Central America Trade Mission
Central America Trade Mission and Business Conference - August 21-26, 2022
The 2022 Trade Americas, Central America Trade Mission and Business Conference program offers U.S. companies the opportunity to explore six markets in the Central America Region: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.
Hosted in San Jose, Costa Rica, the Trade Americas – Business Opportunities in the Central America Conference will focus on region-specific sessions, market entry strategies, export compliance, legal, logistics, disaster resilience and recovery and trade financing resources. You will also be able to have prearranged one-on-one consultations with U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (US & FCS) commercial officers and/or Department of State economic/commercial officers with expertise in commercial markets throughout the region.
The combination of the Trade Americas conference and customized business-to-business matchmaking appointments in ONE or TWO countries with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, or joint venture partners will provide participants with strategies for expanding their business across the region.
Why Central America?
Close Proximity - The Central America region is a natural commercial partner of the United States, tied closely together by geography, history, and culture.
Great Potential for U.S. Exports - The region offers good opportunity for U.S. exports. The Central America region has 53 million potential customers who collectively imported over $25 billion of U.S. goods in 2020.
Free Trade Agreements - The United States and Central America enjoy a growing trade relationship, which became even stronger after implementation of the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). As of January 1, 2015, most U.S. consumer and industrial goods enter CAFTA-DR countries duty free (for goods that meet the country-of-origin requirements). In general, CAFTA-DR has been very successful for all parties. Intra-regional trade among Central American countries and the Dominican Republic increased from $6.3 billion in 2010 to more than $10 billion by 2020.
The Root Causes Strategy - As a result of U.S. engagement under the Root Causes Strategy, Customs and border systems in Central America are more efficient and less subject to malfeasance, there is increased alignment and reduced redundancy of regulations across the region, and infrastructure projects better facilitate trade. The strategy seeks to enhance and diversify trade to include new export sectors, including those that reinforce U.S. supply chain needs.
Why You Should Join?
By attending this conference and trade mission, U.S. companies will be able to:
- Gain market insights,
- Make industry contacts,
- Solidify business strategies,
- Advance specific projects, and
- Identify potential partners.
All business-to-business appointments in the region will be with a pre-screened potential buyer, agent, distributor or joint venture partner.
Register your interest here.
Targeted U.S. Products and Services
The mission is open to U.S. companies with at least 51 percent U.S. content from a cross section of industries with growth potential in the Central America, but is focused on the following sectors:
|
Agriculture and Agro-processing Automotive Parts and Accessories and Service Equipment Cosmetics Cybersecurity Construction Equipment Design and Construction Disposable Medical Supplies Education and Training Energy |
Franchising Information and Communications Technology, Medical Equipment Plastics Processed foods Safety and Security Equipment Solar Energy Products Travel and Tourism |
Depending on market potential, mission participants may request a customized business matchmaking service in up to TWO countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.
Fees & Expenses
If accepted on the Trade Mission, the fees are as follows:
| Conference Only: | $500 per participant |
| Conference plus B2B Meetings in One Country: |
$2,500 for small and medium sized enterprises** $4,000 for large firms** |
| Conference plus B2B Meetings in Two Countries: |
$3,500 for small and medium sized enterprises** $5,000 for large firms** |
There will be a $300 fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME) that wishes to participate in business-to-business meetings in any of the markets selected.
* Expenses for travel, transportation, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant.
** As a federal agency, the U.S. Department of Commerce must follow the Small Business Administration’s small business size standards per the Small Business Act of 2013.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application and supplemental application materials, including adequate information on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation no later than June 17, 2022.
Submitting an application is indication of your interest to participate in the mission. No fees are due at the time of registering your intent to join the mission. Once you are invited to join the mission payment of mission fees and the signature of the participation agreement is then due in order to participate in the mission.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The 2022 Trade Americas – Business Opportunities in the Central America Conference and Trade Mission to the Central America is an excellent opportunity to position your organization as a market leader in promoting trade throughout the region.
The conference will be held in San Jose, Costa Rica on August 21-22, 2022, with a focus on region-specific sessions, market entry strategies, legal, logistics, negotiation, disaster recovery and trade financing resources. There will also be prearranged one-on- one consultations with U.S. commercial officers and diplomats representing 6 countries based in Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.
In conjunction with the conference, the U.S. Department of Commerce in partnership with the State Department is organizing a multi-industry trade mission, from August 23- 26, 2022, which will provide participants the optimal venue to connect directly with business opportunities in the Caribbean region.
Your organization will have the opportunity to:
- Promote your brand, products, and services to hundreds of U.S. companies and businesses in the Central America region
- Participate in tailored discussions on business issues impacting trade within the region
- Network with commercial and economic officers working in U.S. Embassies covering 7 countries from the Central America region
- Directly engage with U.S. firms and Central America companies
Benefits of Becoming an Official Sponsor:
Your organization will receive visibility and customized services prior to and during the conference. The webinar series, conference, and the trade mission will be heavily promoted throughout the U.S. international business community and in the Central America region. Your organization will be recognized according to your selected level of participation:
For questions or to become a sponsor, contact Diego.Gattesco@trade.gov or Robert.Stackpole@trade.gov
Doing Business in Central America Webinar Series
The International Trade Administration (ITA) invites U.S. exporters to a webinar series focused on business opportunities in Central America. Starting in September, each session will cover an overview of a selected market, its key sectors, reasons to consider doing business there, and ITA resources available to exporters interested in doing business in the market.
Register today for any these sessions or for the entire eleven-part webinar series:
- September 16, 2021 - Doing Business in Panama
- September 30, 2021 - Doing Business in Costa Rica
- October 21, 2021 - Doing Business in El Salvador
- November 18, 2021 - Doing Business in Honduras
- December 16, 2021 - Doing Business in Guatemala
- January 6, 2022 - Doing Business in Belize
If you are interested in all of the webinars, please register for the entire series.
Cost: $35 per participant per webinar or $120 for the entire series per company. If you are interested in all of the webinars, please register for the entire series.
Questions?
Jorge Arce
jorge.arce@trade.gov
Laura Krishnan
laura.krishnan@trade.gov
Delia Valdivia
delia.valdivia@trade.gov
Diego Gattesco
diego.gattesco@trade.gov
Robert Stackpole
robert.stackpole@trade.gov
Isabel Davila
isabel.davila@trade.gov
Lesa Forbes
lesa.forbes@trade.gov