SMARTstartGlobal Tampa Bay Completes Successful Export Trade Mission to the Dominican Republic
September 29, 2023
Five Tampa Bay Companies Hold 50+ Meetings to Boost Export Sales
Tampa, FL (September 29, 2023) – Global Tampa Bay business leaders and five Tampa Bay companies have returned from a four-day trade mission to the Dominican Republic, 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, resulting in merchandise and services sales in excess of $15.79 million, which are expected to occur over the next twelve months.
“You know it is a successful mission when businesses report concrete sales and new contracts immediately following an international trade mission,” said Bill Cronin, Chairman of Global Tampa Bay and President/CEO of Pasco EDC. “Assisting both new and experienced exporters fortifies resilient companies who sustain our regional economy.”
Trade missions are export programs for Tampa Bay-based companies that want to explore and pursue export opportunities by meeting directly with potential clients in foreign markets.
Global Tampa Bay coordinated this high-quality trade mission for the Tampa Bay businesses, Port Tampa Bay, and Tampa International Airport. During the mission, business participants averaged nine meetings each with potential clients located in the Dominican Republic arranged through the U.S. Commercial Service Gold Key program. Export-ready U.S. companies seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or that have at least 51 percent U.S. content can utilize this service. They are matched with prospects in a foreign market and are provided with appropriate meeting space and translators, if required.
“A key component to the success of this trade mission is the U.S. Commercial Service team who worked with Global Tampa Bay to facilitate excellent logistics and business connections,” said Dr. Cynthia Johnson, MEDP, Global Tampa Bay board member and Director of Economic Development for Pinellas County. "I want to thank Isiah Parnell, Charge’ d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Santo Domingo, for hosting Global Tampa Bay and supporting our international business development goals."
In addition to export trade, Global Tampa Bay supports missions to recruit international companies seeking a prime business location in the U.S. In the coming months, the organization will hold foreign direct investment missions to Medica in Germany, one of the largest medical business to business trade fairs in the world, and to London and the United Kingdom.
“The regional structure of Global Tampa Bay is important in a global economy,” said Craig J. Richard, CEcD, incoming Chairman of Global Tampa Bay and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. “The Tampa Bay region has seen a tremendous increase in interest from international companies looking to expand to our area, and we’re able to leverage Florida’s global business strengths to set our region apart as a leader in both export trade and foreign direct investment.”
About Global Tampa Bay
Global Tampa Bay is a regional collaboration between the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Pinellas County Economic Development, and the Pasco Economic Development Council to increase international business opportunities for companies within the region and to market the region globally as a top business destination. Our mission is to recruit international companies seeking a prime business location in the U.S. and increase international trade opportunities for local companies therefore fostering increased expansion of our economy. At Global Tampa Bay, we proudly work together with our regional economic partners such as the Tampa International Airport and Port Tampa Bay as well as various federal, state, and local entities to deliver an integrated international strategy. www.GlobalTampaBay.com.