Global Ties

A hub of international business activity, Chicago is home to well over 1,800 foreign-based companies, and with more than $140 billion in foreign direct investment

Strategic Focus

Top U.S. city for foreign direct investment for the past seven years, according to IBM’s annual Global Location Trends report.

Chicago’s robust international business resources include 80+ Consulates and Consuls General, and 100+ international/ethnic Chambers of Commerce and international trade-based organizations.

Chicago’s 29 international sister cities also help to strengthen and expand the city’s global partnerships.

#1

Top ranked destination in the U.S. for foreign direct investment

Trending Global Location

IBM's Global Location Trends 2019 Annual Report ranks Chicago the top U.S. city for foreign direct investment (FDI), for the seventh consecutive year

Global Strategic Partnerships

China Gateway Cities Agreement | Mexico City Global Cities Economic Partnership | London City Data Alliance | Tel Aviv-Yafo Partnership | Japan Economic Partnership | Paris Economic Partnership

Photo: “Pudong Skyline” by Eugene Lim
6

Global Strategic Partnerships

29

Chicago Sister Cities in 29 countries around the world

Global Partnerships

As a division of WBC, Chicago Sister Cities International advances Chicago as a global city and promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation through citizen diplomacy for the benefit of Chicago and its sister cities

Chicago Sister Cities International

Specialized Services

Businesses in the Chicago area benefit greatly from a sizable and concentrated pool of specialized services.

Prominent companies in advertising, management consulting, finance, human resources, accounting, law and logistics all serve to promote businesses in Chicago and around the world.

Whether your business operates on a local, national or global scale, everyone benefits.

Find out more

Chicago’s Business Climate