ROGERS, Ark. — Students and faculty in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas will soon be able to study in Italy, thanks to agreements developed through the Arkansas World Trade Center.

On a trade mission to Brescia, Italy, in February, Walton College entered into an agreement with Università Degli Studi Di Brescia and Instituto Internationale Per Lo Sviluppo Sostenibile. The trade mission was coordinated by the Arkansas World Trade Center.

“The agreement will facilitate joint research, consulting projects and educational cooperation between the three universities,” said Joseph A. Ziegler, director of the Walton College International Programs and chair of the economics department.

The Arkansas World Trade Center, an organization of the University of Arkansas with offices in Rogers, was established in the fall of 2006. The purpose of the trade center is to bring together businesses and government agencies involved in foreign trade to enhance the economic outlook for the state of Arkansas and the region. It will also offer practical experience to UA students interested in global business. The Fayetteville campus of the University of Arkansas is one of the few universities to establish a world trade center. Last spring, U.S. Rep. John Boozman of Arkansas’ 3^rd Congressional District took a leadership role with community business leaders, UA officials and area chamber executives to establish the center.

Dan Hendrix, president and chief executive officer of the Arkansas World Trade Center, along with Arnie Sherman of the Montana World Trade Center and Giacinto Muscicco of the Brescia State University, facilitated the trip to Italy and helped coordinate the agreement. Hendrix said, “Congressman John Boozman also participated in the signings and met with the United States consul general for Italy, Deborah E. Graze. Congressman Denny Rehberg of Montana led the delegation.” Montana also has a world trade center affiliated with the University of Montana. 

The delegations from Arkansas and Montana met with the chambers of commerce and community leaders from Brescia, Verona and Vercelli, Italy, to explore opportunities for Arkansas companies.

Hendrix met with Massimo Peroni, the commissioner of Italy tourism, to promote Arkansas to Italian tourists.

Ziegler said, “These agreements are the basis for a broad range of programs between the universities including student and faculty exchanges, joint programs, projects, conferences and workshops. They support the Walton College’s efforts to extend its educational and research activities on a global basis. We look forward to working with these Italian universities.”

The World Trade Centers Association is a not-for-profit, nonpolitical association dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of world trade. The association connects its members to the global trade community in almost 300 cities and 90 countries through a powerful array of information and services. More than 750,000 companies are affiliated with the World Trade Center Association worldwide. The mission of the association is to support the establishment and successful operation of individual world trade centers, which enhances stability, peace, world trade and development, leading to economic growth.