Louisiana’s economy is global in its scope, scale and attractiveness to foreign investors.
More than 560 companies, hailing from more than 55 nations, are deploying record-breaking amounts of Foreign Direct Investment capital in Louisiana’s economy, driving the creation of new jobs, new industries and impressive, sustainable growth. Investments made in the state’s economy by non-U.S. companies demonstrate to the world that Louisiana is the place where global leaders begin, build and broaden their business success.
Indeed, Louisiana is a leader in the U.S., not just in the amount of FDI deployed into the state’s economy, but also in the ability to leverage foreign investment to promote a diversified state economy positioned for sustained and long-term growth.
International companies added $7.3 billion in capital investment in Louisiana in 2021 alone, creating 3,700+ new jobs. From 2003 to the present, more than 145 projects launched in Louisiana by international companies have generated over $42.9 billion dollars in FDI. Since 2008, Louisiana has attracted more FDI per capita than any other state in the nation.
Today, the economic activity generated by Louisiana’s more than 560 foreign companies contributes to more than 76,000 jobs for hard-working Louisianans across every region of the state. And the relationship between FDI and job creation continues to grow.
“In an era of increasing globalization, it is essential for us to show leadership and support of Foreign Direct Investment in Louisiana, in a positive, open and fair manner.” - Governor John Bel Edwards
Since 2010, employment derived from Foreign Direct Investment in Louisiana’s economy has grown more than 20 percent. International companies that are investing and building a shared future with the citizens represent a diverse and dynamic array of business activity.
Manufacturing continues to provide the largest share of FDI in Louisiana’s economy, while also creating the largest amount of FDI-based employment, generating 20,000 jobs statewide. Other industries benefiting from a significant FDI boost include software and IT services, energy, business services, chemicals and industrial equipment manufacturers.
Although Louisiana enjoys robust and direct economic relations with over 55 nations, five well-known countries provide a majority — about 58 percent — of the state’s FDI-based economic activity. In 2020, the United Kingdom accounted for nearly one-fourth (24%) of FDI in Louisiana. Other nations providing large amounts of Louisiana FDI include Canada (10%), Germany (10%), Japan (7%) and France (7%).
Louisiana has ranked as the first or second-largest per-capita recipients of FDI in the U.S. every year since 2008. They have done so by continuing to champion a broad range of policies – including tax incentives, enterprise zones and workforce training – while also developing technologies, such as SmartPort, that bolster the transportation and logistics capacity so critical to international trade.
