International
Trade
Florida exporters need
global opportunities to
showcase Florida
merchandise and talent. |
Why Does it Matter? |
Businesses, small and large, all
across Florida benefit from
Florida’s position as a hemispheric
hub for international trade.
Banking, telecommunications,
education, transportation and
manufacturing are just a few of
the economic sectors in which
Florida is recognized as an international
leader.
Florida businesses get the
opportunity to act as a key supplier
to buyers around the globe
and sell goods made locally in
Florida to global markets. Increased
funding for trade missions
equals increased opportunity for
Florida exporters to access tailormade
programs of business-tobusiness
appointments and prearranged
meetings with prospects.
For public policymakers, the sales
generated represent a return on
the investment of public funds in
the form of an enhanced tax
revenue base and more than half a
million jobs for Floridians.
|
AIF and its International Affairs
Council (IAC) recognize the
tremendous value international
trade represents for
Florida’s economy. With merchandise
trade valued at over $95
billion flowing through Florida’s
14 seaports and 20 major airports,
Florida’s continued competitive
edge in the global economy depends on maintaining our international trade
dominance in the western hemisphere. Florida leads the nation in serving
as the regional corporate headquarters for over 300 companies from Latin
America and the Caribbean. Florida also continues to emerge as a leader in
the country on foreign investment. In 2004, Florida ranked 5th nationally
for employment by foreign firms with over 256,000 Florida-based jobs.
A key ingredient to maintaining a balance of trade that is friendly to Florida
businesses is a continued and aggressive marketing strategy abroad.
This was further emphasized in Gov. Charlie Crist’s (R) inaugural speech
in which he stated that he would lead a trade mission to Israel within the
first few months of his administration.
Florida exporters need global opportunities to showcase Florida merchandise
and talent. Florida companies are key suppliers to buyers across the
Americas. Critical access to foreign investment and markets is gained
through regular trade missions. Since 1999, over 1,270 Florida executives
have participated in trade missions, resulting in more than $700 million
dollars in actual and expected sales for Florida companies.
Trade missions target key markets of specific opportunities to Florida.
High level meetings are held to promote Florida’s economic advantages,
generate trade and reverse investment and develop linkages in the target
markets. Specific networking opportunities are also created for businesses
that participate in the mission.
Despite the growing importance of international trade to Florida’s
dynamic economy, state funding for Florida Trade Missions has been steady
over the past years at just over $5 million annually. Emphasis should be
placed on establishing diverse economic development programs that cater
to the global economy. Preparing our workforce for this multicultural
environment is vital to achieving this goal. |
