International Trade and Exporting

Overview

Companies that export experience faster growth, pay higher wages and fare better during domestic slowdowns. Tremendous opportunities exist for Rhode Island companies overseas. Rhode Island's export shipments of merchandise in 2007 totaled $1.6 billion, up 40 percent from the $1.2 billion exported in 2003.

Rhode Island exported to 154 foreign destinations in 2007. The state's largest market that year by far was NAFTA member Canada, which received goods exports of $533 million, or 32 percent of Rhode Island's total exports that year. Canada was followed by the United Kingdom ($96 million), Germany ($88 million), Mexico ($71 million), and Turkey ($69 million). 

Whether you are looking for foreign business partners and customers or need customized export training, the RIEDC can help. RIEDC’s export team offers customized business matches to identify foreign sales and distribution channels in over 70 countries (Market Entry Program), specialized training for management and staff to learn the nuances and mechanics of international trade (Customized Export Training Grants) and participation in business development missions to international markets (Trade Mission and Trade Show program).

We encourage you to take advantage of our customized export tools to help you navigate and establish sales & distribution channels in international markets and to acquire the skills necessary to export successfully.



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