Tampa Bay exporters coming to the country in Dec.: tampabay.com

Santo Domingo.- The Florida-based Tampa Bay Export Allianceis leading an export sales mission to the Dominican Republic on December 5-8,tampabay.com reports Wednesday.

“The alliance, a cooperative effort between Pinellas CountyEconomic Development and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp., wascreated to help local businesses grow by increasing international exportopportunities,” the outlet reports.

The alliance announced the mission Tuesday, ad notes thatthe Dominican Republic is Florida’s fifth largest export market. “The U.S. isby far the Dominican Republic’s largest trading partner, accounting for 70percent of consumer goods imported into the Caribbean island nation.”

"Working with our partners at the U.S. CommercialService, we will offer clients selected to participate in this mission expertcounseling on their market entry and expansion strategy and an opportunity toconnect with trade partners during personalized, one-on-one matchmakingsessions," said Brent Barkway, international business development managerat Pinellas County Economic Development, as reported by the outlet.

Tampabay.com adds that top sectors for U.S. exports includeair conditioning and refrigeration equipment; automobile parts and services;agricultural products; building products; hotel and restaurant equipment;medical equipment; renewable energy; printing and graphics arts equipment andsupplies; safety and security equipment; and telecommunications equipment.