The Enterprise Florida-led export sales mission to Morocco in April proved successful for the 10 companies in attendance.
Those companies reported nearly $8 million in expected sales as a result of the visit, including more than $1 million in sales during the mission. More than 80 business-to-business meetings were arranged for Florida companies with potential distributors and importers in Morocco.
“Enterprise Florida continues to create opportunities in international markets for Florida’s small businesses,” said Jamal Sowell, President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. “Our objective was to help companies enter new markets in Morocco, build and strengthen commercial ties between Morocco and Florida and promote Florida as an international trade hub. By all accounts, it was a successful mission and I thank the companies for participating.”
Mission participants met with potential clients from the private sector, the Moroccan Ministry of Trade and other government agencies interested in their products and services. The Florida delegation also received market and economic briefings from the U.S. Commercial Service, and attended a networking event that highlighted the state as a trade and logistics hub for the Americas.
The following companies attended the mission:
- Alfa Vitamins Laboratories, Inc. – Miami
- American Roofing Services, LLC – Coral Gables
- D&D Enterprises, LLC – Weston
- DemeTech Corporation – Miami Lakes
- Green Technologies, LLC – Gainesville
- Medas, Inc. dba Medadv – North Miami
- Prism Lighting Services – Jacksonville
- Risk and Design Consulting – Doral
- TKW Consulting Engineers, Inc. – Ft. Myers
- Vac-Con – Green Cove Springs
“The Gold Key Mission has been an important tool for our company in our expansion market business,” said Humberto de Paola, manager of Medas, Inc. in North Miami. “Enterprise Florida worked with the U.S. Commercial Service to provide us 10 new lead companies to do business with. Companies provided from Gold Key Service have been high profile, knowledgeable in our field, and are expected to start business with Medas. This service helps us to reduce costs and time in our export business plan.”
American Roofing Services, LLC in Coral Gables participated in the mission. “We want to participate in the African market and this event was important to us,” said Luigi Paolilli, Sales Manager. “Enterprise Florida was the engine that could support our company to achieve the goal. We had several meetings with potential important clients.”
Joseph Macaluso, business development manager with D&D Enterprises, Inc. in Weston said, “The Enterprise Florida trade mission to Morocco has enabled D&D Enterprises to enter a new market which has not been explored in the past. The trade mission provided us a conduit to establish business relationships with authorized Moroccan companies in our line of business. The better understanding of the market and business relationships forged will lead to export sales to Morocco.”
Florida-based companies looking to expand internationally can take advantage of the comprehensive exporting assistance – from counseling and advice to overseas trade missions – provided by Enterprise Florida and its economic development partners.
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention; small business growth through international trade and exporting programs; promotion of sporting events; promotion and protection of Florida’s military bases; and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.
