Global Export Fuels City's Economy

TRADING HUB: An estimated 320.9 million metric tons of goods went through Houston/Galveston ports in 2018.

By: Enzo Mungu

In 2018, Houston exported more than $120.7 billion worth of goods, making it the top exporting metropolitan area in the United States, followed by New York with $97.7 billion and Los Angeles with $69.8 billion. That same year, an estimated 320.9 million metric tons of goods also went through Houston/Galveston ports.

With more than 183 trading partners, with the top three being Mexico, Brazil and China, and over 45 countries with more than $1 billion in bilateral trade, the City of Houston is a behemoth in global trade.

Thanks to such partnerships, more than 11,000 exporters linked to the City of Houston can find ready markets for their revenue-generating products, which enables the city’s economy to thrive.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in tremendous losses globally, in various industries, global trade has been hit especially hard, resulting in an unprecedented drop in global export. However, as the fourth and soon to be third largest city in the United States, Houston’s economy remains resilient.

Even with the pandemic, local business owners can still look toward exporting their goods globally, said Raoul Keddy, an international business consultant and president of the Africa International Chamber of Commerce (AICC). To do this, they should understand how business is carried out in the country with which they intend to do business.

“Understand the culture and know that the process for one to do business in the United States is, for the most part, very different compared to outside the US,” Keddy said. “I highly emphasize the use of consultants who can guide business owners through establishing trade partnerships with other businesses abroad.”

EXPORT: Trade missions can foster new connections

In previous years, Keddy has been instrumental in planning and organizing meetings and trade missions, including the City of Houston/Port of Houston partnership with the Port of Gabon, and City of Houston partnerships with the City of Yaoundé 2 in Cameroon and the City of Niamey in Niger.

Keddy has also facilitated a partnership between the City of Houston and the Republic of Guinea, where he organized a meeting between Mayor Sylvester Turner and the president of the Republic of Guinea – His Excellency Alpha Conde. With the prospect of a partnership, Keddy also helped set a meeting between Mayor Turner and Ambassador Seydou Kabore from Burkina Faso.

Partnerships between the Greater Houston Partnership with the Port of Gabon as well as the City of Yaoundé 2 were also initiated by Keddy to encourage B2B relationships between businesses in the city and those in various countries on the African continent.

Raoul Keddy

In addition to Africa, there is no part of the world that Houston doesn’t touch. More than 1,700 foreign-owned firms, 91 countries with official government offices, 56 international chambers, as well as numerous trade associations, commercial offices, and over 17 foreign banks are represented within the City.

Several trade partnerships have been formed in recent years with these countries, whose markets can be tapped by Houston exporters. And, thanks to Mayor Turner and various stakeholders to foreign trade partnerships, Houston has witnessed an increase in business-to-business (B2B) relationships.

Those wanting to form new partnerships can look toward City of Houston leadership and collaboration with various chambers, business owners and consultants who understand the need for a continuous increase in trade partnership agreements. Consultants can also help forge and sustain such partnerships, which bolsters Houston’s economy.

“If possible – and when it is safe to travel again – jump into a trade mission so you can meet the people on the ground, including other business owners,” Keddy said. “Or, figure out a way to connect with a partner with whom you can exchange products.”