A dynamic port helped fuel the Houston area's development as a center of international business and trade. But companies that do business internationally also find Houston attractive because of its well-developed financial infrastructure, skilled work force and diverse population. Ample space and favorable conditions for industrial development, as well as for cargo handling, make Houston a choice location for industry.

Houston's geographic location has proven to be one of its best assets. Centrally located on the Gulf Coast, Houston is a strategic gateway for cargo originating in or destined for the U.S. West and Midwest. Houston lies within close reach of one of the nation's largest concentrations of consumers. More than 17 million people live within 300 miles of the city, and approximately 60 million live within 700 miles. Ample truck, rail and air connections allow shippers to economically transport their goods between Houston and inland points.

Houston is a multicultural community and a thriving international business center. Houston's eight-county metro area is home to 56 percent of the Texas companies that have operations in other countries and 52 percent of the foreign companies with Texas offices, according to the Texas Department of Economic Development.

Houston has the nation's third largest consular corps with 82 nations represented. Additionally, the Bayou City has 25 foreign banks, 42 international chambers of commerce and trade associations, and numerous Houston operations of foreign-owned companies. Consequently, Houston is home to a large group of international citizens.

In additional to being a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity, Houston is a major corporate center. Houston is one of only eight U.S. cities to have a regional office of the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Not only do 20 Fortune 500 companies call Houston home, but the city also ranks as one of the leading cities in the nation for new business growth, according to American Business Information. Also, Houston is one of the nation's "top 25 cities for entrepreneurs" in 2003, according to Entrepreneur and Dun & Bradstreet.

Houston's numerous assets have resulted in the region becoming a high-technology and manufacturing center. In 2001, Industry Week ranked Houston as one of 12 world-class communities for manufacturing for the fourth consecutive year. Only three other US cities made that 2001 listing.

The Port of Houston has been instrumental in the city of Houston's development as a center of international trade. About 88 steamship lines offer service linking Houston with 1,053 ports in 203 countries. It is also home to a $15 billion petrochemical complex, the largest in the nation and second largest worldwide.