Denise Thomas, director of Africa and Middle East Trade will visit Belarus from Tuesday, June 27, to Monday, July 3, to meet with government leaders and participate in the IX International Investment Forum.

The forum takes place in Bobruisk, a city in the Mogilev Region of Belarus. The World Trade Center Arkansas developed a strong relationship with industry leaders and government officials in May when the Center hosted an inbound trade mission from the Mogilev region.

"We had one of our most successful trade missions when these Belorussians visited in May," Thomas said. "We were able to build the foundation of a strong relationship, and this trip serves as the next step on a path towards friendship that will be beneficial to both Arkansas and Belarus."

Wednesday, Thomas was in Minsk visiting with the Belarusian State University leadership. She discussed future opportunities for educational exchange with students and professors of Arkansas universities and Arkansas-Belarus international exchange. She also explored opportunities for Belarussian graduate and doctoral students to attend the U of A.

Her agenda included meetings with the governor of the Mogilev region, a meeting with the mayor of Bobruisk, a meeting in Minsk with the head of the Department of American and Canada for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a visit to Kommunarka, one of the largest confectionary producers in Belarus and one of the members of the inbound delegation in May.

Thomas' participation in the Belarus international forum this weekend will be an opportunity to continue developing the relationship between Belarus and Arkansas to promote bilateral trade and educational exchange.

The mission of the World Trade Center Arkansas is to grow trade and increase Arkansas exports by connecting Arkansas businesses to the world through international trade services. For more information and valuable updates, please follow the Center on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the World Trade Center Arkansas newsletter.