World Trade Center Arkansas Hosts UK Officials for Brexit Update

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 delivers an informative briefing on Brexit and U.S.-U.K. relations at the World Trade Center Arkansas on Friday, June 29.
Photo by Sam Cushman

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 delivers an informative briefing on Brexit and U.S.-U.K. relations at the World Trade Center Arkansas on Friday, June 29.

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.

Contacts

Sam Cushman, strategic communications and public information
World Trade Center Arkansas
479-418-4803, scushman@uark.edu

Headlines

The World as a Classroom: The Executive M.B.A. Program at U of A

The program, offered through the Sam M. Walton College of Business, blends online learning with face-to-face interaction and applied studies in a real-time international immersion trip.

Keri Blakinger, Author of 'Corrections in Ink,' to Speak at Fayetteville Public Library April 22

Blakinger, an award-winning journalist now at the Los Angeles Times, will talk about her memoir and her work as a reporter at 6 p.m. April 22 at the Fayetteville Public Library's Walker Community Room.

Visit With University Libraries and Pat Walker Health Center's Medical Services at Carnival Today

Employees are invited to meet fellow workers from units across campus including the University Libraries and the Pat Walker Health Center at today's Making Your Day Work Carnival at the Arkansas Union.

Farewell Reception April 3 for Fulbright College's Lisa Summerford

The campus community is invited to celebrate Summerford's achievements and to wish her well during a drop-in retirement reception from 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, in the Fulbright College Dean's Office in Old Main 523.

Rachel McGathy Retiring After 25 Years

There will be a reception to celebrate McGathy's retirement from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, in the downstairs breakroom at Uptown East.

News Daily