U.S. Commercial Service Connects Virginia Firms With International Buyers at Trade Winds Forum in Mexico City

Nine Virginia Companies set to Participate in National Export Initiative Event

ARLINGTON, Va., April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration is hosting the 2011 Trade Winds Forum – The Americas conference in Mexico City from April 6-12, 2011 with the goal of building U.S. exports to Mexico and across the Western Hemisphere.  

At Trade Winds, nine Virginia companies are joining more than 120 U.S. companies from 25 states to meet with senior U.S. Commercial Officers representing 20 countries from U.S. embassies and consulates across the Western Hemisphere.  In addition, U.S. small businesses will be conducting over 300 matchmaking meetings with Mexican companies in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.  All companies have been prescreened to facilitate new export opportunities for U.S. business.  

During the conference, U.S. companies will learn the latest on market trends and opportunities, marketing intelligence, business climate, and U.S. Commercial Service resources available to connect U.S. companies with prospective buyers in Mexico and across the region.    

The Americas represents one of the most lucrative regions in the world for U.S. companies.  Total U.S. merchandise exports to the Americas reached $550 billion in 2010, an increase of 24 percent over 2009.   Mexico is the United States' third largest trading partner, and U.S. merchandise exports reached $163 billion in 2010, an increase of  27 percent over the previous year.  

In January 2010, President Obama announced the National Export Initiative (NEI) which aims to double U.S. exports by 2015.  The Trade Winds Forum is a furtherance of the NEI, and reflects the importance of Mexico and the Western Hemisphere as an important market for U.S. small and medium-sized companies.

Through its offices in Northern Virginia and Richmond, the U.S. Commercial Service helps Virginia firms increase export sales to new markets abroad, helping to retain and support U.S. jobs.

For more information on Trade Winds visit:  www.buyusa.gov/northcarolina/tradewindsmexico.html

For information on a U.S. Commercial Service office near you visit: www.trade.gov/cs

International Trade Administration is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,100 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 77 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Commercial Service