Tampa Bay business leaders complete Caribbean trade mission

Global Tampa Bay business leaders and five Tampa Bay companies returned from a four-day trade mission to the Dominican Republic, according to a Friday news release.

The Caribbean nation is Florida's fourth leading destination for merchandising exports behind Brazil, Colombia and Chile.

More than 50 one-on-one matchmaking meetings occurred between Tampa Bay and Dominican Republic businesses throughout the trip, business officials say. It resulted in merchandise and service sales in excess of $15.79 million, which are expected to occur over the next 12 months.