The World Trade Center Arkansas signed a strategic memorandum of understanding for cooperation and resource sharing with fellow World Trade Centers Cancun, Winnipeg and Queretaro at the World Trade Centers Association Member Seminar in New York City on Monday, Oct. 15.

The memorandum of understanding outlines key areas of cooperation in multiple provisions relating to export promotion, economic development and education. The provisions cover:

• Sharing trade intelligence and market research,
• Business matchmaking and referral services, and
• Trade mission facilitation

Other provisions in the document include event facilitation, establishing liaison offices in respective party regions, and sharing strategic communications resources for media contacts and promotions.

"Recently there is a more concentrated effort among fellow World Trade Centers to identify key partners in the Association and help one another reach common trade promotion objectives," said Dan Hendrix, president and CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas. "Mexico and Canada are very important trading partners for Arkansas so this new alliance with World Trade Centers Cancun, Queretaro and Winnipeg will serve as another avenue to grow trading relationships that benefit Arkansas companies."

Hendrix signed the memorandum of understanding in New York alongside representatives from Queretaro, Cancun and Winnipeg. The World Trade Centers Association is a global network consisting of 319 World Trade Centers in 91 countries across the world. For more information about the Association visit wtca.org.

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.