Trade
Tampa-Brazil chamber offers new trade leads
Tampa Bay Business Journal - by Carl Cronan
The distance between Tampa Bay and Brazil is a little shorter now, at least from a logistics standpoint.
The Brazil-Tampa Chamber of Commerce has introduced a new trade lead program that will allow exporters here to have easier access to markets there.
The local organization is the first in the United States to offer this source, according to Jefferson Michaelis, the chamber's executive vice president.
"When entering a new market, aside from the data on the country and its culture, we need contacts," Michaelis said.
"We need to talk to the right people, to sell our product or service. But when you don't know the language and the market, how do you get the right connection for your business?"
That's where the trade lead program comes in handy. The program establishes connections in both countries that will assist in finding distributors, licenses, agents, franchees, importers, exporters or sales representatives in Brazil.
Michaelis said the chamber is offering trade lead services for companies that are either going or planning to go into the Brazilian market, and vice versa.
The cost to participate is $120 per request for chamber members, or $150 for non-members. Each request form is valid for six months.
For more information about the program, contact the Brazil-Tampa Chamber of Commerce at (813) 307-9256, or visit its web site at http://www.braziltampa.org.
WIT wraps first year
One year after its formation, Tampa Bay Women in International Trade is off to a great start, according to its officers.
The local chapter of the worldwide organization attracted 55 members (both men and women) during its first year, including manufacturers, trade consultants, lawyers, accountants and academia.
"We are thrilled with what we've accomplished in our first year," said Carol Delia, the trade group's vice president and an attorney with Fowler White Gillen Boggs Villareal and Banker in Tampa.
"We're excited about the diverse membership base we've created, from both the public and private sectors."
The local chapter hosts monthly luncheons featuring a variety of speakers. The next scheduled event will be Jan. 28 at noon at the Centre Club in Tampa, with Nancy Williams of the Export-Import Bank in Miami addressing the audience.
Besides the luncheons, Delia said the trade group will continue to sponsor other trade-related events throughout the coming year, including an international jobs fair next fall.
"Our mission is providing Tampa Bay with opportunities to capitalize on this established network of trade professionals," she said.
For more information or to join the local chapter, contact Delia or chapter president Olga Pina at (813) 228-7411.
Seatrade office opens
Seatrade USA has opened a new office along West Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa.
The company serves as U.S. general agents for Seatrade Reefer Chartering, one of the world's largest operators of fully refrigerated vessels.
On Jan. 1, Seatrade USA will take over representative activities previously handled by Elliott Shipping of Port Canaveral and will oversee sales, administration and accounting.
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