New international office to continue building trade and investment relations
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) today announced the opening of a new international office to serve the United Kingdom (U.K.) and Irish markets. Located in London, the U.K. and Republic of Ireland (Ireland) office will be led by Managing Director Roxana Gonzalez to bolster the state’s transatlantic trade and investment efforts.
Establishing a presence in the U.K. and Ireland builds upon the December 2022 memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by South Carolina and the U.K. to strengthen cooperation and trade relations. The new office will develop opportunities for foreign direct investment in the state – particularly in the life sciences, automotive and advanced energy sectors – as well as for exporting.
In 2023, the U.K. was South Carolina’s 5th largest trading partner, accounting for $2.9 billion in combined import and export activity. Since 2017, the U.K. and Ireland have accounted for $362.1 million in investment and over 2,000 jobs in South Carolina.
“South Carolina’s ability to foster business relationships on a global scale continues to serve as a catalyst for economic prosperity,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “This new office in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland will reinforce this trend and strengthen our state’s global reputation as the ideal place to do business.”
To spearhead these efforts, the agency selected seasoned trade and economic development professional Roxana Gonzalez to serve as managing director of the U.K. and Ireland office. With an extensive background in international business development, Gonzalez brings an experienced perspective on foreign direct investment and trade relations, most recently serving as the state of Florida’s lead for investment from the U.K. and Ireland.
“South Carolina is a global state with an impressive history in foreign direct investment and trade,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “Our new office, under the leadership of Roxana Gonzalez, symbolizes the strength of South Carolina’s relationships with the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and the opportunities they will continue to create for the people of our state.”
The U.K. and Ireland office is being managed through international business development consultancy, Intralink.
Since the mid-1970s, S.C. Commerce has maintained operations in Europe to serve and stimulate the interest of European firms looking to invest in South Carolina. In addition to the European office, located in Germany, the state also has existing international representation in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.