U.S. Chamber Highlights Importance of U.S.-China Trade for Miami-Area Businesses

MIAMI, FL—As part of a ten-city tour highlighting America’s growing trade relationship with China, today the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce brought Florida’s small and midsize businesses together with international trade experts as part of a forum to highlight growth opportunities in China.

The event underscored the growing importance of Florida’s commercial ties with China and armed area businesses with information on how to overcome Chinese regulatory hurdles in order to market and export their goods. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhang Yesui met with individual participants and addressed the forum on the many growth opportunities in China for American exporters.

“China is a rapidly growing economy that Florida’s businesses must access,” said Tami Overby, vice president of the Asia Division for the U.S. Chamber. “Florida’s local businesses have the products that consumers in China want and need. Our goal in holding these programs is to help them better understand the opportunity that trade with China represents, which can lead to more business growth and jobs for Florida.”

Following a national trend, Florida’s economic prosperity is growing increasingly reliant on the global economy and the growth of exports. In 2008, Florida exported $54.3 billion in manufactured goods, which supported more than 413,200 manufacturing jobs. Meanwhile, Florida exported $2.2 billion in agricultural products, which supported more than 25,400 agricultural jobs. Of the 33,503 Florida companies that exported goods in 2007, 95% were small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 500 employees. Nationally, that percentage rises to 97%.

“The American business community stands to significantly benefit by tapping a vast market for export and investment opportunities, which creates jobs at home,” said Overby. “That is why the U.S. Chamber actively supports greater access to the Chinese market. Trade with China can provide Florida businesses access to tens of millions of new customers and provide an important source of growth in the highly competitive global economy.”

Beyond providing an overview of the business climate in China, the U.S. Chamber and its TradeRoots programs provide hands-on information on such topics as finding suitable partners, licensing, sales and marketing, distribution and trading, customs clearance, and regulatory issues.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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