Home
Governor's International Trade Advisory Board

Image 

Gateway Florida Chairman Amb. Chuck Cobb and President Brian Dean were invited to attend the Governor’s International Advisory Think Tank in Orlando on Thursday, October 23, 2008. The objective of the meeting was to bring together appropriate stakeholders representing various sectors and state regions in Florida’s international business community to reach a consensus on the local issues inhibiting the practices and processes of our international commerce. In order to reach this objective, the following goals were set forth:

1.    To establish a common understanding of the current context and challenges facing Florida in pursuit of both increased international trade and foreign investment.
2.    To determine as a group the strengths, problems and threats to Florida’s leadership role in international trade and foreign investment.
3.    To identify consensus priorities related to international trade and foreign investment that may shape future administrative program development, policy and budget recommendations.

The meeting showed that due to Foreign Direct Investment and increasing levels of international visitors, the short-term perspective on Florida is favorable. Florida will be positioned to deepen global relationships and there needs to be an initiative to create a modern logistics center and incentivize “brain” exports and FDI. These opportunities must be taken advantage of in the face of the global economic slowdown attributed to the credit crisis.  

While Florida remains at an advantageous position, there are concerns that the state and local budget cutbacks will impact global trade capacity. In order to combat these tendencies, there must be a unified effort to rebuff protectionism by promoting the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative. There was a general consensus on this suggestion.

 

Appointment: Brian Dean was appointed by the Governor’s Office to be Chairman of the Florida Trade Advocacy Group (FTAG).

Recommendations to the Governor (Brief Form):
  • To continue support for the three pending bilateral free trade agreements (Colombia, Panama and South Korea)
  • Endorsement of the “Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas”
  • Protect physical security while balancing the need for economic development and facilitation of trade and travel
  • Support the use of the state’s Strategic Intermodal System as a means to leverage available federal funds

 Click "Read More" for full recommendations.

Gateway Florida recommends that the Governor…

Regarding Trade Agreements:

...Continue to urge the Florida Congressional delegation to support the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Act, the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Act, and the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, and exercise leadership in bringing the agreements to an up or down vote.

...Support the continuation of the Andean Trade Preferences (ATP/DEA) for Peru until the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Act is fully-implemented and for Colombia until the U.S. Colombia Trade Promotion Act is enacted and fully-implemented.

Regarding Hemispheric Integration:

...Endorse the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas Initiative because of its potential to reinvigorate the hemispheric trade integration and to promote Florida’s stake in increased trade in the Americas. The Governor’s endorsement of the “Pathways to Prosperity” initiative will establish Florida’s central role and leadership in the Pathways process. It will also support efforts to promote a headquarters or permanent secretariat for Pathways to Prosperity in Florida.

Regarding Homeland Security and Economic Development:

...Advocate federal policies that seek to protect our physical security while balancing the need for economic development and facilitation to trade and travel, so critical to Florida’s economic well-being.

Regarding Immigration and Travel Faciliation:

...Endorse efforts to enable Florida businesses to host their non-U.S. counterparts with minimal delay in the issuance of the necessary visas.

...Support the issuance of employment-based visas and similar instruments that encourage investment and facilitate the issuance of visas.

...Support the creation of an immigrant visa for investors who buy properties (both residential and commercial) in the United States. This can be done by either creating a new immigrant visa category for international investors or expanding the current US immigrant visa policy for investors.

...Customs and Cargo Inspection

...Support efforts to train and increase in number the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at our ports of entry.

...Work with the Florida Ports Council and the Florida Airports Council to promote reasonable alternatives to measures proposed by Congress to require 100% cargo container inspection and 100% screening of air cargo.

...Endorse efforts to increase the speed and efficiency of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections at our air and sea ports, including providing sufficient staff resources.

Regarding Trade Infrastructure:

...Meet with the state’s modal partners, agency heads, and other stakeholders and to spearhead the effort to address Florida’s integrated multi-modal strategic infrastructure needs. Take this plan to Washington as soon as possible, communicate it to our Congressional Delegation Members, and see that Florida is in line for its share of available funds.

Regarding Airports:

...Support a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization which reflects the need to increase investment in airport improvement and construction.

...Support efforts to remove the AMT penalty on airport bonds.

...Oppose efforts to limit ports of entry for imports to facilities that have FDA testing facilities.

...Support the application of American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, along with fellow oneworld alliance airlines Finnair and Royal Jordanian for global antitrust immunity.
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]