"I am in China and everything went very well thanks to the invitation we received last year, and since then, the opportunities have been arising. We already have an order for three pallets in Guanzhou!"

"(...) I have talked to several customers at the event and I'm already negotiating to close some orders for containers of quinoa, nuts, and beans, and then we are moving forward with the business. I reiterate my congratulations to the entire ConnectAmericas team. We hope they continue to organize more virtual business events (since everything will be soon digitalized), and that they maintain all projects to support entrepreneurs from all over the world."

"It is a totally free virtual business platform.Thanks to ConnectAmericas I was able to get in touch with colleagues in my sector and international buyers."

Since joining the platform, Dennis has already exported about 200 tons of his product, both fresh and processed (dehydrated, canned, in jams and sauces), and has sold around half a Million dollars to the United States, Canada, England and Poland, thanks to the network he made at ConnectAmericas. "The platform works really well. You complete your profile, then you gradually learn about the options available and how to find companies related to your sector."

On what she did when the pandemic hit: "I relied heavily on the IDB, I signed up for all the webinars, I loved them Everything that the IDB has done... in LAC Flavors [last in year in Cali, Colombia] I met with buyers from differents parts of the world, showed them my product. The fact that I could connect with the IDB via Zoom or videoconference, I'm very grateful."

The sales of his company, Global Service International, increased 36.3% between 2018 and 2019, and he has already found partners and buyers in 11 countries in Latin America: "The platform is well done, it is what SMEs need. It is difficult to do it [export] in another way and my company's growth has been evident."

"For us, it was a really interesting opportunity to source really qualified partners. It was a great possibility to have good e-meetings with suppliers from Latin and Central America. All the meetings have great potential to develop into further commercial relations. We aim that these meetings may generate a trade relation with an economic impact on the local communities, as many of these companies work directly with local producers or are manufacturers bringing employment to their region."

About Outsource2LAC Virtual 2020: "I just wanted to congratulate you on the excellent work organizing O2LAC. It is the first time that I participate in the event, and I've been fascinated--I admire the professionalism that comes through in the organization, logistics, coordination, moderation and quality of the presentations (...) I'm from Guatemala, I have participated in events and organized several big international events, and know what it takes, which is why I feel I can congratulate you, because I know what organizing something of this level entails."

In 2019 Montanos' Chocolate Company from Trinidad and Tobago had the opportunity to pitch the Machel Montano 60% dark Chocolate at Trade Missions in Colombia and South Korea. This was made possible through ConnectAmericas. As a result, we met with buyers and Distributors who have sinced indicated their interest in our product and resulted in a distribution agreement. These experiences have definitely provided our company with opportunities to export our product. Thanks to ConnectAmericas. Love and greetings from TT.