Miami-Dade ITC sets East Europe mission

Miami-Dade ITC sets East Europe mission Miami-Dade County's Jay Malina International Trade Consortium is organizing a business development trip to the emerging economies of Eastern Europe in May, with stops planned for Warsaw, Prague, and Istanbul.
   While South Florida is best known for its trade links with Latin America, the Caribbean, and the fast-growing Asia trades, there has always been a good selection of shipping services to both North Europe and the Mediterranean. In fact, county officials note, trade with the combined nations of Europe make up South Florida's second most important regional trading partner, after Latin America and the Caribbean.
   The upcoming trade mission will seek to present Miami as the 'gateway to the Americas' for European businesses, trade mission organizers said.
   The stop at Istanbul will attempt to build on the fast-growing market between South Florida and Turkey. In 2006, Miami-Dade trade with Turkey total $289 million, making it the 38th-ranked individual country for local trade.
   Poland and the Czech Republic are seen as prospective trade partners. Together, those two countries had $61 million in trade with the county in 2006, with Poland ranked 76th and the Czech Republic ranked 87th.
   But trip organizers note both countries are seeing sustained economic growth. In addition, they have good strategic locations within Europe, and are planning for a large influx of foreign direct investment.
   There will be opportunities for Miami-Dade companies involved in merchandise trade to transact business with all three target cities. Business matchmaking opportunities are being arranged, as well as networking opportunities.
   For information on the trade mission, contact ITC trade development specialist Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert at 305-375-3885, or may e-mail at dreyfus@miamidade.gov.