Crist completes South America trip

Crist completes South America trip Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said a trade mission to South America last week helped advance trade possibilities ranging from cooperative efforts to grow the biofuels industry to maintaining markets like flower imports that are distributed through Florida.
   Crist and more than 200 private sector and government officials assembled by Enterprise Florida were in Brazil for five days promoting Florida exports to Brazil. But officials also met with Brazilian officials to discuss that country's fast-growing biofuels program.
   Crist also traveled to Argentina, Chile and Colombia to talk trade.
   Although the main purpose of the trip was to promote the exports of some of the most technologically advanced products produced or distributed through Florida — such a telecommunications equipment, aviation and aerospace parts, computer hardware and software, energy industry equipment, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals — the post-trip analysis from the governor's office stressed a number of other trade-related subjects.
   Crist said there were biofuels discussions in both Brazil and Colombia.
   Florida has the potential to be a leader in the production and use of biofuels such as ethanol,' he said. 'During this trade mission, we have gained knowledge and insight into how we can build partnerships that will allow Florida to meet that potential.'
   While Brazil is a leader in the fledgling industry, Crist said that during a meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, the leader said he is committed to exploring alternative energy sources and reserving tracts of Colombian land for the production of biofuels.
   Crist and Uribe also discussed ways to increase trade between Colombia and Florida, particularly stressing the importation of flowers to Florida, which are subsequently distributed throughout North America.
   They also discussed efforts to combat drug smuggling that impacts both locations. Uribe invited Crist to attend an antidrug summit to be hosted by Colombia in June 2008.