International firms invest £333m in city in one year
and Harbin in China.
And with COVID-19 providing a real threat to the global economy, Coun Miller said it was vital to maintain and develop Sunderland’s international engagement.
"For the majority of the year, before the impact of COVID-19 began to be felt, there's excellent figures and very good news in this report to our meeting,” he said.
"We've known for many years how our city's international engagement is important for investment, job creation and wider economic development in Sunderland.
"Economic development remains one of Sunderland's top priorities and we want to encourage all companies – from our large multi-nationals to our locally-owned small and medium sized businesses - to thrive in our city.
"We have strong business and education links, as well as important cultural ties, and, as circumstances allow, we look forward to expanding these – like we have done with our new Harbin health partnership.
"Sunderland has many friends abroad and we are continuing with our aims for a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant city. Our international connections are a big part of this."
The new figure of £333million for 2019/2020 compares to £45million of capital investment and 735 jobs created by overseas companies in the financial year of 2018/2019.
Coun Miller said significant investment has come in the Nissan supply chain and at other manufacturing projects such as Grundfos of Denmark and Snorkel.
International work during the last financial year has also seen: The fifth Sunderland Shorts Film Festival; Sunderland celebrating Chinese New Year; Sunderland and Saint-Nazaire concluding an EU-funded project on health education; and Sunderland and Harbin cooperating to deliver a partnership health project.