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Trade Mission Strengthens State

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By CHARLIE CRIST

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

Every great business deal begins with a good relationship. As potential business partners discover each other's strong suits and assets, they begin to consider new possibilities for mutually beneficial ventures. In the same way, during the 10 days I traveled to Europe, I built relationships with some of Florida's most important international trade partners.

As I led the Team Florida Trade and Business Development Mission to the United Kingdom, France, Russia and Spain, I focused on developing and strengthening international trade in aerospace and aviation, renewable and alternative energy and economic opportunities from addressing the effects of climate change. These four nations are among Florida's top foreign investors. Together, they have more than 700 companies in our state, providing jobs to more than 60,000 Floridians and pumping more than $7 billion into our state's economy. These nations are strategic trading partners, with bilateral trade of $7.8 billion and more than $1.7 billion in exports.

International trade is growing in our state. In fact, Florida exports increased more than 12 percent in 2007 to $58.9 billion, and by almost 22 percent in the first quarter of this year. The goal and purpose of this trade mission was to make immediate and long-term sales, create investment leads, promote Florida goods and services in foreign markets, and to learn from international leaders how we can increase opportunities to benefit our economy here at home.

I anticipate tangible returns on the time and dollars spent on this trade mission, similar to what we achieved last November during our trade mission to Brazil. The largest single-state delegation in United States history to Brazil yielded more than $340 million in actual and anticipated sales generated by our presence there. International trade is integral to Florida's economy. About 1 million jobs in our state depend on international business, and about 39,000 Florida companies export products, giving the Sunshine State the second largest concentration of exporters in the United States. Jobs in international trade offer high wages and bring increased value to our economy.

It is short-sighted to think we can sit idly by in Tallahassee during these challenging economic times. Floridians are counting on leadership and, now more than ever, we must aggressively seek the opportunities and build the relationships that will strengthen our economy and better the lives of our people.

Charlie Crist is governor of Florida.

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