ROGERS, Ark. – The new Canada Public Policy Consul, Noӫlla De Maina, and Amy Gouder from the Canada Consul General Office in Dallas visited the World Trade Center Arkansas on Monday, Sept. 16, to meet the Arkansas community.

The Consul has been in her post for approximately one month and joins the Consulate General in Dallas along with a new Consul General. The Ice Cream Social event was attended by Arkansas businesses, University of Arkansas employees, and Stephanie Blevins, a representative from the office of the Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

"Continuing to grow our strong relationship with Arkansas' largest trade partner is important for Arkansas businesses and farmers." said Melvin Torres, director of Western Hemisphere Trade at the World Trade Center Arkansas. "Commercial diplomacy is an important effort we lead at the WTCA."

Canada is Arkansas' largest export partner, purchasing over $1.2 billion in goods alone, which represent 19% of all goods exported from Arkansas during 2018.

"We are fortunate to have good friends with Canada's government and our partnership only gets stronger with these type of events," Torres said.

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.

About the World Trade Center Arkansas: As Arkansas' global business resource, the World Trade Center Arkansas is a non-governmental organization helping Arkansas' business community compete more effectively in a global market. Since our inception in 2007, our mission has been to partner with numerous firms across the state to establish and strengthen their global presence through comprehensive international business services, global connections and professional development and networking events. In 2007, the University of Arkansas became the World Trade Center Association licensee solidifying the World Trade Center Arkansas as the operator within the World Trade Centers Association. This dynamic partnership provides an incomparable academic component to all of our organization's activities.The same year, a partnership was forged with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to strategically position our organization to facilitate and expand international trade for regional, statewide and global clients. We bring together businesses and governmental agencies involved in foreign trade to further our state's economic outlook and encourage stability through world trade development.

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 fewer than 3% of colleges and 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.