The New Mexico Economic Development Department, Office of International Trade (OIT) is recruiting New Mexico companies for participation in the Trade Winds Americas Forum and matchmaking trade mission. US exports to South America increased dramatically during the past year as a result of the Free Trade Agreements with the most dynamic South American markets. Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Panama have been growing their GDP in excess of 5% annually, a trend that is expected to continue.
Interested New Mexico companies may be eligible for SBA STEP Grant funding for their participation in the matchmaker mission and forum with a choice of South American markets. Companies may choose to have meetings arranged with key distribution partners in their choice between Ecuador and Panama from May 15-17, 2014 followed by the forum and matchmaking in Colombia from May 17-21, 2014 and ending with their choice between Chile or Peru from May 21-23, 2014.
New Mexico companies may choose to participate in any one market or all three markets for matchmaker meetings. The trade forum in Bogota, Colombia will allow participants to meet the Senior Commercial Officers from throughout the South American market region.
New Mexico companies must be a certified small business with at least one year operating history and currently operating at a profit. The participation fee will be paid on behalf of the companies accepted for the matchmaking, but airfare, meals and lodging expenses will be the responsibility of the New Mexico companies.
Interested companies must sign up by March 15, 2014. For additional information regarding participation please contact Edward R. Herrera, Office of International Trade Email: Edward.Herrera@state.nm.us or by phone at 505-827-0315.
Connect to a world of opportunity in the Americas
The 2014 Trade Winds program includes an Americas focused business forum consisting of regional and industry specific conference sessions as well as pre-arranged consultations with U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Senior Commercial Officers representing commercial markets throughout the region. The multiple trade mission stops will give participants the opportunity to conduct business-to-business meetings with firms in Colombia, Panama, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.
- Learn how to increase profits and overcome barriers in the Americas during the Trade Winds business development conference.
- Network with the region’s leading industry and government officials and experienced U.S. and global companies during the Trade Winds program.
- Meet one-on-one with top business experts from the U.S. Embassies and Consulates from the region for the latest market entry strategies.
With an increasing number of Free Trade Agreements having entered into force between the United States and South/Central American countries in the past few years, trade between the U.S. and Colombia, Panama, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru is booming. These countries now constitute some of the largest markets for U.S. exports. In 2012, Colombia was the 3rd largest market in Latin America and 22nd largest market globally. Additionally, these five Latin American countries alone account for at least US $60 billion worth of exports from the United States, with a wide range of exports varying from the services sector to machinery and agricultural goods.
Colombia, Peru, and Chile are some of the fastest growing economies in the region, integrating well within the global economy by opening up their markets to many countries and maintaining a stable political and business environment. Competition of foreign products in these countries however is low, with a high degree of acceptance of U.S. products. The United States, has the dominant share of the import markets of these countries, and the projected growth of trade and investment in this region is unlimited. Participating in the Trade Winds Forum will allow U.S. companies to fully maximize their advantages in this promising region.
