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TAMPA — Mayor Bob Buckhorn will lead an October trade mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to promote export opportunities for Tampa Bay area businesses.
The trip is intended to expand the region's global trade relationship with Latin America and attract job-creating foreign direct investment in Hillsborough County.
Building a stronger partnership with Brazil, the sixth-largest country in the world, can drive economic development in the Bay area, Buckhorn says in a news release.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to leverage the state's existing ties and expand our relationship with this emerging economic power,” Buckhorn says.
The Oct. 20-23 trip is organized by the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.
An estimated $470 billion will be spent on infrastructure development in Brazil as the country prepares for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Summer Games in 2016.
Last year, Florida exported nearly $15.8 billion in goods and services to Brazil.
“Many factors are contributing to the demand for American goods and services, including a growing affluence, a strong currency, outdated infrastructure and insufficient production capacity,” says Rick Homans, President/CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough EDC. “Combined with the recent announcement of a new direct flight to Latin America on Copa Airlines, and the increased access it creates, Brazil offers a wealth of opportunity for Tampa Bay exporters, and a valuable platform to market the assets and advantages our community.”
The Sao Paolo mission will include events designed to connect participating companies with Brazilian trade partners through business matchmaking sessions, coordinated in partnership with Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Commercial Service. Participants will also meet with government officials, join seminars and events presented by local business organizations, and attend a networking reception at the residence of the U.S. Consul General.
The EDC is actively seeking companies that are interested in doing business with Brazil, within industries that include, but are not limited to: aerospace and aviation, agriculture, construction and engineering, cosmetics, defense and security, drugs and pharmaceuticals, education and training, electrical power and renewable energy, environmental technologies, IT hardware and software, medical equipment, mining, oil and gas, telecommunications, transportation, and travel and tourism.
Participation in the matchmaking portion of the mission will be limited to 10 companies, with applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Grants are available.
The products, services and objectives of applicants will be reviewed for market suitability by in-country industry experts.The deadline to register is Aug. 23.
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