FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The state of Arkansas and the World Trade Center Arkansas are receiving a visit by a delegation from Côte d'Ivoire, the official French name for the nation known in English as the Ivory Coast. A forum will take place in Little Rock on Monday, Nov. 17, to host the Côte d'Ivoire Economic Promotion Bureau.

 The large delegation will be led by Daouda Diabate, ambassador to the United States; Youssoufou Bamba, Côte d'Ivoire’s ambassador to the United Nations; Kouakou K. Christophe, consul general to the United States, and Mr. Inza Camara, delegate general of SPECI Côte d'Ivoire. Dan Hendrix from the World Trade Center Arkansas and Grant Tennille, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission will receive the delegation and represent Arkansas.

This event has been organized to match the business and education sectors of both regions.  The Côte d'Ivoire government officials in this delegation will also explore agriculture opportunities and sustainable solutions with our state.

  Officials from numerous state agencies and organizations will be attending the event, which will include cultural programming in addition to the business and economic elements.

It is one of the roles of the World Trade Center Arkansas to help Arkansas business and political leaders to understand the evolving political and regulatory landscape of nations such as Côte d'Ivoire in order to help maximize their resources. During the forum, prospective partners will learn the growth potential and economic incentives of this West African nation. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at the Marriott Hotel in Little Rock, 3 Statehouse Plaza.

To learn more about this event and registration, please contact Denise Thomas, deniset@uark.edu, 479-418-4821. 

The World Trade Center Arkansas is an affiliate of the University of Arkansas and provides an educational component through all the U of A college units, in addition to the Sam M. Walton College of Business international programs, utilizing student interns from universities statewide to work with individuals and companies in their international business initiatives, while training students in practical applications of international business.