Press Release
Enterprise Florida launches site in Andean region
New offices in Colombia and Venezuela will promote business opportunities and trade between Florida and South America.
ORLANDO, FL (October 9, 2007) – Enterprise Florida Inc., Florida’s lead economic development organization, will enhance business opportunities between the state and South America with its opening of an office that will cover Colombia and Venezuela.
Enterprise Florida has based its Andean region operations in Bogotá because of the growth and stability of the Colombian economy, says President & CEO John Adams Jr. “We also chose Bogotá because of Colombia’s welcoming policies for bilateral trade and investment,” Adams explains. “It is a choice location for mutual trade missions and strengthening economic relations between the Andean region and Florida.”
Venezuela and Colombia are Florida’s fourth and seventh import customers, respectively, and collectively they nearly match the state’s top global trading partner, Brazil. “Our Andean region office plans to grow current regional trade and investment flows toward Florida,” says Manny Mencía, who oversees Enterprise Florida’s International Trade & Business Development division. “This office also will support Florida firms with business facilitation and market entry assistance, and promote trade missions that can benefit all areas of the state.”
The main goal of the new office is to advance the current import rankings to a solid first place in both trade and investments, says Antonio Herrera-Vaillant, the newly appointed director of Enterprise Florida’s Andean region operations. Simultaneously, efforts will be made to expand Florida exports to the Andean markets. Herrera-Vaillant foresees promising opportunities for the state because of Colombia’s robust business environment and its efforts to cultivate economic ties with the U.S. “Florida can and should take the lead in building on these possibilities that could be lucrative in the short and long term,” Herrera-Vaillant advises.
Before his recent appointment, Herrera-Vaillant spent eight years as director of Enterprise Florida’s Venezuela office, which discontinued in 2006 as the focus shifted to the Andean region. His background also includes stints as CEO of the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, editor-in-chief of Business Venezuela, and regional vice president for management for the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America.
“He brings a wealth of experience and contacts to his new role,” Mencía says.
Other key staff in the Andean office include Carolina Stone Herrera as deputy director and Sandra Ramírez Parada, as coordinator for Colombia.
Enterprise Florida Andean Office
Calle 98 #22-64, Suite 509
Bogotá, Colombia
T +571.6369340
C +57314.2255053 Bogotá
C +58414.2478013 Caracas
aherreravaillant@eflorida-andina.com
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the State of Florida. Headquartered in Orlando, EFI’s mission is to create and retain quality jobs and increase economic opportunities for Floridians by supporting strong and growing businesses and positioning Florida as a globally competitive business location. In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.