Miami-Dade County is the Business Center of the Americas,
attracting businesses worldwide that choose to open their Latin American
headquarters in South Florida. During 2003, a total of 1,200
multinational corporations were established in Florida. More than 1.1
million people make up Miami-Dade County's labor force. Although
slightly above the State of Florida unemployment average, the area has an
unemployment rate around 7.0 percent. The employment growth sectors
in Miami-Dade County include, professional and business services, education,
health services, and construction. Trade, also one of Miami-Dade's
largest business sectors, is an important component of the area's
economy. The 2002 total merchandise trade was $50
billion. The new Trade Mission Center of the Americas, organized
within the Miami-Dade County's Mayor's office, will focus on expanding imports
and exports.