CORAL GABLES, Fla. (September 6, 2019) – Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) will lead a delegation of small and mid-sized Florida businesses on an export sales mission to Bogota, Colombia from November 18-21. Registration opened May 1.

“Colombia is a growing market within Latin America and presents tremendous opportunities for Florida exporters,” said Manny Mencia, senior vice president of international trade and development for EFI. “This trade mission is a unique opportunity for small Florida companies looking to establish a footprint in a large hemispheric market with great potential.”

Colombia is the fourth-largest economy in Latin America and has the third-largest population in the region. Since 2012, tariffs have been eliminated on over 80 percent of consumer and industrial goods exported to Colombia as a result of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

The industry sectors listed below provide some of the best opportunities for exports for Florida companies. If your industry is not mentioned below, contact EFI for a no-obligation assessment.

• Agricultural Equipment
• Automotive
• Defense
• Education
• Electric Power & Renewable Energy Systems
• Information & Communication Technology & Services
• Infrastructure
• Medical Equipment
• Travel & Tourism
• Water Treatment Systems
• Processed Food & Beverages

With $7.2 billion in two-way trade, Florida accounts for 27 percent of all U.S. trade with Colombia – more than any other state. Florida exported nearly $4.2 billion of merchandise to Colombia in 2017, making the country Florida’s second-largest export market.

Florida companies can participate in pre-screened one-on-one “Gold Key” meetings with local Colombian companies interested in their product line, coordinated by the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS). The price of the Gold Key Package Registration is $1,300. Gold Key participation will be limited to Florida manufacturers and professional service companies that best meet the participation criteria. Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. This option is limited to 20 Florida companies.

Companies that qualify for Gold Key meetings as a “small business,” based on Small Business Administration criteria, are eligible for a grant from EFI which will reimburse 100 percent of the Gold Key Package Registration fee. A separate online application will be provided to companies once they are approved by the USCS for the Gold Key Package.

The Gold Key registration deadline is September 13.

For more details and questions regarding registration, please contact Alejandra Henao at ahenao@enterpriseflorida.com and (305) 808-3670 or Christopher Munoz at cmunoz@enterpriseflorida.com and (305) 808-3386.

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention; small business growth through international trade and exporting programs; promotion of sporting events; promotion and protection of Florida’s military bases; and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.

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