The World Trade Center Arkansas hosted two officials from United Kingdom consular offices on Friday last week in Rogers. The officials gave an informative discussion on Britain's exit from the European Union, or "Brexit," and the current status of U.S.-U.K. relations.

The two visiting officials were Dan Rutstein, the regional director for the West Coast-Central U.S. and the head of investment for the U.S. at the British Consulate General in Los Angeles, and Kate Anderson, vice consul and trade officer for consumer goods from the Department of International Trade at the British Consulate General in Chicago.

During the introductory briefing on the Brexit and U.S.-U.K. relations, Rutstein emphasized that trade is in Britain's interest, that the British government is pro-business and government officials responsible for overseeing the exit are listening to the concerns of industry leaders and businesses.

After the introductory briefing, the two opened the discussion for questions. Among the different topics inquired by participants were the nature of a future free trade agreement between the United States and Britain, sectors of opportunity for U.S. companies and what new talent-based visa requirements to enter into the United Kingdom might look like.

"Being able to host foreign officials for these discussions allows us to play a vital role for the Arkansas international business community," said Dan Hendrix, president and CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas. "We strive to bring relevant and significant information to Arkansas companies that will help them make strategic decisions on trade matters."

The United Kingdom is Arkansas' fifth largest export market and the state has exported nearly $1 billion to the U.K. since 2013. From 2016 to 2017, annual state exports to the U.K. grew by 75 percent from $143 million to $250 million.

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. The center is part of the University of Arkansas and serves as the trade promotion arm for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. For more information and valuable updates, please follow the center on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the World Trade Center Arkansas newsletter.