As U.S. exports hit a record $2.1 trillion in 2023, a growing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are setting their sights on global markets—and Latin America is emerging as a key destination. At the heart of this movement is international business consultant Gabriel Ramos Pimenta de Oliveira, whose 17-year career has been instrumental in guiding American businesses, particularly SMEs, through the complexities of cross-border trade and logistics.
From his base in Miami, Pimenta de Oliveira is bridging the gap between American innovation and Latin American demand, helping SMEs thrive in dynamic markets such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. His strategic expertise in market entry, logistics, and business development has led to tangible success for dozens of U.S. companies, many of which lacked the internal infrastructure to expand internationally on their own.
In a city like Los Angeles, where small businesses form the backbone of the local economy—accounting for more than 250,000 small firms and contributing to one of the largest regional GDPs in the nation—the need for global expansion strategies is pressing. With the Port of Los Angeles serving as the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere, L.A. businesses are uniquely positioned to take advantage of international trade, especially with Latin America.
“By strengthening the connection between U.S. SMEs and the rapidly growing economies in Latin America, we can unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and job creation,” says Pimenta. His tailored approach—built on market research, consumer behavior analysis, and supply chain optimization—is proving invaluable in helping companies scale globally.
Pimenta’s résumé includes key roles at Agility Logistics and Kuehne + Nagel, where he led expansion projects and developed trade lanes between the U.S. and Brazil. In 2019, under an L1 visa, he moved to the U.S. to manage high-impact trade operations. His work with global clients such as Amcor Rigid and Emerson Electric not only increased exports but also enhanced the U.S. industrial footprint in Latin America.
“Helping a company expand into Brazil or Argentina isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about understanding local regulations, customs dynamics, and consumer expectations,” explains Pimenta. “We’ve seen huge demand in sectors like technology, packaging, and industrial equipment.”
Latin America: A Region on the Rise
With the World Bank projecting a 2.3% economic growth in Latin America in 2024, the region is becoming increasingly attractive to U.S. exporters. Countries like Brazil and Mexico are hungry for American products, particularly in industries such as energy, tech, and consumer goods—sectors where Los Angeles companies are already competitive.
Pimenta’s role in this ecosystem is to eliminate the guesswork. “My job is to remove barriers,” he says. “That could mean structuring logistics solutions, adapting marketing strategies, or simply translating market expectations into actionable steps.”
As Business Development Manager at Kuehne + Nagel, one of the world’s largest logistics providers, Pimenta now helps U.S. companies of all sizes navigate Latin American markets. His work is especially timely as more businesses from cities like Los Angeles explore growth beyond U.S. borders.
His success speaks for itself: from unlocking trade partnerships to fostering international job creation, Gabriel Pimenta de Oliveira is shaping the next chapter of American entrepreneurship—one border at a time.
With global markets evolving rapidly, his expertise could prove essential for Los Angeles businesses looking to remain globally relevant.
About Gabriel Ramos Pimenta de Oliveira
With more than 17 years of experience in international trade and market strategy, Gabriel Pimenta de Oliveira is a Business Development Manager at Kuehne + Nagel. He specializes in supporting U.S. SMEs in expanding into the Latin American market and has led projects for major firms including Amcor Rigid, Emerson Electric, and Kordsa Global.