PALMETTO, Florida – 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).

Those gathered Feb. 22 at the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee include, from left: Alejandra Zelaya, vice consul of Honduras; Juan C. Barrera, deputy director for the United States of ProColombia USA; María Jesús de Gonzalo Gámir, trade commissioner of Spain; Carlos Buqueras, executive director, Port Manatee; Lucia Aguilar Puga, deputy trade and investment commissioner, ProMexico; Ivan Mutis, coordinator, International Trade Hub at Port Manatee; Mily Sega, trade commissioner of Peru; Dunia Miranda-Mauri, trade commissioner of Guatemala; Elaine Brouca, trade commissioner of Canada; and (rear) Sacha Garafulic, director, ProChile Miami.
Those gathered Feb. 22 at the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee include, from left: Alejandra Zelaya, vice consul of Honduras; Juan C. Barrera, deputy director for the United States of ProColombia USA; María Jesús de Gonzalo Gámir, trade commissioner of Spain; Carlos Buqueras, executive director, Port Manatee; Lucia Aguilar Puga, deputy trade and investment commissioner, ProMexico; Ivan Mutis, coordinator, International Trade Hub at Port Manatee; Mily Sega, trade commissioner of Peru; Dunia Miranda-Mauri, trade commissioner of Guatemala; Elaine Brouca, trade commissioner of Canada; and (rear) Sacha Garafulic, director, ProChile Miami.
“This unique gathering further places Port Manatee and Manatee County on the radar screen of companies seeking to pursue investment and trade opportunities in Florida,” Buqueras added.

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.”

Vanessa Baugh, chairwoman of the Manatee County Port Authority, said, “We are honored to host this influential group. Expanding commercial ties with these countries will help strengthen Port Manatee’s position as a vital economic engine for Manatee County while connecting global interests with the fast-growing consumer base of Central and Southwest Florida.”

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.

Located “Where Tampa Bay Meets the Gulf of Mexico,” Port Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanding Panama Canal, with 10 40-foot-draft berths serving container, bulk, breakbulk, heavylift, project and general cargo customers. The port generates more than $2.3 billion in annual economic impact for the local community, while supporting more than 24,000 jobs, without levying ad-valorem taxes.