ROGERS, ARKANSAS, USA - The World Trade Center Arkansas welcomed Consul of Mexico in Little Rock, Rodolfo Quilantán-Arenas on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.

Quilantán-Arenas met with World Trade Center leaders to discuss trade between Arkansas and Mexico and educational exchange with the University of Arkansas, which partners with the World Trade Center to fulfill its land grant mission to serve Arkansas and beyond.

“We were happy to welcome Señor Quilantán-Arenas and his wife Patricia, today,” said Dan Hendrix, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas. “This was an opportunity for us to strengthen our ties and develop a solid strategy for growing trade with one of our most important partners.”

The Consul’s mission is to represent the interests of Mexico and Mexican nationals throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma and western Tennessee, including Memphis. Quilantán-Arenas’ role as Consul means that he regularly works and interacts with Arkansans.

“The relationship of Arkansas and Mexico is growing exponentially,” he said. “Many jobs in Arkansas depend on the free trade agreement. We have a wonderful economic relationship.”

“One of the most important messages I can convey is that we have 25 years working within the legal framework of NAFTA,” he said. “We can see that this trilateral element has produced a wonderful, win-win resource for everyone involved. There is enough evidence that NAFTA and global trade produces benefits to everyone.”

Quilantán-Arenas is referencing widely-accepted evidence for the benefits of free trade. One example of this evidence can be seen in this Heritage Foundation Report on trade prosperity which argues that stronger economies, less hunger and cleaner environments are major benefits of free trade.

“History has shown us that peace and prosperity are achieved through trade,” said Melvin Torres, Director of Latin American Trade for the World Trade Center Arkansas.

“So we would like to lead a trade mission to Mexico and receive one from Mexico this year. At the same time, we want to grow the educational cooperation between our University and similar institutions in Mexico.”

Torres says it is imperative that we continue to foster the positive relationship between Arkansas and Mexico.

“This way we can cement a long-lasting partnership that will only grow through this natural and honest friendship.”

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. For more information and valuable updates, please follow the WTC Arkansas on Facebook and Twitter, or visit www.arwtc.org.

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