North Carolina Trade Resources​

1. NC Department of Commerce – International Trade Division – North Carolina’s international trade managers help North Carolina companies successfully enter worldwide markets with value-added services. Preparing marketing plans, Handling export operations, Providing Market Research, Identifying best market prospects, Advising on finance and insurance options and Working to find customers and partners.
2. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)– is focused on recruiting new businesses to the state, supporting the needs of existing businesses, connecting exporters to global customers, helping small business owners get their start, and attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world.
3. Go Global NC – (formerly the Center for International Understanding) connects North Carolina and the world. Since 1979, our international education and training programs have empowered North Carolina leaders with the skills, understanding, connections, and knowledge to succeed in a global community. Go Global NC’s work strengthens North Carolina to act, grow, and prosper.
4. NC Small Business and Technology Development Center – The North Carolina SBTDC is a business advisory resource for growing and developing businesses. Our highly skilled professionals provide services statewide from offices hosted by campuses of The University of North Carolina System. The SBTDC operates in formal partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, making it a unique and valued asset in the economic development infrastructure of North Carolina. 
5. International Business Development – SBTDC’s International Business Development team of Certified Global Business Professionals assists business owners and their managers with trusted advice on global business management, global marketing, supply chain management and trade finance.
6. NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – International Marketing  divisions have responsibilities in regulatory and service areas covering agronomy; animal health; weights and measures; gas and oil inspection; crop and livestock statistics; USDA commodity distribution; state farm operations; food, drug and cosmetic testing for purity; agricultural marketing and promotion; agricultural marketing grading; international agricultural crop and livestock marketing.
7. NC Department of Transportation – International Trade – A Global Leader in Providing Innovative Transportation Solutions North Carolina’s experiencing tremendous population growth as well as new challenges and opportunities. More emphasis than ever before is on transportation, and that means leveraging all state’s transportation infrastructure to ensure a vibrant and healthy economy for future generations.
8. NC Biotechnology Center – North Carolina is leading the push toward better healthcare, faster diagnostics and more sustainable food production all the while, creating jobs right here in our state. This economic transformation is why the General Assembly has funded us for three decades and continues its commitment today.
9. NC Chamber – A Force for Business- Working to establish and maintain North Carolina as a national leader for private sector job growth, making North Carolina a top state in which to work and live. Learn more about our mission, vision and core values.
10. NC World Trade Association – The North Carolina World Trade Association (NCWTA) was established in 1964 and serves professionals involved in the trade of goods and services internationally. The organization also promotes the growth of international commerce between North Carolina and the world. Recognized as the “voice of international trade in North Carolina,” NCWTA fosters relationships between individuals, companies, and organizations that seek trade expansion for the state.
11. NCWTA is composed of a state board and regional chapters. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in world trade and commerce. Members include manufacturers, exporters, importers, and service providers as well as academic and governmental leaders. Each regional chapter holds regular seminars, webinars and chapter meetings providing valuable knowledge-building and networking opportunities.
12. North Carolina Ports – ONE STATE. TWO PORTS. EXTENSIVE CAPABILITIES. North Carolina Ports offers two excellent port locations, Wilmington and Morehead City, both with unique benefits. The Port of Wilmington has three neo-Panamax cranes and four post-Panamax container cranes. The Port of Morehead City is just four miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Both offer extensive warehousing and open storage. And both provide easy access to interstate highways and major railroads. Our customer-focused approach also means shippers receive excellent port communication and customized service. Customers experience the fastest turn times on the United States East Coast. And our expanding storage capabilities, including Wilmington’s 101,000-square-foot, on-terminal cold storage facility, can accommodate more customers than ever.
13. NC Manufacturing Extension Partnership – The State Alliance For Manufacturing Growth.    The North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) is a network of North Carolina organizations that provide extension services designed to enhance the productivity, innovative capacity and technological performance of NC manufacturing companies. Together, we work for a common goal of providing solutions and services that help our clients save time and energy, improve productivity, increase sales, improve profits and create and retain jobs. NCMEP is the official representative of the MEP National Network ™, a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, and NIST MEP in North Carolina.
14. NC Department of Revenue – The North Carolina Department of Revenue is a cabinet-level executive agency charged with administering tax laws and collecting taxes on behalf of the people of the State. The Secretary of Revenue is appointed by the Governor.
15. NC Department of Environmental Quality – Providing Science-Based environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of ALL North Carolinians.
16. NC Bar Association – The North Carolina Bar Association is a voluntary membership organization of lawyers, judges, paralegals and law students dedicated to serving the public and the legal profession.
17. NC State Bar – The North Carolina State Bar was created in 1933 by the North Carolina General Assembly as the government agency responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in North Carolina. The State Bar currently regulates over 30,000 licensed lawyers. Protection of the public and protection of our system of justice are the objectives of regulation. We Are Not the North Carolina Bar Association The North Carolina State Bar and the North Carolina Bar Association are separate and distinct organizations. The State Bar is a government agency. All licensed North Carolina lawyers must be members of the State Bar. The North Carolina Bar Association is a non-governmental, voluntary, professional organization that lawyers may join, but they are not required to do so to practice law in North Carolina. The Bar Association provides programs and services that promote the legal profession, assist its lawyer-members, and advance the administration of justice.
18. NC State University – Office of Global Engagement – The Office of Global Engagement at NC State University provides leadership in global initiatives, programs, and services for the University community, which is focused on expanding and supporting the university’s global activities, involvement, and impact. This is demonstrated by our strategic planning, implementation and support, assessment, partnership building and management, university relations and diplomacy, student engagement, faculty research facilitation, financial and human resource within the division, and internal and external communications.
19. NC Community Colleges – Global Education Programs – The mission of the North Carolina Community College System is to open the door to high-quality, accessible educational opportunities that minimize barriers to post-secondary education, maximize student success, develop a globally and multi-culturally competent workforce, and improve the lives and well-being of individuals.
20. NC Institute of Minority Economic Development – Global Business Center – Strengthens the asset base of diverse populations through policy, education, and economic opportunities, creating an environment in which race, gender, and geography are no longer a barrier to prosperity.
21. North Carolina Technology Association – NC TECH is a not-for-profit, membership-driven trade association and the primary voice of the technology industry in North Carolina. NC TECH’s mission is to foster growth and champion innovation in North Carolina’s tech sector, while providing a voice for the tech community. NC TECH’s membership includes 600+ member companies, organizations and institutions employing more than 200,000 workers in North Carolina.
22. North Carolina Rural Center – The NC Rural Center’s mission is to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. We serve the state’s 78 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.
23. NC Department of Cultural and Natural Resources – The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources oversees the state’s resources for the arts, history, libraries and nature. We’re home to the state’s 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C. Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office, Office of State Archaeology, the African American Heritage Commission, and the Office of Land and Water Stewardship.
24. The Small Business Expo – America’s Biggest Business Networking and Educational Event for Business Owners, Start-Ups and Entrepreneurs.  The City of Charlotte usually host an event annually at the Charlotte Convention Center.  The Small Business Expo Charlotte’s  BIGGEST business networking & educational event for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs. Come join other passionate Charlotte Business Owners and learn how to increase revenue & grow your business.
25. Charlotte Regional Business Alliance – THE CLT ALLIANCE IS THE VOICE OF BUSINESS AND ONLY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION THAT, Grows the economy through business recruitment, marketing, and lead generation. Advocated for Business so organizations here can thrive and convenes DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS to Solve Difficult Challenges for the Charlotte Region.  We enthusiastically collaborate to promote and advance the Charlotte Region, creating opportunity, economic growth, and prosperity for all.
26. Charlotte Got A lot – Explore the Queen City called Charlotte for Things to Do, Places to Stay, Best Places to Eat and Drink and More. Your One Stop City Guide
27. Greensboro Chamber of Commerce – The Greensboro NC Chamber of Commerce will help you start a business, grow a business or move a business to Greensboro. We are here to help you succeed.
28. City of Greensboro NC – The official City of Greensboro website will help you plan your next visit to the city with a rich history and a strong educational, business and government resources.
29. Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau – The Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority whose mission is to aggressively market Greensboro’s assets, maximizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service. Guilford County ranks third in the state in travel and tourism expenditures, with over $1.3 billion generated in 2016 and more than 13,500 people employed in travel-related jobs.
30. Visit Raleigh NC– Official Tourism Site for the State Capital- Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina and the seat of Wake County in the United States. It is the second-most populous city in North Carolina, after Charlotte. Raleigh is the tenth-most populous city in the Southeast, the 41st-most populous city in the U.S., and the largest city of the Research Triangle metro area. Raleigh is known as the “City of Oaks” for its many oak trees, which line the streets in the heart of the city. The city covers a land area of 147.6 sq mi (382 km2). The U.S. Census Bureau counted the city’s population as 467,665 in the 2020 census. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. The city of Raleigh is named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who established the now-lost Roanoke Colony in present-day Dare County.

THE N.C. Entrepreneurs Spotlight

1. Bye Bye Parabens – The product has also been featured in Vogue UK and Essence Magazine. Visit the website at bybyeparabens.com to learn more about her global hair care product that is adding to the health and wellness of women hair around the world.
2. Hight Point Furniture Market – The Largest Home Furnishings Market Awaits you in High Point North Carolina. Inspiration abounds every spring and fall as High Point Market comes alive with showroom after showroom of meticulous design, more educational opportunities than several conferences combined, endless networking opportunities, and the resources you need to move your business forward. Whether you’re coming for the tens of thousands of new product introductions, the critical connections your business needs you to make, or just to tap into the greatest minds in the business, it’s all here. Just for you. Who’s Eligible? Members of the home furnishings industry including factoring companies, manufacturers not exhibiting in High Point, trade association execs, advertising/ marketing/public relations, consultants, companies providing services to High Point Market exhibitors, suppliers of fabric, springs, foam, furniture finishes, etc.