About 100 U.S. Companies Head To Latin America

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- U.S. companies have their sights set on Latin America.

About 100 U.S. companies and economic development organizations will be in Latin America this week - exploring business and investment opportunities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Trade Winds mission is taking companies from 23 states and various sectors in an effort to connect them with opportunities throughout the region.

"The United States exported nearly $273 billion in goods in 2015 to the markets we're visiting at Trade Winds," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Arun Kumar. "We have historic trade relationships in the region, plus some beneficial existing trade agreements, so this is a great market for companies of any size."

The trip that lasts from Wednesday to Friday includes a business forum in Santiago, Chile. Some companies are also participating in missions in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

During the missions, the U.S. company members will meet with Latin government leaders and potential business partners.

The Commerce Department says they expect to facilitate about 400 meetings between businesses during the trip.