Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is looking to boost the economic ties between the Sunshine State and the Dominican Republic which has the largest economy in the Caribbean with more than 5 percent growth expected this year.
This week, EFI announced it will host seminars across the state next month to help businesses lean more about opportunities in the Dominican Republic. EFI is having a trade mission to the Dominican Republic in November.
“The seminars will be very beneficial for companies that are interested in reaching the Caribbean market or are planning to attend the upcoming trade mission to the Dominican Republic,” said Manny Mencia, the senior vice president of international trade and development for EFI. “Florida is the gateway to trade with Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Dominican Republic is our leading Caribbean trade partner.”
EFI will hold sessions in Coral Gables on August 14, Pompano Beach on August 15, at the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business in Tampa on August 16, at their headquarters in Orlando on August 16 and wrapping it up at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce on August 17.
“The Dominican Republic holds vast opportunities for Florida companies focused on the Caribbean market,” EFI insisted. “Florida exported approximately $3 billion in merchandise to the Dominican Republic in 2017. Facilitated by the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. has become the chief trading partner for the Dominican Republic and exporters benefit from reduced tariffs and barriers.”
The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Dominican Republican’s economy will grow 5.1 percent this year, keeping its status as largest economy in the Caribbean.
Last year, almost $148 billion of goods moved through ports in the Sunshine State with Florida-origin exports reaching $55 billion in goods. Florida’s ports worked with 190 countries across the globe last year.
