Recently, GDEcD International Trade Manager, Alice Carson, has been traveling across South America connecting Georgia businesses with new opportunities in Latin American markets. The mission involved stops in three countries: Colombia, Peru and Chile.

In 2017, Georgia exports to South America reached $2.1 billion. These markets represent opportunities for Georgia companies looking to diversify their sales into new markets. In particular, Georgia-sourced aircraft, woodpulp, paper and poultry have found considerable success in the LATAM region.

GDEcD’s Trade Division works closely with Georgia companies interested in the growth potential of LATAM markets. The state currently maintains representation in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru, where in-country representatives work closely with the department’s International Trade Team to create customized export strategies for Georgia companies. The process often starts with a quick market assessment to gauge the potential for a company’s product in the target market. If the report finds there is likelihood for success, the state’s international reps can help identify leads for promising business partners who can help the Georgia company penetrate the market.

GDEcD’s Trade Team provides a variety of services in addition to the market assessment and lead generation. These can range from answering specific questions related to an international market (i.e. regulatory standards, customs documentation, visa requirements, etc.), financial reports or credit checks on potential export partners, lists of key industry contacts and even assistance coordinating in-country appointments for Georgia companies traveling to a specific market. The team also organizes upwards of 20 different international events each year including trade missions, trade shows and in-bound buyer delegations.

During the two-week trade mission, GDEcD’s representatives in Chile, Colombia and Peru worked in tandem with our Atlanta-based team to coordinate more than 45 customized B2B meetings for Georgia companies participating in the mission. In addition to the meetings, GDEcD partnered with representatives from the U.S. Commercial Service and U.S. Embassy posts in all three countries to provide in-depth briefings on each market.

The trade mission will culminate with the 2018 EXPOMIN show in Santiago, Chile. The largest mining tradeshow in Latin America, EXPOMIN brings together more than 70,000 international visitors from all sectors of the mining industry.

Trade missions such as this offer unique, customizable opportunities for Georgia companies looking to travel in-market to help boost international sales. Companies are able to tailor their trip, choosing which mission stops to participate in and working one-on-one with Georgia’s Trade Team to make sure the itinerary and meetings achieve each company’s individual goals.

From the Georgia Department of Economic Development