International Trade Hub brings Chilean trade commissioner to North Port, Sarasota Herald Tribune, March 28, 2018
The International Trade Hub at SeaSeaPort Manatee is expanding its visits from foreign trade officials to the rest of Southwest Florida. On Wednesday it brought Sacha Garafulic, the Chilean trade commissioner for the southeastern region of the United States, to speak about trade possibilities to a crowd of almost 50 North Port business people. He is the first international trade commissioner to visit the city.
“Matchmakers” That’s what Elaine Brouca, trade commissioner for Canada, calls the representatives of eight countries who met Thursday at SeaSeaPort Manatee to introduce themselves and network with local businesses. “Promoting collaboration can lead to other business opportunities,” Brouca said.
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Port Executive Director Carlos Buqueras says foreign trade can help American businesses should another domestic recession occur
MANATEE COUNTY — Although SeaSeaPort Manatee already has connections with each of them, trade delegates from eight nations convened at the port Thursday for the first time to discuss how they and Florida-based businesses can cooperate more to benefit each other economically.
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Manatee County may not always come to mind for trade commissioners representing countries desiring to do business with the state. Generally, Miami-Dade and other southeast Florida communities are top of mind. The Miami area has developed strong international business ties and successfully promoted this region as a key international hub.
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PALMETTO — SeaSeaPort Manatee and Japan were strengthening their commercial ties Friday with the visit of the country’s top Florida-based official.
“Japanese company colleagues generally find Florida to be a good place to live and do business,” said Ken Okaniwa, a Japanese diplomat since 1984 who has served since 2015 as consul general of Japan in Miami. “This is not a surprise, because many of them have achieved growing revenues and expanded operations.
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MANATEE
A few years ago, SeaSeaPort Manatee was struggling to maintain its economic viability. It was too dependent on too few customers, and some suggested that Manatee County should sell the port.
On Tuesday, executive director Carlos Buqueras reported operating revenues of $13 million, up 9 percent in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, while cutting expenses by 3 percent.
Total tonnage was estimated at 7.8 million tons, a 13 percent increase.
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PALMETTO, Florida – SeaSeaPort Manatee is seen as an ideal gateway for Ecuadorian imports to burgeoning Central and Southwest Florida markets, according to a top trade official visiting the Florida Gulf Coast port today [Nov. 14].
“Opportunities are really growing for reaching Central and Southwest Florida by way of SeaSeaPort Manatee,” said Manuel Echeverria Castro, Ecuador’s trade commissioner for the southern United States. “We have a very high interest in SeaSeaPort Manatee.”
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PALMETTO
For the past several months, representatives from many Central and South American countries have presented investment opportunities to the Manatee County Port Authority, including Colombia, Guatemala and Chile. On Thursday, it was El Salvador’s turn.
Connie Palomo Flores, executive director of the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, said El Salvador creates many products, including textiles, coffee, medical devices and aeronautics, the latter of which she said saw a 20 percent annual growth.
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PALMETTO — SeaSeaPort Manatee officials are exploring ways to strengthen commercial ties with El Salvador businesses through a collaboration with the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and the Hispanic Commerce Coalition.
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MANATEE
Two Colombian coffee companies want to gain U.S. market share through a relationship with SeaSeaPort Manatee. Combined, Bunland and Monte Cielo will ship 2,200 pounds of coffee to SeaSeaPort Manatee at the end of August.
The companies began their relationship with the port through the International Trade Hub. Marina Besadalombana, trade hub consultant, and Ivan Mutis, trade hub consultant and coordinator, said they have conducted market tests and research to determine the level of interest in the type of coffee these companies will bring.
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