Tampa Bay Welcomes Brazil-Florida Business Council

Tampa, FL, February 6, 2015 (Newswire.com) - The Brazil-Florida Business Council ("BFBC") officially opened for business earlier this year at its inaugural board meeting on January 15. The BFBC, based in Tampa Bay, will serve as the recognized state-wide business council driving bilateral business opportunities between Florida and Brazil. With an advisory board already consisting of some of the most influential and recognized names in US-Brazil circles, this membership based organization offers an outstanding opportunity for U.S. and Brazilian firms in Florida to promote bilateral business opportunities and help shape the conversation for future growth.

Founder and President Sueli Bonaparte, a native of São Paulo, Brazil and former Executive Director of the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce in New York, has devoted more than 25 years of her professional career to forging closer ties between the business communities of Brazil and the United States."Brazil's economic influence in Florida has grown exponentially, and Brazilian businesses are opening offices in counties all across the state", said Bonaparte. "Florida is in an exceptional strategic position with respect to trade with Brazil - the world's seventh largest economy. It's the right time and Tampa is the right place to launch this organization."

Regional business and economic development leaders applauded the initiative. "I am pleased to welcome the new Brazil-Florida Business Council to our community", said Rick Homans, President and CEO of Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation. "Brazil is one of our region's leading markets for international trade, investment and tourism development. We look forward to strengthening our economic ties with the country and continuing to build on the relationships created during our successful trade mission to São Paulo and Porto Alegre in 2013."

David Neeleman, Founder and President of Azul Brazilian Airlines and a member of the BFBC's Advisory Board, stressed the importance of the organization. "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." Azul began direct flights from Brazil to Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando last year to serve the increasing number of Brazilians visiting and doing business in Florida.

The BFBC will coordinate events in both Florida and Brazil ranging from investment seminars to networking luncheons. There will also be opportunities for members to get involved in special initiatives.

The Brazil-Florida Business Council, Inc. ("BFBC"), a Tampa-based business organization was established to foster bilateral trade and investment opportunities between Brazil and the State of Florida, support initiatives and entities that facilitate the flow of goods, services and people and to drive economic growth and opportunities for communities in both regions.

For more information about the organization or membership, email info@brazilfloridabusiness.com