Office Depot Acquires Business in Hungary
Office Depot Inc., based in Delray Beach, recently announced that it has completed the acquisition of the business of Elso Iroda Superstore Kft, which has been operating Office Depot retail stores and direct sales businesses in Hungary under license from Office Depot. The acquisition will be Office Depot's first expansion into Eastern Europe as a wholly owned business, rather than under licensed arrangements. The company currently operates three retail stores, a distribution center and Internet sales facility in Hungary and will open a fourth retail store later this year.

IVAX Makes a Bid for Polfa Kutno
IVAX Corp., a pharmaceutical company based in Miami, has made an offer to acquire up to 100%, but not less than 75% of the shares Kutnowskie Zaklady Farmaceutyczne Polfa SA ("Polfa Kutno), a leading pharmaceutical company in Poland. Poland, which joined the European Union on May 1, 2004, is one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the European Union. IVAX develops, manufactures, and markets branded and brand equivalent (generic) pharmaceuticals and veterinary products in the U.S. and internationally.

World Fuel Services Purchases Tramp Oil Group
Miami-based World Fuel Services Corp. recently acquired all of the outstanding shares of Tramp Holdings Limited, the London-based holding company of the Tramp Oil group of companies. The Tramp companies will operate as a business unit within the World Fuel Services marine business group, effective immediately. Tramp is one of the largest independent resellers of marine fuel in the world and, as a subsidiary of World Fuel, Tramp will remain active in global marine markets using its own brand name. World Fuel Services provides fuel and services at more than 2,200 airports and seaports worldwide.

RailAmerica Enters Into Agreement to Sell Freight Australia
RailAmerica, based in Boca Raton has entered into an agreement to sell 100% of its ownership of Freight Australia for AUD $285 million (US $214 million) to Pacific National, a leading Australian rail freight logistics company. RailAmerica purchased Freight Australia from the Victorian State Government in April 1999 for AUD $163 million (US $103 million). RailAmerica is the world's largest short line and regional railroad operator with 47 railroads operating approximately 12,000 miles in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

HEICO Enters into Strategic Alliance with Japan Airlines
HEICO Corp., based in Hollywood, Fla., has entered into a long-term exclusive supply agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL), providing for a Strategic Relationship between HEICO's Flight Support Group and JAL. HEICO is the world's largest independent designer, manufacturer, and distributor of FAA Approved Replacement Parts for jet engines and aircraft components.

Hamburg SŸd and JAXPORT Sign New Contract
The German-based shipping company Hamburg SŸd and the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), have entered into a new three year operating and lease agreement effective January 1, 2004, with a renewal option for three additional years. Under the new agreement, Hamburg SŸd will continue to operate its East Coast South American and Venezuelan consortium service from JAXPORT's Talleyrand Terminal, serving 10 container lines in the consortium.

Port of Miami Signs International Sister Seaports Agreements
In an effort to enhance economic development between the Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami-Dade County and international seaports, the Port of Miami has entered into three International Sister Seaports Agreements with Colombia's Port of San Andres Islands, the Port of Belize and Nicaragua's Autoridad Portuaria de Rama. Since 1998, the Port of Miami has signed thirty cooperative agreements with seaports in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Under the umbrella of the International Sister Seaports Program, the agreements aspire to nurture economic relationships by sharing pertinent information related to the cruise and cargo industries.

ThinkGlobal Receives Export Appreciation Award
ThinkGlobal Inc., publisher of the ThinkGlobal Florida International Trade Newsfolio, received an export appreciation award from the U.S. Commerce Department during a World Trade Week conference in New York. In addition to the Florida "newsfolio," ThinkGlobal produces similar publications for Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. The award is given for significant contributions to promoting international trade. More information is available online at www.thinkglobal.net

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