Latin Trade Group's Trade Americas Expo Partners With The Inter-American Development Bank's ConnectAmericas Platform

MIAMI, June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Latin Trade Group, the leading provider of information and business services to companies operating in Latin America has partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank's (IDB) recently launched ConnectAmericas initiative, to host the Trade Americas & ConnectAmericas Expo on September 3 – 4, 2014 in Miami.

ConnectAmericas is the first social network for businesses in the Americas, designed to link small and medium size companies with potential clients, suppliers, partners and investors to enable them to penetrate international markets.  

"Latin Trade Group is honored to partner with the Inter-American Development Bank in the groundbreaking ConnectAmericas initiative, and to launch the face-to-face and live business matchmaking component of the online platform," said Latin Trade Group CEO Rosemary Winters.

More than 5,650 people have registered on ConnectAmericas.com, which was launched in March. The site, the first of its kind, offers free international business matchmaking services, as well as online courses, information on financing, trade data and tips on becoming export-ready.  

"ConnectAmericas is designed to help businesses take the leap to go international, to become savvy exporters and establish a trusted network of business contacts and financing sources throughout the world," said Fabrizio Opertti, the project manager of ConnectAmericas and chief of the Trade and Investment Unit in the IDB's Integration and Trade sector.

During the past few years, the IDB has consolidated strong business communities in two industries: Global Services and Food Products, gained by organizing in-person business roundtables such as Outsource2LAC and LAC Flavors throughout the region. Both of those industry segments have special communities on the ConnectAmericas site, and a new community for the infrastructure industry will be launched at the Trade Americas & ConnectAmericas Expo.

Infrastructure development is key to ensuring Latin America's future prosperity. IDB studies indicate the region needs to double its current investment in infrastructure development to remain internationally competitive. According to the Latin Business Chronicle 2014 Latin Infrastructure Guide, infrastructure bids in the region this year include 23 projects in six countries with a total combined value of $32.65 billion.

"Trade Americas & ConnectAmericas are a natural fit," said Winters. "The Expo will bring together key players in the infrastructure sector from throughout the Americas – the government agencies, the large corporations and the SMEs, to break down the barriers preventing progress in the industry, building on the connections from the digital platform to develop in-person business matchmaking and networking, as well as expand on the learning and financing opportunities."

Trade Americas & ConnectAmericas Expo partners include: Enterprise Florida, the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the US-Mexico Border Energy Forum XXI, and WEConnect International. Media partners include: CNN, PR Newswire and Newlink Group. 

ConnectAmericas partners include: Alibaba.com, DHL, Google and Visa.

For more information, please visit http://tradeamericas.com/ and http://connectamericas.com/ or listen to the kickoff webinar at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/269/4711.

Latin Trade Group is a leading provider of information and business services to companies operating in Latin America. It publishes award-winning content in Spanish and English for distribution throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States through print, online media and events. Latin Trade Group publishes Latin Trade magazine, Latin Business Chronicle, and is the organizer of the Latin Trade Symposium and BRAVO Business Awards, the LT CFO Series for financial executives of multinational corporations, and Trade Americas & Connect Americas Expo.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the leading provider of development financing and technical assistance in Latin America and the Caribbean. It supports efforts by governments and the private sector to improve standards of living through programs aimed at reducing poverty and inequality and promoting sustainable and climate-friendly development.

Media Contact: 
Paula Gomez 
786-522-0177 
[email protected]

SOURCE Latin Trade Group