Port Partnerships: Manatee

 

Port Manatee officials are encouraged about expansion of international commerce following a joint meeting with trade commissioners from eight countries.

 

"This is the first time we’ve had so many trade commissioners assembled at one location," Carlos Buqueras, executive director of Port Manatee, said of the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee’s hosting Thursday [Feb. 22] of representatives from Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Spain. The nations constitute the majority of board membership of the International Trade Commissioners of Florida (INTRADE). 

 

Juan C. Barrera, deputy director for the United States of ProColombia USA and president of INTRADE, commented, "Port Manatee already plays an important role in handling Colombian imports and exports, as well as substantial trade with other INTRADE country members, and clearly offers prospects for significant additional international commerce."

 

Since opening in 2014, the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee has been integral in expanding global connections for the port and Manatee County enterprises. In recent months, the hub has been individually visited by business leaders and trade officials of numerous countries.