This week, Enterprise Florida (EFI) held its export sales mission to Panama City, Panama.
Enterprise Florida led a delegation consisting of Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, representatives from five Florida seaports and 20 Florida companies and community partners.
“Enterprise Florida is proud to lead such a robust delegation of Florida companies and leaders to Panama,” said Enterprise Florida Deputy Secretary of Commerce Laura DiBella. “These missions provide unparalleled opportunities for Florida companies to showcase their goods and services to the world and allow Florida leaders to continue to strengthen relationships with our international trading partners. We look forward to a productive mission and are honored to support initiatives that highlight Florida’s companies on a global stage.”
The export sales mission to Panama was a three-day trip that included one-on-one meetings between Florida companies and potential Panamanian representatives and distributors. Additionally, a parallel agenda focused on technology, innovation, and transportation was offered to delegates.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership and historic infrastructure funding in the 2022-2023 Freedom First Budget, the Florida Department of Transportation is making strategic investments in our transportation network, particularly in our seaports,” said Perdue “As Florida moves forward with increasing capacity at our facilities, our economic output will continue to outpace other states and the nation will feel the relief from supply chain disruption. Florida’s seaports are the gateway for the delivery of goods to and from the United States and our investments will increase the number of ships able to traverse our ports, increase access for larger vessels, and create a more seamless transfer of goods to our network of rail and roads to get goods to consumers faster. We look forward to deepening our relationship with our trading partners in Panama and all over the world, as well as showcasing how our infrastructure enhancements continue to benefit Floridians.”
The Florida delegation consisted of:
Perdue
JAXPORT
Port Everglades
PortMiami
Port Tampa Bay
SeaPort Manatee
Pinellas County Economic Development
Tampa Bay Economic Development Council
Global Tampa Bay
Bkcllc Consulting
3 Daughters Brewing
Beutlich Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Brew Bus Brewing Inc.
CaviDyne, LLC
Cunsa
Excite Medical
Flymotion
Gates Defense
Yo Mama’s Foods
New Century International
Newyon, LLC
Organic Farms Vitamins
Pole Star Defense
Royal Snacks, Inc.
Sanitation Products of America
Seaspension
“Panama, like Florida, is a gateway to the world,” said TJ Villamil, the SVP of International Trade and Development at Enterprise Florida. “As Florida continues to thrive under our Governor’s leadership, it is critical we share the story of Florida’s economic growth with partner countries abroad. Bringing Florida companies and Florida leadership to Panama will strengthen ties and produce positive economic outcomes for the Sunshine State for years to come.”
The United States is Panama’s strongest trading partner. In 2021, Florida accounted for 14% of the $8.3 billion worth of U.S. exports to Panama. Panama also ranked as Florida’s 13th largest total trade partner among Latin American and Caribbean countries in 2021.
EFI maintains an extensive schedule of trade missions and exhibitions worldwide. Last year, merchandise trade valued at $164 billion flowed through Florida’s seaports and airports with Florida-origin exports reaching $55 billion, and Florida exported goods to more than 200 countries, making the state one of the world’s leaders in international trade.
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