News
Miami-Dade County's Business Development Mission to Madrid & Barcelona, Kingdom of Spain
Save-The-Dates: June 8 - 15, 2013
What: Business Development Mission to the Kingdom of Spain
Where: Madrid & Barcelona
Spanish companies have the largest number of representation of all foreign companies in the South Florida region and Spain was South Florida’s 39th largest trade partner with total bilateral trade valued at $570 million (2012). The Spanish government maintains a Consulate General, including a Trade Commission and regional trade offices, in Miami. Additionally, Miami-Dade County has been engaged in a Sister City relationship with the Cabildo of Tenerife in Spain since 1992, and PortMiami has International Sister Seaport affiliations with numerous ports in Spain.
The Spanish government and the United States enjoy long-standing political and commercial relationships. Spain has traditionally provided a healthy export market for U.S. companies. Floridians have been connected with the Spanish people since the Spanish explorer and conquistador, Juan Ponce de Leon first led a European expedition to Florida, 500 years ago (1513).
The best market prospects and leading sectors for U.S. exports and investment in Spain are listed below:
- Aerospace
- Agriculture
- Automobile
- Biotechnology
- E-Commerce
- Green Technology, Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Technologies
- Information & Communication Technology
- Medical Equipment
- Tourism
For further information about the mission costs, logistics and partnership sponsor levels, please contact Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert at (305) 375.3885 or mdreyfu@miamidade.gov.
Out-Bound The Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission to Medellin, Colombia
Save-The-Dates: April 17-20, 2013
What: Trade Mission to Colombia
Where: Medellin, Colombia
Medellin is an international city and destination of business and tourism. Medellin produces 67% of the Department of Antioquia’s GDP and 11% of the economy of Colombia, larger than cities like Tijuana, Panama City, Puebla, Cordoba, Guatemala City, San Jose, Quito, among others. (2010) Its market size is similar to that of Belo Horizonte, Quito, San Salvador, and larger than Guayaquil, Puebla, San Juan, Juarez City, San Jose, Porto Alegre, amoung others.
Miami-Dade County Business Development Mission to Costa Rica
Save-The-Dates: April 22-25, 2013
What: Business Development Mission to Costa Rica
Where: San Jose, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known as the “Switzerland of Central America”, with an estimated GDP of $40 billion in 2011 and a population of 4.6 million. The United States is Costa Rica’s main trading partner, accounting for about 40% of Costa Rica’s total imports. Total bi-lateral trade activity with the U.S. rose by over 57 percent from $10.3 billion (in 2009) to $16.2 billion (in 2011). This nation is South Florida’s 6th largest trading partner with a total bi-lateral trade of $5.34 billion in 2011 and South Florida exported $1.94 billion and imported $3.4 billion in 2011, capturing 33 percent of all Costa Rican shipments to the U.S.
CAFTA-DR’s came into effect on January 1, 2009 and represented a major step forward in the trade and investment relationship between Costa Rica and the United States. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has meant that more than 80 percent of all non-agricultural goods and more than 50 percent of agricultural products became duty-free immediately. Costa Rica’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) climbed steadily from $408 million (in 2000) to over $2 billion (in 2011). The FTA provided stronger protection for U.S. investors which account for approximately 62 percent of the total FDI in Costa Rica.
Best market prospect for U.S. businesses exist in the following sectors:
- Building/construction products
- Hotel and restaurant equipment
- Medical & dental equipment and technology
- Pharmaceuticals
- Auto parts and service equipment
- Travel and tourism
- Computer & computer parts
- Telecommunications
- Insurance sectors
For further information about the mission costs, logistics and partnership sponsor levels, please contact Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert at (305)375.3885 or mdreyfu@miamidade.gov. 
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