U.S. leads Latin American infrastructure trade mission

   The U.S. Commerce Department has selected 20 companies to join its deputy secretary, Rebecca Blank, on an infrastructure business development trade mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil; Bogota, Colombia; and Panama City, Panama, from May 12-18.
   “The governments of these countries have each outlined ambitious infrastructure development plans for the years ahead, and this trade mission will help U.S. companies in a broad range of infrastructure industry sectors make the connections they need to expand their business opportunities in Brazil, Colombia and Panama,” Commerce said.
   The mission will also highlight the successes in the U.S. trade relationships with Colombia and Panama, specifically, since free trade agreements with each country have taken effect. The deputy secretary and business delegation will be in Colombia on the one-year anniversary of the implementation of that free trade agreement, May 15.
   The mission will include “export-ready” U.S. firms in a broad range of U.S. infrastructure and industrial sectors, with an emphasis on project management (including construction, architecture and design), transportation (including road/highways, rail, airports, and intelligent transportation systems), energy (including distribution, transmission, and smart grid), water resources management (including water treatment, distribution and collection), and safety and security.
   The companies participating in the trade mission are Allen & Shariff Corp., Autodesk, Case New Holland, Cessna Aircraft Co., Chen Moore and Associates, Condortech Services, Del Valle Group, Fluidic Energy, Ghafari Associates, Greeley and Hansen, Innovari, Integra Design Group Architects & Engineers, Mabey, Meridiam Infrastructure North America Corp., Morgan Stanley Infrastructure, OSISoft, Propex Operating Co., Pulltarps Mfg., Rapiscan Systems, and Tollgrade Communications.