Stein, Commerce secretary promote North Carolina investment ties in Switzerland, Germany
RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley traveled to Switzerland and Germany over the past week to promote North Carolina for economic development investment and tourism, according to the governor’s office.
The trip focused on business recruitment, foreign investment and tourism ties with two European markets that already have a significant presence in North Carolina.
The governor’s office said more than 400 German and Swiss companies operate in North Carolina and employ about 32,000 residents. Over the past decade, more than 120 German and Swiss companies have announced projects expected to create more than 11,400 jobs and bring nearly $5.2 billion in capital investment to the state.
In Switzerland, Stein joined Rahul Sahgal, executive director of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, for a fireside chat about business ties between Switzerland and North Carolina. The governor also met with Swiss companies, including companies that have recently announced investments in North Carolina.
According to the governor’s office, more than 80 Swiss-based companies employ more than 8,000 North Carolinians. Over the past decade, 19 Swiss companies have announced investments expected to bring 3,800 jobs and $2.5 billion in capital investment to North Carolina.
The office also cited recent Swiss-connected projects, including Novartis’ pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion in Research Triangle Park and Genentech’s manufacturing plant in Holly Springs.
In Germany, Stein addressed business executives at the 11th annual German American Business Forum. Lilley participated in a panel discussion focused on geopolitical and state-level investment considerations for German small and midsized companies.
Visit NC also joined the trip to promote North Carolina tourism. The governor’s office said Germany is the state’s second-largest European tourism market and that nearly 44,000 German visitors came to North Carolina in 2024.
More than 200 German-based companies employ more than 24,000 people in North Carolina, according to the governor’s office. Over the past decade, 100 German companies have invested more than $2.6 billion and brought more than 7,000 new jobs to the state.
The governor’s office said the top countries investing in North Carolina since 2020 are Japan, Germany, China, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.
