MASSACHUSETTS OPENS SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE OFFICE
The Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI) announced the opening of the state’s new South American trade office in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The new office will help individual Massachusetts companies increase their exports to countries in South America and will work to attract foreign direct investment from the region.
“In the past decade, Brazil and its neighbors have become increasingly important trading partners for the Commonwealth,” said Christa Bleyleben, executive director for MOITI. “Total exports to South America, Central America and Mexico have grown more than 50 percent and exceed $2 billion a year. This new office will help Massachusetts companies export even more to the region.”
 |
Santiago, Chile |
According to Bleyleben, this is a good time to open the office because the region is investing heavily in market sectors that are strong in Massachusetts including medical devices, biotechnology, precision machinery and energy technology.
“Developing market opportunities abroad for Massachusetts companies helps us create new jobs here,” said Deb Shufrin, director for the Department of Business and Technology. “A report from the Organization for International Investment ranked Massachusetts as 6th in the nation in its share of such ‘insourced’ jobs, representing close to 200,000 jobs, or more than six percent of the Massachusetts workforce. Our current foreign direct investment pipeline represents the potential for almost 1,100 new jobs and $127 million in private investment for Massachusetts.”
In 2006, Massachusetts exported over $300 million to Brazil and $509 million of products to this region. In addition to the program a unique opportunity exists for one-on-one meetings to discuss your company’s international endeavors into the region.
Through the new Brazil office, Massachusetts companies can receive assistance with market overview studies as well as search services for distributors and clients. Visitors will have full access to information on Massachusetts including its business environment, investment zones, trade shows, regional information and state services.
For more information on Massachusetts investment and export opportunities please contact the Brazil office directly, by phone: (55 11) 3051-9080 or by e-mail: massbrazil@massbrazil.com.br
