| Fostering Bilateral Trade and Investment Flows Between Brazil and Florida |
As Consul General of Brazil in Miami, I am committed to working closely with the Council, in order to foster closer economic ties between both regions, especially at a time international trade has become a top priority to the Brazilian foreign policy." Ambassador Adalnio Senna Ganem, His Excellency the Consul General of Brazil
"I want to thank the Brazil-Florida Business Council and Founding President Sueli Bonaparte for all you are doing to strengthen relationships between Florida and Brazil and create more opportunities for business and Florida families. Brazil continues to be Florida's number one international trade partner, and we want to make Florida first for job creation so families have more opportunities to live their dreams." Rick Scott, His Excellency, the Honorable Governor of Florida
Bob Buckhorn, The Honorable Mayor of Tampa A Message from the Founding President
Dear Members, Partners and Friends: We are very pleased to announce Mr. James O’Rourke, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Mosaic Company as the recipient of the 2018 Brazil-Florida Business Award. This prestigious honor is awarded annually to remarkable business leaders and corporations for their extraordinary contributions to the economic development of Brazil and Florida. James O’Rourke, also known as “Joc”, has been Mosaic's Chief Executive Officer and President since August 2015. Prior to that, Mr. O'Rourke served in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Operations since joining the company in 2009. He has over 25 years of experience in operating global mining enterprises and has spearheaded a variety of large scale expansion projects. Mr. O'Rourke was selected as awardee by the Brazil-Florida Business Council (BFBC) for his continued contributions to the economic and social lives of both Brazil and Florida. At Mosaic, he has led programs to improve operational efficiency, lower production costs and advance sustainability performance through water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The Mosaic Company is one of the world’s leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients for the global agriculture industry. Florida is the home of Mosaic’s phosphate operations headquarters. Mosaic's recent acquisition of Vale Fertilizantes in Brazil, is the next step in its global growth strategy and expands the company's market access to one of the key agricultural economies in the world. The acquisition doubled the size of Mosaic's global workforce and grew its output in the Americas by adding 4.5 million tons of phosphate production capacity in Brazil. Mr. Jose Luis Cutrale, Chairman of the Board at the Cutrale Group and the 2017 Brazil-Florida Business Award honoree will introduce Mr. O’Rourke on this special occasion. This annual BFBC signature event and most anticipated Brazil-Florida Business Award Luncheon will be held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina at 12 PM on November 7, 2018. We hope you will join us to salute Mr. O’Rourke and welcome Mr. Cutrale back to Tampa! Best regards, Sueli Sueli Cristina Bonaparte Read more President Messages here. Council News Led by Shining Star, Brazil Business Council Gains Traction
One of the most active is the Brazil-Florida Business Council, which after only three years in operations has gained a reputation for its high-profile Brazilian guests while scoring strong feedback from attendees of its events, who lavish praise on the council’s founder, Sao Paulo native Sueli Bonaparte. Read more at Latinvex. Bonaparte: Brazil Back on Track
Latinvex: To what extent have recent economic reforms in Brazil helped interest in Brazil among US companies? Bonaparte: Despite Brazil’s dismal economic performance, foreign direct investment has hit record highs amid recent reforms. Savvy US companies recognize Brazil’s underlying economic fundamentals and see this is a historic buying opportunity. The economic team of the current administration has brought confidence to the international financial market and they have quickly taken essential actions to bring the economy back on track. Despite modest economic growth forecasted for the coming year, analysts expect that the new administration will continue pro-growth policies to foster more robust economic recovery in the coming years. Read more at Latinvex. Council helps businesses in Brazil, Florida navigate bureaucracy
Sueli Bonaparte - President and FounderTAMPA, June 17 — Brazil is Florida’s No. 1 trade partner when it comes to exports. But getting in the door isn’t easy. Cutting through red tape and tariffs requires a sharp tool. Enter Sueli Bonaparte, who for 17 years served as executive director of the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce in New York City, slicing through bureaucracy to create international partnerships. After moving to Florida a few years back, Bonaparte said, she saw a lot of untapped potential for connecting business threads between this state and her native Brazil. Read more. Encontro realizado em São Paulo auxilia investidores brasileiros interessados em ingressar no estado da Flórida
Uma das maiores ambições de empresários brasileiros é fazer com que seu negócio seja reconhecido internacionalmente, porém, muitos não possuem as informações e regras para trilhar esse caminho. Pensando em auxiliar esses executivos, as organizações Brazil-Florida Business Council (BFBC), Enterprise Flórida e APEX-Brasil, que trabalham na intensificação do relacionamento entre o estado da Flórida e o Brasil, realizaram no último dia 7 de julho, em São Paulo, um encontro com o objetivo de apresentar estratégias para o investidor interessado em ter uma fatia de seu negócio nos EUA. Com o tema "Investindo na Flórida: desafios e oportunidades", o encontro foi apresentado pela presidente-fundadora, Sueli Bonaparte, e contou com a participação de líderes empresariais com filiais no estado americano. Read more. Member Spotlight We are proud to highlight the following Council members in President's Circle and Patron membership levels. Learn more about prestigious companies who have selected the Brazil-Florida Business Council as their partner to foster business relationships between Brazil and Florida. If you wish to upgrade your membership category, contact us.
Citrus Products, Inc. was established 40 years ago in the business of importing and distribution of citrus products (orange juices and by-products) as a wholesale. The company operates an orange juice terminal in the Port of Newark, NJ and has offices in Orlando, FL. Our mission is to be a worldwide consistent source of high quality orange juice, its products and services, adding value to the citrus business, respecting the community and the environment.
More than a century ago, Gerdau began its expansion path and now has a presence in 13 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Peru, U.S., Uruguay and Venezuela. Its products, sold on five continents, serve the civil construction, industrial and agricultural sectors. Gerdau products, in all their diverse forms, have a day-to-day presence in the lives of people. They are an integral part of the structure of homes, shopping centers, hospitals, bridges and hydroelectric plants; they are part of power and telephone lines; they are raw material for automotive parts and they can be found at work on the farm. For more information, click here.
HAYMAN-WOODWARD PLLC is a U.S. Law Firm solely focused on Global Mobility, Immigration, and all areas of US Federal law. With its headquarters positioned in the heart of Washington DC, HAYMAN-WOODWARD PLLC is one of the most prestigious international law firms in the United States, supporting companies and individuals, in their challenges to build value across borders. HAYMAN-WOODWARD PLLC is affiliated with HAYMAN-WOODWARD CORP, a Business Advisory Group which has been providing Family Office Services, Business Development Advisory, Technology Management, Consumer Trends, Behavior Analysis & Profiling, and Business Consulting Services since 1996 with unparalleled experience and access across most industry segments and governments. Our firm helps clients attain their global mobility goals as well as become high-performance businesses. HAYMAN-WOODWARD’s clientele is comprised of individuals and businesses all sizes, from small enterprises to Fortune 100 companies; as well as helping governments become more efficient. HAYMAN-WOODWARD PLLC assists its clients’ tax and immigration (visas) needs worldwide, seamlessly bridging cultural gaps and ensuring clients continued success in the new market of their choice. HAYMAN-WOODWARD’s team of legal professionals and management have a combined experience of over twenty years in their fields. We have staff attorneys who are licensed to practice in the United States of America, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Portugal, England & Wales, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil.
We also have an experienced team that specializes in international assets, composed of professionals from Brazil, other Latin American countries and the United States, through whom it offers specific solutions for each type of investor, according to the profile and investing horizon. XP Investments and XP Investimentos belong to the same group: They share the same support pillars of personalized advice, impartiality, and focus on the best interests of clients.
In a market with fewer economic barriers, it is important to be in constant contact with specialized professionals who are in tune with world economic trends. In such a global market, it is vital to have qualified consultants certified in specific countries to help ensure proper international accounting, taxation and legal compliance, with security and excellence. In this challenging environment, Drummond Advisors was created to fulfill the needs of companies operating in both the Brazilian and U.S. markets. In order to deliver an exceptional level of high quality service, the consulting performed by Drummond Advisors presents a set of skills that differentiates us in the market, allowing greater efficiency, timeliness and promptness in service. We mean to always work in partnership with our clients, ensuring their accounting, tax, legal and market needs are aligned to your goals, thus enabling sustainable financial decisions and successfully exits.
| SAVE THE DATE JULY 18, 2018 MID-YEAR APPRECIATION LUNCHEON Location: Tampa, FL Members Only!
JULY 26, 2018 MID-YEAR APPRECIATION LUNCHEON Location: Miami, FL Members only 9 DE AGOSTO DE 2018 ALMOÇO PALESTRA Local: São Paulo, SP. Brasil Exclusivo para Associados/Convidados AUGUST 30, 2018 PREMIUM MEMBERS SPECIAL LUNCHEON Guest: Consul General of Brazil, Adalnio Ganem Location: Tampa, FL By Invitation Only OCTOBER 4, 2018 WINE PAIRING NETWORKING RECEPTION
For BFBC Members Only Location: Tampa, FL Registration opening soon INTERVIEW SERIES Brazil Central Bank President on Economic Outlook for 2018 Brazil Finance Minister on Investment, International Trade, Pension Reform. (Bloomberg.com) THANK YOU MEMBERS MEMBER VIDEOS Tampa International Airport Expansion Virtual Tour FEATURED VIDEOS Breakfast with Ilan Goldfjan Telemundo Coverage 2018 Brazil Business Forum Brazil-Florida Business Award Luncheon 2017: TESTIMONIALS
"Sueli is relentless in pursuing excellence for Brazil-US relations, and she should really be congratulated for that. Honestly, we highly respect her work and all the great things she’s done now, she’s doing it here." "I'd like to say how excited we are for the launching of the Brazil-Florida Business Council and the important work they'll do in further connecting Brazil's and Florida's business communities and promoting Brazilian companies in Florida." David Neeleman, Azul Brazilian Airlines "It is important to work with partners such as the Brazil-Florida Business Council to help counsel and advise American companies about doing business in Brazil." Stephen Knode, United States Commercial Service "Brazil continues to be Florida's largest global market for trade and FDI. The partnership between the Brazilian Office of Enterprise Florida and the Brazil-Florida Business Council play a vital role to capitalize on business prospects in both regions." Fabio Yamada, Enterprise Florida Brazil "A Sueli é uma locomotiva para o desenvolvimento de negócios, ela não se cansa de procurar meios para auxiliar o crescimento de todos, prova disso é a Brazil Florida Business Council que em tão pouco tempo já alcançou tamanha expressão e mostra o tempo todo ao que veio, aglutinando mais interesse no Brasil e esse tipo de iniciativa faltava na Florida.” Marcelo Fleury, LAFINSA “ I am always impressed with the quality of work you do to promote Florida. Outstanding!” Atila Noronha, former President, Outback Brazil |
"The impressive growth in the bilateral flow of trade, investments and tourists has turned Brazil into one of Florida's most important partners. The Brazil-Florida Business Council is, therefore, an important channel to encourage closer cooperation between business communities in Brazil and in the state of Florida..jpg)
"Sueli, the amazing energy that you bring to this cause is astounding. I envision this organization and the relationship to go long beyond certainly my tenure as a mayor, and I think building a bond between Brazil and Florida, particularly between Brazil and Tampa, is going to be important. The Brazil-Florida Business Council can play a vital role to the economic growth of the city. If we are going to be the city we want to be, we will have to expand our horizons and be global in our perspective and global in our actions.".jpg)
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Although The White House, Commerce Department and US Trade Representative’s Office are all led by protectionists these days, various chambers of commerce throughout the United States are moving ahead with promoting two-way trade and investment flows between the United States and Latin America.
Brazil’s economy, Latin America’s largest, is back on track, says Sueli Bonaparte, president of the Brazil-Florida Business Council (BFBC). In this interview with Latinvex, Bonaparte talks about the outlook for Brazil’s economy, US investor interest, investment grade and why she started the BFBC.
Brazil is Florida’s No. 1 trade partner when it comes to exports, but getting in the door isn’t easy. The Brazil-Florida Business Council provides a forum for business people to exchange ideas and network.
Gerdau is the leading company in the production of long steel in the Americas and one of the major suppliers of specialty long steel in the world. With more than 45,000 employees, Gerdau has an installed capacity of more than 25 million metric tons of steel and it is the largest recycler in Latin America, and around the world, it transforms millions of metric tons of scrap into steel every year.
XP Investments is a securities broker (broker dealer), member FINRA and NFA, and registered with the SEC. We have two offices in the United States, one in New York, concentrating services to institutional clients, and the other in Miami, concentrating services to retail clients.
Azul 
A15 Investments is a Brazilian company investing in basic education in the United States. The company started operations in Florida, envisioning opportunities in the Sunshine State. Through a partnership with Kiddie Academy, one of the largest American franchisers of educational childcare, and leveraging 40 years education experience in Brazil, it established the first school from scratch: buying the land, building the property and managing the school operations. The company plans to build dozens of schools in the coming years. 
Drummond Advisors has a multidisciplinary team with experience and certifications to operate in the United States and Brazil. Our team has accountants, lawyers, managers and consultants with experience in international business. The qualifications of these professionals enables Drummond to have a broad and complete overview of the challenges involved in international transactions, including those relating to accounting standards (US GAAP vs. IFRS-International Standards), tax, legal and market analysis.
JurITis USA (TOTVS official partner), based in South Florida and with more than 30 years of experience supporting top Latin American law and accounting firms, JurITis USA is a niche channel for professional services software solutions by TOTVS, one of the world's top software companies. We deliver fully integrated, cloud-based software for billing, timesheets, finance, bookkeeping, analytics and key performance indicators (KPIs), enabling you to centralize, streamline and improve your company’s operations.
Miami International Airport (MIA), located on 3,230 acres of land near downtown Miami, is operated by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and is the property of Miami-Dade County government. Founded in 1928, MIA now offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, is America’s second-busiest airport for international passengers, boasts a lineup over 100 air carriers and is the top U.S. airport for international freight. MIA is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating business revenue of $33.7 billion annually and welcoming 70 percent of all international visitors to Florida. MIA’s vision is to grow from a recognized hemispheric hub to a global airport of choice that offers customers a world-class experience and an expanded route network with direct passenger and cargo access to all world regions.
New York Life Insurance Company (NYLIC) is the third-largest life insurance company in the United States and one of the largest life insurers in the world, ranking #61 on the 2016 Fortune 500 list, with about $550 billion in total assets under management, and more than $21 billion in surplus and AVR. In 2007, NYLIC achieved the best possible ratings by the four independent rating companies (Standard & Poor's, AM Best, Moody's and Fitch). Other New York Life affiliates provide an array of securities products and services, as well as institutional and retail mutual funds
Tampa International Airport is consistently ranked among the world’s top airports, serving more than 19 million passengers annually with routes to more than 80 destinations around the world. In the past few years, the airport has received top awards on the state, national and international levels, including being named the No. 2 domestic airport in reader polls by both Travel + Leisure magazine and Condé Nast Traveler. Tampa International recently completed the largest construction program in airport history, expanding its main terminal and opening a 1.4-mile people mover extending to a new, state-of-the-art rental car facility. It is also undergoing a complete concessions redevelopment, adding 69 new shops, restaurants and services with an emphasis on local flavor, brands and designs. For more information, click 
