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Export Sales Mission to Costa Rica Produces More than $23 Million in Export Sales

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The recent Enterprise Florida-led export sales mission to San Jose, Costa Rica produced more than $23 million in total export sales for the 21 small and mid-sized businesses attending. The mission was held February 26 – March 1, 2018.

During the mission, more than 180 meetings were held between Florida businesses and their Costa Rican counterparts to jointly assess the local and, in some instances, Central America sales potential of their products and/or services.

The sales mission included an economic briefing from locally-based U.S. Government officials, providing the Florida delegation with valuable insights about how business is conducted in Costa Rica. Florida companies also had the opportunity to meet with U.S. commercial officers stationed in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

Trade between the U.S. and Costa Rica totaled $10.2 billion in 2016, where Florida was the leading state in two-way trade. Costa Rica ranked as Florida’s 12th largest merchandise trading partner with nearly $3.6 billion in total trade and nearly $2.5 billion in exports alone in 2016.

“This event was extremely helpful for our company to introduce our products to this new market,” said Michael Rogers, president of e-Lifeguard.com in Rockledge. “The quality of leads was exceptional and the future potential prospects appear very promising for future sales to Costa Rica and Central America. This expansion will help us to grow our business in Florida and hire new workers to produce the goods needed for these new sales.  We also appreciate the introduction to area professionals in our market industry to help us learn about it locally.”

Kelly Wood, president of Nu-Trend Plastics in Jacksonville, attended the mission as well. The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network connected the company to Enterprise Florida. “Nu-Trend Plastics is just entering into the export business,” Wood said. “The guidance and knowledge we have received from Enterprise Florida has been phenomenal! We are a small business and could not have been able to gain this exposure without the assistance of the grant. We were well prepared before leaving and the support received during the mission trip was outstanding. Before arriving we had ten appointments set. All clients we met with want to continue conversations and sent samples for Nu-Trend to quote. Thank you!”

“The experience of our first trade mission to Costa Rica has opened our eyes to both the demand for our products and services outside the U.S., as well as the strength of the collaboration between the US Trade offices and Enterprise Florida,” said Helda Rodriguez, president of Oldsmar-based NovaCharge LLC. “As Gold Key participants, both the customer and partner leads provided to us, and the meetings set up on our behalf during the event, far exceeded our expectations. This potential for future business has already caused us to assess the staff we will require and the added services spending we will need to begin a successful export business. While we have yet to determine our final plans, we expect to add sales staff and operational staff to address our expanded reach outside of Florida, as we grow to address the opportunities in Costa Rica and other potential markets.”

EFI maintains an extensive schedule of overseas trade missions and exhibitions worldwide. In Fiscal Year 2016-17, more than 500 small and mid-sized Florida businesses reported $738 million in total export sales following international events.

Companies that attended the Costa Rica mission:

Enterprise Florida to Lead Export Trade Mission to Costa Rica

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Registration is open for EFI-led mission to San Jose, Costa Rica in February 2018

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) will lead a delegation of small and mid-sized businesses on an export sales mission to San Jose, Costa Rica from February 26-March 1, 2018. Registration to attend is now open.
“Costa Rica’s market represents vast opportunity for Florida companies interested in increasing their footprint in the Central American market,” said Stan Connally, Chairman, President and CEO of Gulf Power and Vice Chairman of Enterprise Florida. “Facilitated by the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. has become the chief trading partner for Costa Rica and exporters benefit from reduced tariffs and barriers. Florida is the hub of this vigorous bilateral trade.”
Trade between the U.S. and Costa Rica totaled $10.2 billion in 2016, where Florida was the leading state in two-way trade. Costa Rica ranks as Florida’s 12th largest merchandise trading partner with nearly $3.6 billion in total trade and nearly $2.5 billion in exports alone in 2016.
Florida companies are well-positioned to benefit from these opportunities. The Enterprise Florida export sales mission will provide an excellent vehicle to initiate or expand trade opportunities in Costa Rica.
The industry sectors listed below provide the best opportunities for exports from the U.S. to Costa Rica. Given the recent easing of import restrictions, there are many promising prospects and the list below is not exclusive. If your industry is not mentioned below, please contact us for a no-obligation assessment. Leading sectors for Florida exports to Costa Rica include:

  • Medical Device Manufacturers
  • Civilian Aircraft, Engines, and Parts
  • Building and Construction Equipment
  • Automotive Parts/Service Equipment
  • Renewable Energy
  • Food Packaging
  • Hotel and Restaurant Equipment
  • Beauty Products Manufacturer

The U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) will schedule one-on-one Gold Key appointments with pre-screened Costa Rican companies that have expressed an interest in the products or services of Florida companies attending.
The USCS Gold Key program allows small and midsized enterprise (SME) manufacturers, high tech companies and service providers to reduce the time and money they invest in locating and screening prospective trade partners by finding potential overseas agents, distributors, sales representatives and business partners. The USCS arranges business meetings with pre-screened representatives, distributors, professional associations, government contacts, and/or licensing or joint venture partners.
Gold Key participation will be limited to Florida manufacturers, distributors and service companies that best meet the participation criteria. Selection of these firms will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Final selection will be determined by the U.S. Commercial Officer to ensure market suitability.
The price of this service is $1,250. Small and mid-sized Florida manufacturers, eligible high tech companies and professional service providers may qualify for a Gold Key Grant, which will offset the matchmaking registration fee for the first company representative. A separate application process will be required for this grant. Additional company representatives will be charged a $500 delegate fee.
The Gold Key registration deadline is December 15, 2017 and the delegate registration deadline is January 26, 2018.
To register or apply for a Gold Key grant, please contact Enterprise Florida representative, Jorge Riano at [email protected].