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Mission and Principles

Mission Statement

To expand businesses and create jobs in Broward County through the support, and promotion of both tourism and trade, by increased exports and direct foreign investments in the local economy by:

• Promoting tourism, ecotourism the great quality of life and the advantages of a gateway for visiting, living, and investing in Broward County;
• Expanding the base of Broward manufacturers and service producers involved in direct export/import sales through foreign distribution networks;
• Supporting the efforts of Broward manufacturing firms to increase their market share in foreign markets and realize their export/import potential through export/import intermediaries;
• Developing export/import promotion synergies through complementary partnerships through/with county, state and national wide networks of economic development organizations and export/import finance agencies; and
• Supporting the efforts of Broward companies and organizations in the formation of a global technology hub that will increase capital investments and develop the workforce to spur economic growth.

To establish and maintain Broward County as a globally competitive knowledge-based economy, by creating an environment that will foster tourism, growth, and expansion for businesses in Broward County.

Principles for Success

Broward County international business assistance should incorporate the following elements in order to be effective and sustainable:

• County activities should complement and integrate the trade and investment activities of other organizations within the County. Trade partnerships are essential with the County, the private sector, the State of Florida and the federal government. The County is the logical entity to provide the leadership and support that enable export-ready firms to be able to access trade information and counseling.
• International business relationships must be built over the long term. The County's international business development program should commit to continuity of a core level of effort in overseas markets. The County is represented quite well in this area through aggressive marketing by Port Everglades, the Airport and the CVB.
• The County should adopt those key markets already identified by Enterprise Florida, Inc. that have been proven to have a successful track record. This will alleviate duplicating and overextending efforts to cover all world markets. Within each targeted international market, assistance should focus on the sectors that represent the greatest potential for the County for increased trade and investment. In essence, County activities must reflect both instate capacity and international market demand. For example, in Asia, the concentration is on high technology; tourism; and agriculture and food products.
• The County must focus on providing assistance to those qualified firms that are staffed, financed and committed to marketing and transacting sales overseas.
• International markets are generally fluid and fast-moving. County activities should be flexible and should incorporate constant evaluation and reevaluation so that programs do not continue beyond their usefulness. The County should provide those services that government is best positioned to provide, and its trade activities should be chosen to yield the maximum economic return to the County relative to the investment of public funds.
• The County must monitor commercial events in neighboring Caribbean and Latin American nations, to capitalize on trade opportunities as they emerge. Broward County's favorable geographic location and transportation infrastructure should strategically position it 's business community to be an important player, as any new market emerges. Staff should monitor events and provide briefing meetings to report any emerging opportunities and to determine potential commercial impact.

Organizational Roles & Responsibilities

Within Broward County government, the Office of Economic Development, Port Everglades, Aviation and the Convention & Visitors Bureau are the logical lead agencies for developing an international trade program, subject to the approval of the Board of County Commissioners. While each agency has its own specific responsibilities and authority, they would collaborate on the following:

• Developing an overall County trade strategy for the Board of County Commissioners approval.
• Designating and developing the infrastructure for potential sites for foreign consulates.
• Developing and strengthening the infrastructure for an inventory of Broward County's services. (i.e., Customs)
• Developing working relationships with the private and other public sector entities within County, State & Federal government.
• Developing and advocating County trade initiatives to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
• Evaluating and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the County 's trade service delivery system.