A recent trade mission to Paris, France, by Houston officials could help the city capitalize on the development and use of environmentally friendly energy sources, according to District K Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum.
Castex-Tatum, who serves as vice mayor pro tem and chairs the council’s economic development committee, led the business delegation from Houston, which included District H Council Member Karla Cisneros.
The mission included building ties with Paris-based TotalEnergies, a global company that produces and markets key energy sources such as oil and biofuels, natural gas and “green” gases and renewable sources such as wind and solar power. The company has 100,000 employees worldwide, with an office in Houston.
Castex-Tatum shared thoughts about the trip:
Deputy CEO Pierre-Emmanuel Lecerf welcomes Castex-Tatum to Musée d’Orsay
Q: What issues did you discuss there?
A: The mission trip focused on promoting Houston as a leader in innovation, energy transition, and education while enhancing key government and business relationships between the Houston region and Paris.
Q: Some of your constituents may doubt that a trade mission to France helps them. Please explain the benefits of such a trip to people in your district.
A: The Houston-Galveston Customs District is the fourth busiest gateway for U.S.-French trade, and France is Houston’s sixth-largest European trading partner. From 2012 to 2021, trade between Houston and France averaged $4.2 billion annually and was valued at $5.5 billion in ’21.
Houston is a leader in start-up eco-systems throughout the energy and medical sectors. District K is less than 10 miles from the innovation corridor and the ION on Main, making these resources convenient to our residents.
Rice University has opened the Global Paris Center, which will make a global education attainable for students. The center is the university’s first campus in Europe. It will be home to short and long-term student programs, independent researchers, international conferences and strategic partnerships.
Companies such as Schlumberger employ over 10,000 Houstonians, making them a valued employer in our city. There are 25 Houston firms operating 46 subsidiary locations in France, including Baker Hughes, Hines, Huntsman, NOV and Schlumberger.
Sixty-three French firms operate 112 subsidiaries in the Houston area, including Air Liquide, Arkema, EDF Trading North America, Engie North America and Total Petrochemicals & Refining. More than 5,100 people living in metro Houston were born in France.
When Houston does well, District K residents also have the opportunity to do well.
Opening the Rice Global Paris Center with former unviersity president David Leebron
Q: I understand that you are of French heritage. Did anyone bring that up during the trade mission?
A: I am originally from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and I was able to communicate and understand the French language because of the similarity to the Creole language my parents and family speak in Louisiana. I was also intrigued to see the former prime minister of France is named Jean Castex. Castex is such a rare name so I wouldn’t be surprised if we were related in some way.
Q: What surprised you most about the trip?
A: This was my first trip to Paris so I was taking in all the experiences. I was surprised at how many hours of daylight they have in Paris. It doesn’t get dark until after 10 p.m. and the sun comes up very early. They don’t get as many dark hours as we do. I also didn’t realize how dense Paris was. The streets are very narrow and residents use several methods of transportation in the same narrow lanes.
Q: Where else would you like to go to promote trade with Houston?
A: I am scheduled to lead a group of business owners on a trade mission to Panama in August (18-23). We will visit the Panama Canal and explore global opportunities for the business delegates on the trip. When we position ourselves to build international business ties, the entire city can potentially benefit through jobs and growth in our economy.
The Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs helped organize the trade mission to Paris. Others in the delegation included the Honorable Valerie Baraban, consul general of France in Houston; Susan Davenport, chief economic development officer of the Greater Houston Partnership; and Pierre Bang, president and CEO of TotalEnergies Exploration and Production USA.
