South Raleigh News

Governor Cooper traveled to Switzerland for an economic development trip, meeting with 14 companies including Syngenta, ABB, and Novartis on Wednesday and Thursday. He also held discussions with Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. Additionally, the Governor hosted a roundtable with various companies and officials, including US Deputy Chief of Mission Brad Bell.

The primary focus of these meetings was to discuss investment opportunities and job creation in North Carolina. Switzerland ranks as the fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment in the state.

The North Carolina delegation accompanying the Governor includes First Lady Kristin Cooper, officials from the Office of the Governor, NC Department of Commerce, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). The delegation plans to meet representatives from 20 companies as well as regional trade associations and senior government officials during this trip.

Currently, over 1,700 foreign companies operate in North Carolina supporting approximately 303,600 jobs. In the past decade alone, more than 550 companies have announced new projects in the state resulting in 59,000 jobs and $36 billion in capital investment. Germany is identified as the second-largest source of foreign direct investment in North Carolina after Japan, while Switzerland ranks fifth and France twelfth.

Governor Cooper will maintain regular contact with his Cabinet Secretaries and staff back home throughout his trip to continue directing state business.

###