EDIT Newsletter-Economic Development and International Trade Unit (RER) Miami-Dade County

BU                                   TRADE MIAMI-DADE MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Welcome to Trade Miami-Dade, the newsletter highlighting the activities of the International Trade Consortium (ITC) Board of Directors and the Economic Development and International Trade Unit (EDIT) of Miami-Dade County.  As the Chair of the ITC, I have the responsibility of engaging our local partners and making new commercial connections around the world.  The advantages of using Miami-Dade County and its superb international trade resources for moving product to and from anywhere in the world are formidable.  Our message is clear, Come Trade With Us, and together we can make Miami-Dade prosper.   We hope you enjoy Trade Miami-Dade, and that you will join us in promoting Miami-Dade as the Global Gateway. ITC Chair Diaz Welcomes Irene Hirano Inouye, President, U.S. - Japan Council From Left to Right: ITC Chair Jose "Pepe" Diaz and Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye, President, U.S.-Japan Council  On October 28, ITC Chair Jose "Pepe" Diaz welcomed the President of the U.S. - Japan Council, Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye, to Miami for a networking event focused on helping to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Japan.  The U.S.-Japan Council is a Japanese American-led organization that promotes people-to-people relationships through its innovative programs in networking and leadership. Also attending the event were several members of the U.S. House of Representatives, City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, and Acting Consul General of Japing in Miami, Masahiro Ogino. Japan is South Florida's 33rd-largest trading partner, with total trade approaching $1 billion in 2014. High Level Algerian Delegation meet with Chairman  Jean Monestime    The Honorable El Hadi Makboul, General Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency Madjid Bouguerra, Algerian Ambassador to the United States in Washington D.C., met with Chairman From Left to Right: His Excelency Ambassador Madjid Bouguerra, Chairman Jean Monestime and the Honorable El Hadi Makboul at the Stephen P. Clark Center Jean Monestime at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center on October 26, 2015, marking the highest ranking Algerian officials to ever visit Miami-Dade County. Other Algerian officials  include: Mr. Ahmed Tibaoui, General Manager & CEO, World Trade Center, Algeria, Dr. Ismael Chikhoune, President & CEO, US-Algerian Business Council, based in Arlington, Virginia, Mr. Belkacem Abdessadok, Algerian Ministry of Commerce and Mr. Chakib Kouidri, Manager of Linkop Bureau d'Affaires, Algeria. The delegation informed Chairman Monestime, that the Algerian government would like to strengthen its bilateral ties with Miami-Dade County in light of the County's status as a Global Hub and Gateway of the Americas. The Chairman noted that "the U.S.-Algerian Trade & Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) signed July 2001, by both nations provides the platform to build a strong bilateral relations and the essential role of private investment, both domestic and foreign, in furthering growth, creating jobs, expanding international trade, improving technology, and enhancing economic development between both communities." The delegation also met with representatives of Enterprise Florida and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. The Algerian delegation was in Miami to participate in the 19th Annual Americas Food & Beverage Show and Conference organized by World Trade Center Miami. Algeria was designated "Country of Honor'" at the Show. Vice-Chair Audrey M. Edmonson Addresses OWIT International Fall  2015 Board Meeting Left to Right: Honorable Audrey M. Edmonson, Miami-Dade County Commissioner, and Vice-Chair of the ITC Board of Directors; Karen Bland, President of OWIT International; and Jennifer Diaz, OWIT International Board of Directors The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) - International, held Fall 2015 Board Meetings in Miami-Dade County from October 22 to 25.  Board members traveled from across the U.S. cities and Canada to participate in four days of meetings and networking events.  On Friday, October 23, OWIT members and members of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) - Miami, were honored to have the Honorable Audrey M. Edmonson, Commissioner of Miami-Dade County and Vice-Chair of the ITC Board of Directors, in attendance to proclaim that day as Organization of Women in International Trade Day. Meetings and discussions consisted of best trade practices, trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, along with business operational tutorials. Established in 1989, OWIT is a voluntary non-profit professional organization of women and men involved or interested in international trade and business. The organization continues its commitment in establishing educational programs, conventions and other activities to promote the employment worldwide of women and men in international trade. EDIT Initiates collaboration at 13th Annual Supply Chain & Logistics Summit 2015 For the first time, the Annual Supply Chain & Logistics Summit hosted its U.S. conference in Miami on October 27 and 28, and EDIT promoted and exhibited at the show. The Summit focused on strategic planning and performance initiatives as leading supply chain experts share the latest issues influencing competitive supply chain strategies, supply chain risk management, technology breakthrough and supply chain innovation, logistics and distribution efficiency, demand-driven supply chain, supply chain talent management. While the show has previously been held in Texas, because of the collaborative efforts of EDIT, Enterprise Florida, the Beacon Council, Florida Customs & Freight Forwarders Assoc., PortMiami and Miami International Airport, the show's organizers, WTG Events, are considering permanently moving the Summit to Miami. New South African Ambassador visits Miami-Dade  From Left to Right: Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, Ambassador Mahlangu, Willam Talbert, III, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau; Carol Ann Taylor, Miami To Go His Excellency Ambassador Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, South Africa's newly-appointed Ambassador to the United States of America, visited Miami-Dade County,  October 26-28, 2015 Ambassador Mahlangu met with Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Commissioner Dennis Moss at the Mayor's Office on October 28. The Ambassador also met with Commissioner Audrey Edmonson and Mr. Bill Talbert at a private luncheon hosted in his honor by the Greater Miami Convention Bureau.  At these meetings, discussions focused on matters of mutual interests and ways to solidify the cordial and robust relations between Miami-Dade and South Africa.  Ambassador Mahlangu also addressed a cross-section of South Florida's economic development agencies and business executives at a business round table meeting organized by the South African Association of Business Communities, in collaboration with the Econo mic Development & International Trade Unit, Enterprise Florida and the Beacon Council. His Excellency also attended a private luncheon hosted by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) in his honor. From Left to Right: Commissioner Dennis C. Moss; Ambassador Mahlangu; and Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez A cross-section of business executives at the Business Rountable Meeting held at the Beacon Council . MIA NAMED FIRST PHARMACEUTICAL FREIGHT HUB IN THE U.S. Pictured from L-R: Brinks Global Services Life Sciences Director Leandro Moreira, PortMiami Director Juan Kuryla, IATA Regional Vice President Peter Cerda, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, Miami-Dade Aviation Department Director Emilio T. González and MDAD Chief of Staff Joseph F. Napoli. The Geneva-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced on November 4, 2015 that it has designated Miami International Airport as the first pharmaceutical freight hub in the United States and only the second in the world. Mr. Peter Cerda, IATA's president presented the prestigious Certification to Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who received the award on behalf of MIA's Director Dr. Emilio Gonzalez. MIA Pharma's freight hub Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification by IATA will now highlight the airport to the pharmaceutical industry as a trusted industry leader following best practices within the pharma logistics and transports procedures. The value of pharmaceutical imports and exports moving through MIA grew by 79 percent between 2010 and 2014, from about $1.8 billion in 2010 to nearly $3.3 billion in 2014, according to figures supplied by MIA. Not including airport in-transit pharma cargo.  AUSTRALIAN  AMBASSADOR VISITS MIAMI-DADE COUNTY T Pictured Left to Right:  Tim Roberts, Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Ambassador Peter Heyward, Desmond Alufohai and Manny Gonzalez, Chief Economic Development & International Trade Unit. Ambassador Peter Heyward, Chief of Congressional Liaison, Embassy of Australia, Washington D.C.., visited Miami.  He was accompanied by Mr. Tim Roberts, Congressional  Liaison Officer, Embassy of Australia. They met with the Honorable Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Miami-Dade County  Commissioner and Chairman, Board of Directors, International Trade Consortium at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center.  Ambassador Heyward indicated that he was in Miami to attend the Australian Art Exhibition at the Perez Art Museum. He noted that he would like to increase Australia's footprint in South Florida in light of the region's status as the "Gateway of the Americas." They discussed ways to foster closer economic and cultural ties and increase bilateral trade and business contacts between.  In 2014, Australia was the United States 25th ranked trade partner with total bilateral trade amounting to $37.34 billion.  Australia was South Florida's 53rd trade partner with trade volume of $24 million. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MAYOR CARLOS A. GIMENEZ ADDRESSES FRENCH BUSINESS GROUP    From Left to Right: Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez; Severine Gianese-Pittman, President of the French-American Chamber of Commerce and Philippe Letrilliart, Consul General of France in Miami  On November 5th, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez addressed a group of 50 French local businessman and women at a lunch hosted by the Consulate of France in Miami and the French-American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) in the context of the 8th edition of "French Week". France is South Florida's 12th largest trading partner with a total trade of $2.65 billion in 2014. Mayor Gimenez mentioned that one of the direct results of his recent trip to France last June was the official visit of a delegation from the City of Marseille scheduled for June 2016.  The Mayor also mentioned that one of the results of this trip was the signing of a Sister Seaport Agreement between PortMiami and Marseille Fos Port Authority. Mayor Gimenez spoke about Miami-Dade County as a "global hub" for business/trade, technology and innovation and invited French companies to continue to work together to solidify business relationships between France and Miami-Dade. INBOUND MISSION FROM MARTINIQUE    A total of 26 appointments occurred between businesses from Martinique and their Miami-Dade counterparts during the business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking meetings organi zed by the Economic Development and International Trade Unit. The business meetings were held at the Miami Free Zone on Novem ber 12, 2015.  The Martinique delegation comprising of 8 companies, were in Miami as part of the "French Week" festivities. The delegation produced a "Martinique Spice & Fashion Show" event at the Miami-Beach. Mr. Denis Herault, the mission coordinator, stated that "this is our 5th consecutive year of bringing a trade mission to Miami because of Miami's geographic position as the Gateway of the Americas. We want to capitalize on using Miami's global platform to establish our presence here so people can source for our products through a "collectif office" in Miami."  The companies from Martinique include: Aeroclub de Martinique, CGIT Consulting, Collectif Coop Export Martnique, Extreme Chic, Martinique Developpement, Mike Aviation, NASDY Caraibes SARL and RDGEO.   Website     Imports & Exports     Trade & Business Activities     Sister Cities     Photos