UA Joins World Trade Center Association (Editorial)

The University of Arkansas has become a member of the World Trade Center Association — one of three universities in the U.S. to enter into such an agreement.
University officials think it will bring together businesses and government agencies involved in foreign trade to enhance the economic outlook for the state and region.
The trade center is a nonprofit, nonpolitical association whose mission is to support the establishment and successful operation of individual world trade centers, which enhances stability, peace, world trade and development, leading to economic growth.
It connects members to the global trade community in almost 300 cities and 90 countries through information and various services.
More than 750,000 companies worldwide are affiliated with the World Trade Center Association.
In its application, the university said, “The Arkansas World Trade Center will provide a variety of services to international executives, business support services and government agencies. The center will support export and import trade initiatives and will be a source of information and services for businesses in the region to traverse the sometimes daunting cross into international trade. It will offer a trade specialist program and facilitate the education of undergraduates, graduate students and faculty in international trade through the Sam M. Walton College of Business.”
The center will be supported by state and federal funding as well as program revenue from private memberships of statewide businesses.We agree with UA Chancellor John White, who said, “It’s a win-win situation for our state and is a valuable education outreach tool for the university.”