Florida Realtors® Part of Gov. Scott's Business Mission to France

PARIS, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Representing Florida's Realtors and the interests of the state's real estate industry, Florida Realtors® President Dean Asher and Senior Vice President of Public Policy John Sebree are in France this week with Gov. Rick Scott and other key business leaders to show French companies and individuals that "Florida is a great place to do business."

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The trade mission takes place from June 16-21 at the 50^th International Paris Air Show.

Gov. Rick Scott says, "Florida Realtors' leadership and members always do an exceptional job promoting Florida, both at home and abroad. As part of the economic development mission I have been leading this week, the state Realtor association has continued to encourage job growth and business development in the Sunshine State. Florida's housing market and economy are on the rise, and it is clear that the policies we are implementing to create opportunities for Florida families are working."

"The purpose of the governor's trade missions is to encourage business investment in Florida," says Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. "Such growth is important for Florida's future. Florida's economy and real estate markets are connected. When international companies make business investments in the state and create new jobs, it opens up so many opportunities for growth. People need homes and to develop locations for their companies – it strengthens the state."

Representatives from about 80 Florida-based aviation, aerospace and defense companies, educational institutions and economic development agencies are participating in the bi-annual Paris Air Show, which is recognized as one of the world's top aviation and space industry events, according to Enterprise Florida.

The Sunshine State is home to one of the largest aerospace and aviation industries in the U.S. – Florida has more than 2,000 companies related to the industry, 12 aviation military bases, three spaceports and dozens of colleges and academic programs that offer aerospace and aviation training. The industry employs more than 87,000 workers across the state.

During the event, Asher and Sebree met with members of the French national real estate federation, known as FNAIM, to discuss expanding the ties between the two associations, and developing more real estate opportunities. FNAIM is the largest professional real estate organization in Europe. The organization represents about 8,000 agencies and 37,000 real estate experts specializing in over 12 different professions in the property sale, management expertise and consultancy sector.

"French buyers see Florida as a great destination for a second home," says Asher. "According to Florida Realtors' latest research (the 2012 Profile of International Home Buyers in Florida), buyers from France are investing all over the state."

The 2012 report found that French nationals made up five percent of the international buyers purchasing homes in the Miami-Miami Beach area; five percent of the international home buyers in the Orlando-Kissimmee area; six percent of international home buyers in the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice area; and 10 percent of international home buyers in the Palm Beach area.

Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 118,000 members in 63 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

SOURCE Florida Realtors