The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) has opened seven international representative locations to provide export promotion and assistance to Minnesota companies selling goods and services globally and to attract foreign investment from companies looking to do business in Minnesota.

Offices are located in:

• Canada
• Mexico
• Japan
• European Union
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• ASEAN region (Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei).

The seven international representatives are either private contractors or consulting firms with knowledge in international trade and foreign direct investment. Minnesota exported $21 billion of goods to 203 different countries in 2017. Canada, Mexico, Asia and the European Union are Minnesota’s largest export markets.

International trade supports about 118,000 jobs in Minnesota, and more than 100,000 Minnesota jobs are supported by foreign-owned enterprises operating in Minnesota.

Minnesota Companies Set Record for Export Sales in a First Quarter: $5.3 Billion

Minnesota agricultural, mining and manufactured exports soared 9 percent to a first quarter record of $5.3 billion as demand for Minnesota-made products grows in virtually every region of the world.

Businesses exported 930 different products to 187 countries during the quarter.

Asia was the state’s top export region, with sales climbing 21 percent to $2 billion. Minnesota exports grew 1 percent to $1.6 billion in North America and 9 percent to $1.2 billion in Europe. Exports sales also climbed in Central and South America (up 2 percent), the Middle East (up 2 percent) and Africa (up 34 percent). The Australia-Pacific area (down 18 percent) was the only major region where sales fell.

Minnesota’s top national market was Canada, with sales climbing 10 percent from a year ago to $1 billion.Optics/medical was the top-selling product at $1.1 billion in sales, an increase of 23 percent from the first quarter one year ago.

The full first quarter 2018 export report is available.

Canada – Logistics, E-Commerce and Best Practices

Join us on July 16 for a comprehensive review of shipping goods to Canada – our top national market – and logistics options to streamline your process. The Non-Resident Importer (NRI) program, valuation, tax obligations, tips for e-commerce shipments, current border initiatives, best practices, and more will be covered by presenters from FedEx Trade Networks.

When: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Mon., July 16
Where: DEED Conference Center, 1st National Bank Bldg, St. Paul

More Information | Register

For more information contact Barbara Mattson at 651-259-7490.