Governor Henry McMaster was joined by German Ambassador to the United States of America Jens Hanefeld today to sign a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI), formally establishing a new economic partnership between South Carolina and Germany. The agreement is designed to attract new jobs and investment, accelerate innovation, and expand business opportunities within the state.
The new partnership is seen by state officials as a powerful tool to enhance South Carolina’s competitiveness in the global economy. The agreement prioritizes collaboration and cooperation in three key strategic areas:
- Energy Resiliency and Sustainability
- Automotive and Mobility Technologies
- Life Sciences
The JDI establishes a working group that will meet to coordinate joint initiatives. These efforts include workforce development, identifying further business partnerships, exchanging technical and scientific information, and facilitating collaborative research and development projects.
Germany is already South Carolina’s largest export partner. In 2024, the total trade volume between the two entities reached an impressive $13 billion. South Carolina is currently home to 270 German companies, which collectively employ over 44,000 South Carolinians.
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