FL H0301

Revives and amends section 288.386, Florida Statutes, to establish the Florida-Caribbean Basin Trade Initiative within the Seaport Employment Training Grant Program, contingent on specific appropriation.

Initiative assists small and medium-sized businesses in international trade activities, particularly in the Caribbean Basin, with focus on urban community businesses through export readiness services, internships, seminars, workshops, e-commerce, and mentoring.

Department of Economic Opportunity must coordinate initiative activities with Enterprise Florida, Inc., United States Export Assistance Centers, Florida Export Finance Corporation, Small Business Development Centers, and other appropriate organizations to avoid duplicating services.

Department shall develop performance measures for the initiative including the number of businesses assisted, number of urban businesses assisted, and the increase in export value to the Caribbean attributable to the initiative.

Effective date is July 1, 2012.