Growing globally.

• Position: Small Business Resource

North Carolina's merchandise exports broke a record with

$31 billion in 2014.

North Carolina, which does business with more than 200 countries, is the 5th largest exporter among 21 states in the Southeast.

Top 5 Trading Partners (2012)

Canada $7.0B Germany $1.0B Japan $1.7B China $2.5B Top 5 Industry Sectors (2012) Chemicals $5.3B Machinery Equipment $4.3B Transportation Equipment $3.1B Computers & Electronics $2.7B Textiles & Fabrics $1.8B Benefits of exporting

Exporting can help your business:

* Increase sales and profits

* Gain global market share

* Enhance domestic competitiveness

* Reduce dependence on existing markets

* Exploit technology and know-how

* Extend the sales potential of existing products

* Stabilize personal market fluctuations

* Sell excess production capacity

* Gain information about foreign competition

Export Assistance Resources

* US Small Business Administration: sba.gov

* US Commercial Service, trade.gov/cs

* US Export Assistance Center (USEAC): export.gov/northcarolina/

* Overseas Private Investment Corporation opic.gov

* NC Dept of Commerce, International Trade Division nccommerce.com/trade

* SBTDC International Business Development Program sbtdc.org/programs/export

Trade-offs of exporting

Your business may be required to:

* Use short-term profits to achieve long-term gains

* Modify your product or packaging

* Develop new promotional material

* Incur added administrative costs

* Dedicate personnel for export sales traveling

* Wait longer for payments

* Apply for export financing or credit insurance

* Obtain special export licenses

Getting started with exporting

* Evaluate your product s export potential

* Determine your company's export readiness

* Research and identify potential...