Denise Thomas, the director of African and Middle East trade for the World Trade Center Arkansas, visited Pescara and Rome from April 1-9 to meet with trade officials at the World Trade Center Pescara and explore export training opportunities for businesses.

Thomas also attended the academic conference surrounding the 30th Anniversary of the University of Arkansas Rome Center and met with Rome Center administration to discuss educational opportunities for students in global commerce.

In Pescara, she met with trade officials to explore putting together a training program for Italy and Arkansas businesses designed to help them export to the respective countries.

"Our partnership with World Trade Center Pescara through the WTCA puts us in a strategic position to engage businesses in Italy that might have an interest in Arkansas products and services or in doing business with Arkansas companies," Thomas said. "Right now the food industry is very strong in Italy so we're looking at developing training for Arkansas businesses and agriculture producers to meet the European Union requirements for exporting to Italy."

In addition to training for Arkansas businesses, Thomas is working to develop reciprocal training for Italian businesses. This training will likely cover areas such as exporting basics, logistics, licensing, customs and other industry specific information as well as an emphasis on food exports. Specific food related areas may include Food and Drug Administration certification, labeling requirements and retailer requirements.

"We are planning to partner with the U.S. Commercial Service, which can help us provide greater support and educational assistance to Arkansas companies," Thomas said. "We hope to finalize a program later this year and then organize special training events and invite companies to join."

For more information about this opportunity or to request specific information on a topic of interest, contact Thomas via email at deniset@uark.edu or subscribe to the World Trade Center Arkansas newsletter at arwtc.org/subscribe to learn when these training opportunities will become available.

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.