Gov. Asa Hutchinson; Dan Hendrix, president and CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas; and Boon Tan, senior director for global trade, Asia, opened the Arkansas booth at the Paris Air Show with a ribbon-cutting Monday. This is the first year for Arkansas to exhibit at the show, the world's largest aviation and aerospace trade show. The World Trade Center Arkansas is a major sponsor of the booth and recruited Arkansas companies to attend. The purpose of the trip is to promote trade and investment in Arkansas.

The International Paris Air Show dates back to 1909. More than 2,200 exhibitors will be present at this year's show.

"The Paris Air Show presents a wonderful opportunity for us to share the many reasons the aerospace sector is thriving in Arkansas," said Hutchinson. "We will meet with companies ranging from small start-ups to the largest aerospace companies in the world. We have only been here a short time and I'm already encouraged by the reception we are receiving from companies who know little about the state."

Arkansas is home to nearly 180 well-known companies in the aerospace industry, include Dassault Aviation, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon Missile Systems. Aerospace was Arkansas' largest export in 2014, totaling $1.6 billion.

Partners attending the Paris Air Show along with Hutchinson and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission include representatives of the Arkansas World Trade Center, Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, Arkansas Aeroplex in Blytheville, NanoMech, Galley Support Innovations, Northwest Arkansas Council and Metro Little Rock Alliance. The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Aerospace and Defense Alliance are also sponsoring the Arkansas delegation but are not attending the show.

About the World Trade Center Arkansas: As Arkansas' global business resource, the World Trade Center Arkansas is a non-governmental organization helping the Arkansas business community compete more effectively in a global market. Since its inception in 2007, its mission has been to partner with numerous firms across the state to establish and strengthen their global presence through comprehensive international business services, global connections and professional development and networking events.

In 2007, the University of Arkansas became the World Trade Center Association licensee solidifying the World Trade Center Arkansas as the operator within the World Trade Centers Association. This dynamic partnership provides an incomparable academic component to all of our organization's activities.

The same year, a partnership was forged with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to strategically position its organization to facilitate and expand international trade for regional, statewide and global clients.

The center brings together businesses and governmental agencies involved in foreign trade to further the state's economic outlook and encourage stability through world trade development.