The International Trade Hub at SeaSeaPort Manatee host INTRADE Dinner in Miami FL July 8, 2021, Post pandemic discussing new and upcoming Trade opportunities.

Attendees from left to right:
Doreen Hemlock-International Trade Journalist, Carlos Buqueras-Director of SeaSeaPort Manatee, Marina Besadalombana-Director of International Affairs for GM&L, Ivan Mutis-CEO of GM&L, Alex Valencia-Ecuador Trade, Germán Rocca – Trade Commissioner of Chile, Roxana Santoyo- International Initiatives Coordinator for the Trade HUB, Andrea Olavarria-Emprendedora Social, Marta Sesmero-  Trade Commissioner for

Martin Sierra Gomez from Agrosigo Corp., exporter of Lemons and Avocados, visits the International Trade Hub at SeaSeaPort Manatee on a Business Development Trip from Antioquia Colombia searching for business opportunities in the domestic market of USA.

Group Agrosigo, owner of Catalan LLC. is one of the market leaders in fresh and packaged meat products in Colombia.

Left to Right: Carlos Humberto Martínez; Sigifredo Salazar, Governor of Risaralda; Jaime Rengifo Agricultural; Anibal Gustavo Hoyos Alcalde de Belen de Umbria; and Diego Alberto Naranjo Nominated candidate for the government of Risaralda.

Carlos Humberto Martínez consultant and collaborator of the International Trade Hub at SeaSeaPort Manatee in the coffee region of Colombia participated in the meeting of agricultural producers in Belén de Umbría, Risaralda in order to work together with the government of Risaralda, in the development of an internationalization plan for the small and medium enterprises. With the purpose of assisting them to access the domestic market of the United States and whose main focuses are the sectors of agroindustry and manufacturing.

The International Women Entrepreneur Association holds their first meeting at the International Trade Hub at SeaSeaPort Manatee.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

“Local and global entrepreneurs alike have been energized by this dynamic series of connective events and the vast opportunities for expanding international trade horizons,” SeaSeaPort Manatee Executive Director Carlos Buqueras said following the five days of functions, which included expo-style showcases Aug. 21 in Fort Lauderdale, Aug. 22 in North Port and Aug. 23 in Bradenton, as well as Aug. 24-25 visits to farmers markets, food stores and college campus sites in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Manatee County Port Authority Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh, who opened the Aug. 23 showcase held at the Connect Bradenton workspace, said officials of the port and its trade hub are continuing their work to assist participating companies in capitalizing upon the hundreds of commercial connections established during the multiple business-to-business events.

“We are enthusiastically supportive of the initiatives of the International Trade Hub at SeaSeaPort Manatee as an invaluable catalyst for introducing companies from throughout the world to the business-friendly environment of greater Manatee County and Southwest Florida and in helping our region’s entrepreneurs make the most of productive global links,” Baugh said.

Participants in the tour ranged from Colombia-based sellers of gourmet coffees and arepas – iconic beverages and pastries of northwestern South America – to a Palmetto, Florida-based firm looking to import tropical fruit products.

The August outreach events build upon momentum gained through numerous visits to SeaSeaPort Manatee by high-level government and trade officials of such diverse nations as Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Poland and Spain.

The International Trade Hub at SeaSeaPort Manatee, founded in 2014, serves as a vital link between markets in Florida and throughout the world. The hub provides expert advice and support tools to local and global firms, assisting them with production, distribution and related activities, including development of innovative supply chain solutions.

Located “Where Tampa Bay Meets the Gulf of Mexico,” SeaSeaPort Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal, with 10 40-foot-draft berths serving container, bulk, breakbulk, heavylift, project and general cargo customers. The port generates more than $2.3 billion in annual economic impact for the local community, while supporting more than 24,000 jobs, without levying ad-valorem taxes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Cámara de Comercio de Manizales, Colombia

In preparation of the Inbound Business Development Trip taking place August 21-23, 2018 in Fort Lauderdale, North Port and Bradenton, Trade Hub coordinator Ivan Mutis traveled to Colombia to coordinate the visit with participating companies.

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“We are looking to strengthen our trade relationship with SeaSeaPort Manatee, further benefiting from its favorable gateway position in Central Florida,” Martín de Antueno, deputy consul of Argentina, said today [Thursday, May 31] as he led a morning-long seminar at the International Trade Hub at SeaSeaPort Manatee.

“As Argentina has opened its foreign trade policy over the past 2 1/2 years, we are now entering the world, and the world is welcoming us,” said de Antueno, who, following the trade seminar, was hosted at a downtown Bradenton luncheon with sponsors including Manatee County and Manatee Chamber of Commerce. “We truly appreciate the welcome we are getting at SeaSeaPort Manatee.”
Imports into SeaSeaPort Manatee from Argentina totaled $675 million in value during the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2017, making the South American country of 45 million people SeaSeaPort Manatee’s top supplier of inbound cargo.

Noting that aluminum and biodiesel fuels are among commodities shipped to SeaSeaPort Manatee from Argentina, Miami-based de Antueno said Florida receives about one-third of all of Argentina’s imports into the United States, while significant opportunities remain not only for growing such northbound volumes but also for increasing exports from Florida to Argentina. In years past, SeaSeaPort Manatee exports to Argentina have included fertilizers.

“We look forward to working with interests from Argentina in building upon our two-way trade,” said Vanessa Baugh, chairwoman of the Manatee County Port Authority. “We believe we offer unique opportunities for connecting the world with a region of more than 10 million residents and which hosts some 80 million visitors a year. As we increase these productive commercial ties, we augment SeaSeaPort Manatee’s already impressive positive impacts upon our region’s socioeconomic wellbeing.”

SeaSeaPort Manatee’s executive director, Carlos Buqueras, commented, “Through the International Trade Hub at SeaSeaPort Manatee, we continue to proactively engage leaders of commerce from around the globe, together realizing the mutual benefits of expanded trade.”

Over the past several months, SeaSeaPort Manatee and its trade hub also have hosted high-level representatives of such diverse nations as Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Poland and Spain.

Located “Where Tampa Bay Meets the Gulf of Mexico,” SeaSeaPort Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal, with 10 40-foot-draft berths serving container, bulk, breakbulk, heavylift, project and general cargo customers. The port generates more than $2.3 billion in annual economic impact for the local community, while supporting more than 24,000 jobs, without levying ad-valorem taxes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]