counterpart, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, as well as exhibited at the Rebuild Ukraine trade show in Warsaw, which showcased companies that could supply materials, equipment, and technologies to help rebuild Ukraine.  

The International Trade division, in partnership with the US Small Business Administration, also provides funding through the North Carolina State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), which offers up to $16,000 in reimbursements to qualifying exporters for business-building activities such as trade show assistance and export services, export credit insurance and marketing assistance, such as website localization for international markets, translation services, and digital marketing campaigns.  

In September 2023, the EDPNC received and administered $900,000 for the October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, STEP grant year, the eleventh year of the program. Due to overwhelming interest and demand, the funds were fully allocated in less than a month. By comparison, the EDPNC received $750,000 for the prior STEP grant year and the funds were allocated within three months. Since the EDPNC began administering the STEP program, more than $6 million have been allocated to companies in North Carolina. 

Highlight – Sciencix 

Each year, the International Trade division partners with the Office of the Governor for the Governor’s Export Awards, which honors North Carolina companies for their growing sales success in international markets across seven categories. The top award, the Governor’s Award for Excellence, is given to a North Carolina company that has made significant contributions in the effort to increase the state’s exports. The 2023 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence was Sciencix.  

Based in Cary, Sciencix manufacturers, services and replaces High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) instrumentation parts. In 2023, Sciencix traveled to the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Malta, India, North America, Australia, and more visiting customers, growing its sales by five percentage points. Sciencix was also named the US Small Business Administration’s 2023 National Exporter of the Year. 

“We chose North Carolina as our business headquarters location in 2019 for a reason, and it has exceeded our expectations with the support we have received from the EDPNC. The resources they provide, including the STEP Grant, have made a direct and tremendous impact on our business growth during years when many businesses have struggled coming out of the pandemic,” said Raj Bhandari, president of Sciencix. “Our international sales have grown every year with the EDPNC’s support, and we are honored to be part of North Carolina’s thriving international business community.”