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International
business community reflects Houston's global status
By
Frances Allday
As Houston has grown to be the fourth largest city in
the U.S., it has also emerged as one of the prominent international
centers of commerce in the country. Home to the Port of Houston and an
international airport, it has attracted not only world trade but the many
businesses that provide services and operations to support trade.
In fact, among U.S. ports Houston is ranked first
in volume of foreign tonnage, and second in total tonnage. Its leading
trading partners are Mexico, Saudi Arabia, China, Venezuela, and Brazil.
The top five commodities traded last year were petroleum and petroleum
products, industrial equipment and computers, organic chemicals, iron and
steel, and plastics. Houston's foreign air cargo has also increased with
Europe and Asia accounting for much of the trade.
Houston now has 1,365 importing companies, which account
for 40% of the importers in Texas. It has also maintained its ranking as
the second largest exporter, trailing only New York. It leads Texas in the
number of businesses with international ties. According to the Greater
Houston Partnership, nearly 470 Houston firms report having offices abroad
in 122 countries, and more than 640 firms have foreign ownership. Their
survey results show 103 countries have business or government
representation in Houston. In total, international activities here include
more than 3,053 companies and organizations involved in providing
services. This includes 24 foreign banks in the Houston area representing
thirteen foreign countries.
According to the Census Bureau's American
Community Survey of 2006, 21.5% of Houston residents are foreign born.
Mexico, Central America, and South America account for 70.9% of the
foreign-born population, while Asian nations make up 21%. Houston has
non-stop or direct flights to 64 international destinations. It is not
surprising that foreign governments have established 90 consular officers
in the Houston area for international travelers to have access to
consulate representation.
International commerce has cultivated ethnic
enclaves around the City and spawned organizations dedicated to forming
alliances to promote trade. Some have emerged to promote areas or
products, like the Economic Alliance Port Region and the Coffee
Association, while others such as the Greater Houston Partnership promote
overall trade.
The southwest area of Houston contains one of the
most dense corridors of international businesses in the city. More than 60
languages are spoken in this diverse and multicultural community of
residents and business owners encompassing miles of city streets west of
the Beltway. The State recently created an International Management
District for a 16 square mile area to help the area manage its increasing
problems of crime and traffic congestion. Taxes collected from the
businesses within the District will be used for public projects and
services to improve the area.
One of the first new constructions in the
District was the 11,000 sq. ft. International Trade Center on Bellaire
Boulevard. Wea Lee, president and CEO of Southern News Group, built the
Center to stimulate trade and assist businesses in finding overseas
markets. The Center has two large meeting areas, and office space for more
than 25 companies. Tenants include small and medium-size companies engaged
in domestic and foreign trade. Offices include Congressman Al Green, State
Senator Rodney Ellis, the Department of Commerce, Vietnamese Chamber of
Commerce and other legal and consulate services. The Center also conducts
networking seminars and events to promote international trade and
encourage business interest in exporting and importing.
Although international trade is also affected by
the downturn in the world economy, it offers Houston a potential growth
opportunity that could help improve its own economy. The City also has
much to offer the international community with top universities, a very
large medical center, a vibrant energy sector, and abundant land for
development. The face of Houston is global and its future will always be
interwoven with the world marketplace.
The International Trade Center
on Bellaire
Frances Allday was a specialist in commercial trade
with U.S. Customs and Border Protection for 25 years
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