Miami-Dade County signs Sister Cities agreement with Viareggio, Italy & Sister Seaports agreement with the
Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority
| |
|
The Miami-Dade County Office of International Trade Consortium coordinated a business development mission to Italy from October 7-14, 2021. Program participants included Chairman Jose "Pepe" Diaz; Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; Juan Kuryla, Director & CEO of PortMiami; Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert, ITC Interim Director; Veronica Pizzorni, Operations Manager of the Office of the Mayor.
The County's delegation met with elected officials of Italy's port cities -- Viareggio, Florence, and Genoa -- to promote cruising, tourism, cargo, and future economic opportunities in Miami-Dade County. During the visit, an International Sister Cities agreement was signed between Miami-Dade County and Viareggio, Italy and an International Sister Seaports agreement was signed between PortMiami and the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority.
The delegation met with four mayors and two region representatives of Tuscany and Liguria. Italian elected officials included The Hon. Giorgio del Ghingaro, Mayor of Viareggio; Paola Gifuni, Presidente del Consiglio, City of Viareggio; Federica Maineri, Deputy Mayor of Viareggio; The Hon. Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence; Alessia Bettini, Deputy Mayor of Florence; The Hon. Giovanni Toti, President of the Liguria region; The Hon. Mario Bucci, Mayor of Genoa; Paolo Emilio Signorini, President of the Port Authority of the Western Ligurian Sea; The Hon. Matteo Viacava, Mayor of Portofino.
In addition, the delegation met with Pietro Angelini, General Manager of Navigo, which is the largest network of nautical companies in Italy, and with Stefano Messina, Chairman of Assarmatori, which is an association of shipowners. Navigo and Assarmatori are considered two of Italy's most prominent marine associations.
As a result, an inbound delegation from Italy is visting Miami-Dade County to explore economic expansion in the Super Yacht Industry. We look forward to continuing to strengthen the County's bilateral economic and cultural ties with Italy.
| |
|
At-A-Glance: Miami-Dade County & Italy
Italy is Miami-Dade County’s 13th largest trade partner with a total bilateral trade of about US $2.2 billion dollars in 2020. Italy has a Consulate General and a Trade Office in Miami. There is also an Italian-American Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE) which assist companies wishing to do business in both Italy and Miami.
Italy is the first European trading partner of PortMiami and the second European Trade partner of the state of Florida. Existing official agreements include a Sister Cities agreement between Miami-Dade County and Asti Province, Italy (est. April 21, 1985) and Sister Seaports agreements between PortMiami and the Autorita Portuale di Bari; Autorita Portuale di Genoa; Autorita Portuale di Napoli; Autorita Portuale di Ravenna; Autorita Portuale di Venice; Autorita Portuale di Livorno.
Miami-Dade Aviation Department is working with to develop a new air route service between Miami and Italy. Other bilateral relationships include academic partnerships between FIU and the University of Genoa.
For more information, please email global@miamidade.gov.
| |
ITC HIGHLIGHTS & TRADE ALERTS | |
|
|
Vice Chairman Gilbert welcomes Consul Generals to his District Office ribbon-cutting ceremony
On August 31, Chairman Jose "Pepe" Diaz was joined by Consul Generals of Canada, Susan Harper; Japan, Hiroshi Funakoshi; Romania, Catalin Ghenea; Turkey, Burç Ceylan; and Deputy Consul of Colombia, Camilo Rubiano, for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the District Office of Commissioner Oliver Gilbert.
The Hon. Oliver Gilbert is Vice Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners and Commissioner for District 1. He is also Vice Chairman of the ITC.
| | | |
|
|
Recap: July 29 ITC Board Meeting
In the last ITC Board meeting, Chairman Jose "Pepe" Diaz discussed strengthening Miami-Dade County's international relations through bilateral collaborations.
The Board made a recommendation to Chairman Diaz to direct the County to submit a bid application to have Miami-Dade County be the host city for the Ninth Summit of the Americas (SOA) scheduled to take place in the Summer of 2022.
The ITC office has been closely monitoring the SOA bid status but no updates have been made.
Click here to see a list of ITC board members.
| | | |
|
|
Chairman Diaz & Senator Souto meet with delegation from Brazil
On September 30, ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert and ITC Department Advisor Phillipa Valencia introduced Chairman Jose "Pepe" Diaz and Senator Javier D. Souto to a visiting delegation from Brazil exploring business opportunities in Miami-Dade County, specifically within the sectors of pharma, medical supply, food processing innovation, and supply chain logistics. In addition, the delegation expressed interest in opening a Confederação Nacional da Indústria (CNI) office in Miami.
The visiting delegation included: Robson de Andrade, President of CNI Brazil; Ana Maria Curado, SVP of CNI Brazil; The Hon. Rodrigo Fonseca, Deputy Consul of Consulate General of Brazil in Miami.
Presentations on trade opportunities in Miami were provided by our partners: Jimmy Nares, Section Chief of Aviation Marketing, Miami International Airport (MIA); Eric Olafson, Global Trade & Business Development Director, PortMiami; Madeline Mesa, International Economic Development Director, Beacon Council.
We thank our participating partners for the support in helping promote Miami-Dade as a Global Gateway for international trade, and look forward to continue advancing bilateral collaborations with Miami-Dade County's #1 Trading Partner — Brazil.
| | | | |
|
|
Chairman Diaz welcomes official delegation from Mozambique
On August 25, our office was honored to host a delegation from Mozambique, led by Salimo Abdula, President of the Confederação Empresarial de Portugal (CIP), and accompanied by Maria da Assunção Abdula, President of the Federação das Mulheres Empresárias e Empreendedoras da CE CPLP.
We thank Ernesto de la Fe, Honorary Consul of Mozambique in Miami, as well as our ITC Board Members Joe Chi, President of CAMACOL, and Jimmy Nares, Section Chief of Marketing, Miami International Airport (MIA), for their support. We also extend our thanks to Desmond Alufohai, Protocol & International Affairs Director, MIA; Marcos Kerbel, FIBA Bankers; Andy Hecker, Port Managing Director/CFO, PortMiami, for their participation.
| | |
|
|
Chairman Diaz meets with inbound delegation from Neiva, Colombia
On August 30, Chairman Jose "Pepe" Diaz welcomed an inbound delegation from Alcaldía de Neiva, Colombia.
The inbound delegation included: The Hon. Gorky Muñoz Calderón, Mayor of Neiva; Dr. Luz Marina Trujillo de Munoz, First Lady of Neiva & Manager of Community Outreach & Public Affairs; Rafael Sanchez Diaz, Chief of Office of Internalization & Projects of Neiva.
The objective of this inbound mission was to promote trade between Neiva, Colombia and Miami-Dade County, with focus on identifying and supporting Neiva's export sectors and establishing a buyer's network in Florida. As a result, an inbound delegation from Neiva is planned for 2022.
We thank the support of this mission's program participants which included: Ernesto Rodriguez, Section Chief of Aviation Marketing & Air Service Development Division, Miami International Airport (MIA); Richard de Villiers, Chief of Staff of PortMiami Director & ITC Board member; Eric Knowles, President & CEO, Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce (MDCC); Jeff Lozama, MDCC Chairman & ITC Board member; and Gloria Fonseca, MDCC Vice Chairwoman & ITC Board member; German Perry, Commercial Director, Colombian Chamber of Commerce (CACC); Sandra Clavijo, CACC Vice President; Margarita Losada, CACC Director of Operations.
| | | | |
|
|
ITC supports 2021 AfriCANDO
ITC was proud to support and join The Foundation of Democracy at their 2021 AfriCANDO event which took place October 6-8 in Miami.
Among program participants and attendees were: Fred Oladeinde, President, The Foundation for Democracy in Africa; The Hon. Daniella Levine Cava, County Mayor; The Hon. Kionne L. McGhee, Commissioner for District 9; The Hon. Dennis C. Moss, former Commissioner for District 9; Senator Javier D. Souto, Commissioner for District 10; Juan Kuryla, CEO & Director of PortMiami. ITC staff Sudeshna Chatterjee and Nusly B. Alea also attended.
We thank our ITC Board Member, Drew McKinney, for allowing the opportunity to support this event and promote international trade in Miami-Dade County.
| | | |
|
|
Mendoza, Argentina delegation brings business to Miami-Dade
On October 21, ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert, ITC Global Engagement Officer Sudeshna Chatterjee, and ITC Department Advisor Phillipa Valencia had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Mendoza, Argentina – one of Miami-Dade County's Sister Cities.
e-Touchstone and InterBrain have opened a Miami-based office to offer our local community with based training in the healthcare, safety and soft skills sectors.
We thank Jackson Health System, Baptist Health South Florida, and the Beacon Council for meeting the delegation to explore business opportunities.
| | |
|
|
MRC Industry visits Miami-Dade
On August 31, ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert and ITC Global Engagement Officer Sudeshna Chatterjee met with members of Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) to discuss opportunities of collaboration.
If you are interested in the MRC Industry, click here for more information.
| | | |
|
|
New nonstop air route from MIA to Uruguay
On July 29, ITC's Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert joined Senator Javier D. Souto and MIA Director Ralph Cutie at Miami International Airport (MIA)'s press conference announcing the launch of Eastern Airlines new service route to Montevideo, Uruguay.
Eastern Airlines new service route will be flying twice weekly, and is the only airline providing nonstop passenger service between MIA and Uruguay.
| | | | |
|
|
ITC welcomes inbound delegation from Bulgaria
On September 24, ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert, ITC Global Engagement Officer Sudeshna Chatterjee, and ITC Department Advisor Philllipa Valencia met with a visiting delegation from Bulgaria to discuss bilateral trade opportunities.
The Bulgarian delegation included Consul General Svetoslav Stankov, Republic of Bulgaria in Chicago, and representatives from the US-Bulgarian Chamber in America, Eliz Nestorov and Boyan Mintchev.
We congratulate the US-Bulgarian Chamber in America on their launch of their FL Chapter and thank ITC Board Members Andrew J. Markus and Lynare Robbins for the introduction.
| | | |
|
|
ITC meets with inbound delegation from Saudi Arabia
On September 30, ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert, ITC Global Engagement Officer Sudeshna Chatterjee, and ITC Department Advisor, Phillipa Valencia met with a visiting delegation from Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral trade opportunities.
The Saudi delegation included Cruise Saudi Chief Assets Development Officer and Cruise Saudi Corporate Communications Manager, Miguel Reyna and Ragda N. Bakjorji.
| | |
|
|
|
ITC attends MBDA official launch
ITC's Interim Director, Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert, and Department Advisor, Phillipa Valencia, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Marie R. Gill, CEO/Founder of M. Gill & Associates, Inc., at the official launch of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Miami Business Center and Florida Export Center on September 14.
Attendees included ITC Board members Joe Chi, President of CAMCOL, and Ivan Barrios, President/CEO of World Trade Center Miami, along with Consul General Oliver Mair, Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami; Alice Ancona, SVP/COO, World Trade Center Miami; Joshua Ho, Program Director, Miami-Dade County Asian American Advisory Board. A pre-recorded congratulatory video message by Chairman Jose "Pepe" Diaz was presented during the event.
M. Gill & Associates, Inc. provides support to our local small and minority business community and received a U.S. Department of Commerce contract to operate the MBDA centers in Miami.
We look forward to continue working with M. Gill & Associates, Inc. to help advance local business development initiatives and promote Miami-Dade County as a Global Gateway for international trade.
| | | |
|
|
Inbound delegation from Guatemala visits Miami-Dade County Elections Department
On August 20, ITC welcomed an inbound delegation from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala and coordinated a meeting with the Miami-Dade County Elections Department.
In 2023, Guatemala will allow its citizens to participate in elections outside of Guatemala and was seeking information to learn about the election process, logistics, and best practices. The visiting delegation was provided with an overview on the electoral process in Miami-Dade County. Suzy Trutie, Deputy Director of Miami-Dade County Elections Department, provided a presentation to the delegation along with a tour of the elections department facility.
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala delegation was led by Blanca Odilia Alfaro Guerra, Magistry, Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala (mission leader); Lic. Gloria Lopez, Electoral Director, Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala; Lic. Ricardo Millian, Head of International Affairs, Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala; Director, National Registry of Persons; Andrea Durini Golon, Vice Consul, Consulate of Guatemala in Miami. ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert and ITC Assistant Director Nusly B. Alea were also in attendance.
| | | |
|
|
|
Inbound delegation from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia visits Miami-Dade
The office of ITC helped host an inbound delegation from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
on August 5.
Dr. Richard Gonzales, Secretary of Economic Development and Employment Municipality of Santa Cruz de la Sierra met with Isidoro Lopez, Chief of Staff of Chairman Diaz; Ernesto Rodriguez, Section Chief of Aviation Marketing & Air Service Development Division, Miami International Airport (MIA); Richard de Villiers, Chief of Staff of PortMiami Director & ITC Board member; and Joe Chi, President of CAMACOL.
The inbound delegation expressed interest in business opportunities in Miami-Dade County. As a follow up, The Hon. Jhonny Fernandez Saucedo, Mayor of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, will visit Miami-Dade County at the end of October.
| | | |
|
|
ITC participates in the County's Small Business Division online workshop
On October 27, ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert provided a presentation about the Miami-Dade County International Trade Consortium and how our office can support small businesses that are new to the local export community explore international markets.
The presentation was featured on the Oct. 27 "How to do Business with the County" online workshop, hosted by the Miami-Dade County Internal Services Department - Small Business Division. We extend a special thank you to SBD Section Chief Lawanda Wright-Robinson for providing us with this opportunity!
| | | | |
|
|
CRACC recognizes ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert
On September 14, ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert met with Rossy Pedroza-Salazar, President of Costa Rican American Chamber of Commerce (CRACC), to discuss priorities and increase trade between Miami-Dade County and Costa Rica.
Mrs. Pedroza-Salazar presented a trophy of appreciation to ITC Interim Director Maria Drefyus for her support and collaborative efforts throughout the years.
The ITC office works closely with binational chambers, local consulates, and foreign trade offices to help promote Miami-Dade County as a "Global Gateway" for international commerce, trade, culture, education, entrepreneurship and innovation. Click here to learn more.
| | |
|
|
ITC presents proclamation to BACC
On September 11, ITC Interim Director Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert presented a proclamation to the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Inc. in recognition of their 40th anniversary celebration.
| | | |
ITC welcomes the newest members to have joined the
County's international community
| |
|
Click here to see a directory of our local Consulates and Foreign Government Offices.
Click here to see a list of our local Foreign Trade Offices.
If you find that any of the information included in our website is inaccurate, out-of-date, or missing, please send a message to the Office of International Trade Consortium at global@miamidade.gov detailing what needs to be updated or included.
| | | |
|
|
ITC & WTC Miami join Consulate General of Mexico to meet with inbound delegation from Mexico
On September 20, Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert, ITC Interim Director, and Alice Ancona, SVP/COO of World Trade Center Miam, provided an informational presentation to an inbound delegation from Sinaloa, Mexico, hosted by the Consulate General of Mexico in Miami.
We thank Consul General Jonathan Chait and our friends at the Consulate General of Mexico in Miami for the support and extending the invitation to meet with the visiting delegation.
| | | | | |
