The Jay Malina International Trade Consortium of Miami Dade County (ITC) will host a 40 member inbound trade mission from Taiwan September 18th– 23rd, 2010. During an ITC Board of Directors meeting on June 10th, 2010, Miguel Tsao, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami (TECO) announced that his government had decided to organize this important trade delegation to Miami-Dade County as a direct result of ITC’s trade mission to Taipei, Taiwan in June 2009 led by ITC Chair, Commissioner Natacha Seijas. “This is the tangible outcome of ITC’s trip last year. ITC’s trade mission to Taiwan laid a solid foundation for the current and future cooperation between Miami-Dade County and Taiwan,” Mr. Tsao said.
Mr. Tsao, together with Ken Hu, TECO Deputy Director General and David Liu, Director of the Taiwan Trade Center Miami (TIATRA) formally requested ITC’s support for this trade mission comprised of Taiwanese public and private sector representatives. “We will bring companies interested in learning about the friendly business environment in the area and that could establish their own regional operations in Miami-Dade County. We kindly ask for the joint support and assistance of ITC to promote Miami-Dade as the Gateway for Taiwan to Latin America,” Mr. Liu said. In 2009, total trade between South Florida and Taiwan was over $500 million. Taiwan is ranked 5th for several of South Florida’s principal imports such as refined petroleum, computer parts, landlines and cell phones. Moreover, trade ties between Taiwan and countries in Latin America continue to grow
making Miami-Dade the obvious bridge between both regions.
While Miami-Dade is the Gateway to the Americas, Taiwan is quickly becoming the Gateway to mainland China and other Asian countries. Taiwan, one of the Four Tigers of Asia, has become a high-tech powerhouse and boasts the world’s eighteenth largest economy. This mission will further serve to increase economic and cultural ties between Taiwan and Miami-Dade County that has also enjoyed a Sister Cities relationship with Taipei County since 1989. In addition, Miami-Dade County businesses will have an opportunity to meet with the private sector delegates for pre-screened business-to-business meetings. All meetings are free of charge and will provide local businesses with increased opportunities to trade with Taiwan. “ITC stands ready to receive this important delegation from Taiwan, as well as to work in partnership with TECO and TAITRA to make this mission a success for both Taiwan and Miami-Dade County,” Commissioner Seijas said.
It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act. The facility is ADA accessible. For sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices or materials in accessible format, please call 305-644-5127 at least five days in advance.
THE JAY MALINA INTERNATIONAL TRADE CONSORTIUM
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 2200
Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-1254
www.miamidade.gov/itc