Business-to-Business Development / Foreign Direct Investment

The Chamber promotes international trade and business-to-business development between existing Dallas/Fort Worth companies and businesses overseas by hosting incoming delegations and by organizing trade missions to strategic global markets. The Chamber also works to bring investment and prospective business to the region. Together, the initiatives of business-to-business development and foreign direct investment establish the foundation for all other international initiatives. By seeking global markets where Dallas/Fort Worth businesses can excel, providing them with the tools to do so, and bringing investment and companies into the region, the Chamber accomplishes its goal of promoting economic growth in the region.

Priority World Regions

The Chamber values business with all global partners. We are currently expanding relationships with the following regions:

Visit our international statistics page to learn more about DFW trade volumes with other countries.

Priority Industries

The Chamber is proud to represent a region as diverse in economic activity as Dallas/Fort Worth and promotes growth in all sectors. Some industries that fare well in the international marketplace include:

• High Tech (telecommunications, data and computer management)
• Global Financial Services
• Life Sciences (Biopharma, Biotech and Medical Devices)
• Aviation & Aerospace
• Logistics and Distribution
• Defense Contracting

Visit our Import/Export page to see what products DFW most heavily trades internationally.

Current Opportunities for Participation

Executives around the Dallas/Fort Worth region recognize that the Chamber has something to offer in the arena of international business support. From 2001 to 2004, our volunteer leadership grew by 64%. Nevertheless, opportunities continue to grow. You can help us:

1. Set new targets, re-evaluate approaches to old targets. We set our priorities for trade and investment based first on dialogue with our volunteers and then with our own research. You are welcome to join in this dialogue at any time; we are here for our members.
   
   
2. Join or create a Task Force. As member of a task force, you help us draw up our development plans for target markets, participate in trade and investment missions, and welcome incoming delegations. Presently, we have task forces in place for the United Kingdom, NAFTA and China.
   
   
3. Establish a virtual office overseas. The Dallas Regional Chamber has several global virtual offices in our targeted world regions to provide foreign businesses and expatriates with a local contact for information on the Dallas/Fort Worth region. E-mail and voicemail will link to the Chamber in a matter of moments.

Strategic Partners for Global Business

The Dallas Regional Chamber has identified the American Chambers of Commerce in our target world regions so that we may construct a pipeline of information and business referrals. We have presented the Dallas/Fort Worth region as a potential partner for bilateral trade and investment as well as given the the AmCham's the opportunity to access important market analysis and identify growth opportunities for their businesses.

Communication Resources

The Chamber is currently developing web tools that will facilitate the communication between Dallas/Fort Worth businesses and businesses around the world with respect to trade and investment opportunities.

• Investment Web Portal
  Designed to capture the interest of foreign investors and direct them to the Dallas Regional Chamber and the Fort Worth Chamber for more information, this site provides a central point of contact for economic development in the region, and includes a link to a detailed presentation. The site also lists local companies ranked in the Fortune 500, along with major local firms owned by companies abroad, and emphasizes the region’s accolades in global trade, superior business climate, world class transportation and logistics services, and quality of life.
  
• Dallas-Beijing Website (in Mandarin)

2006 Accomplishments

International Economic Development

• Foreign company recruitment and expansion results: The Chamber was instrumental in at least 4 projects resulting in 705 new jobs for DFW.
• Completed 6 outbound trade and investment missions to China (2), India, South Korea, Mexico (2) and the United Kingdom.
• Presented DFW story to 16 incoming delegations interested in expanding operations into DFW.
• Established 4th virtual office in Monterrey, Mexico
• Established new foreign direct investment website portal in Mandarin, www.dallasbeijing.com.

International Legislative Initiatives

• Led public policy initiatives on employment-based immigration reform, multiple trade agreements and national security related to foreign investments and cargo security. 

International Programming

• Attracted largest audience to date (700) to the International Business Achievement Awards and increased small to mid-sized award involvement by 160%.
• Hosted nearly 3,000 attendees at international programming throughout the year.
• Launched new “Dialogue with Diplomats” series to reflect the expansion of the “Coffee with the Consuls” series to include ambassadors and other high-level dignitaries in addition to Consuls General and Trade Commissioners.