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International Trade With Palm Beach County: Tour Shows It's An Idea that Really Holds Water PALM BEACH COUNTY-- After taking a two-day Familiarization Tour (FAM) of Palm Beach County in March, the Consulate of the Netherlands in Miami was so impressed that they quickly organized a trade delegation of Dutch government and water industry representatives to come and see for themselves. “The Netherlands has world class expertise in sea, canal, and artificial wetlands water control that we can adapt to Palm Beach County” said Al Zucaro, Chairman of World Trade Center Palm Beach. The delegation, which will include both government officials, research institutes, and major water and water technology company leaders, will be coming to Palm Beach County June 10 to 13 in search of exchange of knowledge and expertise with South Florida Water Management District and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Dutch visitors also want to explore potential opportunities to partner with local companies who are at the leading edge of water management technology. For all local companies on June 18, an International Business Curriculum course will be offered through Palm Beach Community College. This is in cooperation with the World Trade Center. Direct business and government contacts with foreign delegations, such as this one, will be used to educate local firms on how to trade overseas. The Netherlands, which is mostly below sea level, has out of necessity developed water management technology itself, and that is why they are so interested in what local firms, the Army Corps of Engineers, South Water Management District, and the Everglades Restoration Project have to offer. Since the U.S. government approved $8 billion towards the restoration of the Everglades over the next decade, the future of Florida’s canals and Lake Okeechobee are also being closely studied. Dutch water technology and engineering companies have been working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers lending their expertise in the recovery of New Orleans, as well as, assisting California state officials in developing near and long term engineering and environmental responses for problems in the California Bay Delta and along the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers in California’s Central Valley. With their visit to Palm Beach County, they are hoping to partner with local companies to find solutions to Florida’s water challenges. Over the past three years, there have been five FAM tours of Palm Beach County. “The FAM tours are immensely beneficial to everyone involved,” said Al Zucaro. “They foster increased trade and promote cross-cultural awareness. This return visit illustrates the enormous positive impact the FAM Tours create.” Zucaro is also careful to point out that water management is only part of what Palm Beach County has to offer the world. “There are a number of world-class industries, bioscience, aerospace, finance, insurance, high technology, to name a few, here in the For more information about this and other upcoming FAM tours, contact Barbara Fiedor at 561-644-9186 or bfiedor@wtcpalmbeach.com.
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