Georgia Companies Join State Trade Mission To Mexico

ATLANTA, October 17, 2011— The Trade Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development is leading a delegation to Mexico, Oct. 18 – 20, and will leverage Georgia's presence at the Expo Cihac Building and Construction Trade Show. Georgia companies participating in the trade mission are Adedge Technologies in Buford, MetalTech-USA in Peachtree City, Southern Aluminum Finishing in Atlanta, Superior International in Carrollton and U.S. Energy Sciences in Vidalia. Georgia's Mexico office will coordinate matchmaking services and provide market entry strategies in order for the Georgia companies to take advantage of business opportunities and foster strategic partnerships and establish mutually beneficial relationships in the Mexican market. The Expo Cihac Trade Show will be held in Mexico City, Mexico, Oct. 19-22, 2011, and is the leading specialized trade fair in Mexico and Latin America for the building and housing sectors. Over 57,400 visitors from 11 countries participated in last year's show. In 2010, Mexico was the United States' second largest export market for U.S. goods and Georgia's third largest export market for Georgia goods. The population is over 112 million people, with 60 percent classified as wealthy/upper middle/or middle class, and with a GDP of approximately $1 trillion; per capita income is $13,800. Mexico is a stable democracy and is bouncing back from the 2009 worldwide recession with a 5.5 percent increase in GDP, a higher percentage increase than in the USA. The total value of the construction sector totaled $70 billion in 2010 and it continues to develop and recover. Opportunities exist for private and government infrastructure projects. The State of Georgia has operated a trade office in Mexico since 1993 to help Georgia companies sell products and services in the market.  In January 2006, the office's focus changed from strictly a trade office to an international office representing Georgia's broader economic development interests, including trade, investment, tourism and film.  The office is located in Mexico City and is managed by Fernando Hanhausen. Georgia is home to the Consulate General of Mexico, ProMexico, the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Mexican American Business Chamber. The International Trade Division's upcoming November events include Georgia delegations to WATEC Conference in Israel; Medica Trade Show, Germany; and the Dubai Airshow in the UAE. Please call 404-962-4122 for more information regarding Georgia's trade services and programs. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm. The agency attracts new business, encourages the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and locates new markets for Georgia products. It also markets Georgia to tourists and promotes the state as a destination for arts events and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects. For more information, visit www.Georgia.org.