ROGERS, Ark. -- Recently, the World Trade Center Arkansas was invited to attend a reception in honor of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Viet Nam. The reception was hosted by His Excellency Pham Quang Vinh, the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on July 30 at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington D.C. Boon Tan, senior director of global trade strategy, attended the event on behalf of the Center. This visit was in recognition of the blossoming relationship between Arkansas and Viet Nam, in particular Dong Nai Province.

Boon Tan with Ambassador Arouna at the Benin National Day Celebration

 The Ambassador accepted an invitation to visit Arkansas during a courtesy call at the Viet Nam Embassy. A few possible activities were discussed for his visit, including presentations that advocate the trade opportunities between Arkansas and Viet Nam, as well as the progress of the Trans Pacific Partnership. The Ambassador expressed interest in visiting the newly established Vietnamese trade office in Bentonville. No specific dates have been determined yet.

Boon Tan with Minister (Commercial) Prayoth of the Royal Thai Embassy

While in Washington D.C., Tan also met with Minister (Commercial)Prayoth of the Office of Commerical Affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy to discuss trade opportunities between Arkansas and Thailand. He also met with Ambassador Ashok Kumar Mirpuri from Singapore and Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. from the Philippines. 

Tan was also invited to attend the Benin National Day celebration on Aug. 1 while in Washington D.C. At the event, Tan met with Ambassador Omar Arouna, and extended him an invitation to visit Arkansas. It is on Ambassador Aurouna’s agenda to visit southern states in the U.S. so a visit to Arkansas is possible.