ROGERS, Ark. – The World Trade Center Arkansas will host an inbound trade mission with its partner, World Trade Center Querétaro, which seeks to recruit Arkansas companies to sell products or services to Querétaro, Mexico. Querétaro has more than 20 industrial parks, 45 research and development centers, more than 800 world-class companies and top level universities.

The WTC Arkansas will facilitate meetings between Arkansas companies interested in meeting WTC Querétaro representatives and the Consul General of Mexico in Little Rock. There is no cost to join the meetings which take place at the World Trade Center Arkansas in Rogers on Dec. 17 and in Little Rock and Jonesboro on Dec. 18, 2018.

The diplomats and representatives will explain and discuss how to start the export partner matchmaking process. Companies interested in meeting with the representatives and diplomats to learn how to sell to the region and Mexico as a whole can contact Melvin Torres, director of Western Hemisphere Trade for the World Trade Center Arkansas, to participate in the trade mission or fill out the interest form here. “It’s a testament to Arkansas’ economic attractiveness that foreign trade and diplomatic representatives are so deeply interested in our state’s products and services they actually seek out Arkansas companies to sell in their home country,” Torres said. “Usually, the foreign trade officials visit our state to recruit buyers. This is a unique opportunity for Arkansas companies to take advantage of a market that is seeking them out.”

Much economic and higher education activity between Querétaro and Arkansas already exists, making the region a natural partner to grow business and explore educational opportunities with Arkansas companies and universities.

“This raises the opportunities of many young Mexicans and Americans to be able to actualize their knowledge and generate a more promising future for both countries that will lead our region and world,” said Carlos Uribe, chief operating officer of World Trade Center Querétaro & Cancún. Uribe will join Torres in the meetings with Arkansas companies as the representative from WTC Querétaro.

After participating in the Arkansas meetings, the next step for any company seeking to sell to the region is to use WTC Querétaro’s business-to-business matchmaking service to find the best fit for their company. If a match is found, the Arkansas company can then decide to arrange the business-to-business meetings at the WTC Querétaro in Mexico during the World Trade Centers Association’s 50th General Assembly in April 2019.

The World Trade Center Arkansas will facilitate the meetings at the General Assembly for Arkansas companies. STEP Grant funds may be available for eligible Arkansas small businesses concerns to offset the cost.

About the World Trade Center Arkansas: 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 Office of Economic Development 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.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.