The below story was included in University of Arkansas Newswire, September 29.World Trade Center Arkansas Goes South Of Equator in October
On October 9-14, the World Trade Center Arkansas will lead a trade mission to Brazil and attend the 42nd World Trade Center Association General Assembly.
The WTC Arkansas professionals leading the trade mission are: Dan Hendrix, President and CEO; Herbert Morales, Director of Latin America Trade Development; Boon Tan, Director of Asia Trade Development; and Natalia Moreno, Latin America Trade Development Intern.
The trade mission delegation will include corporate representatives, professionals and educators. Businesses represented will include Rebounces, LLC , HP Engineering, and FRI Consulting. Dr. Andrew Horowitz, Professor of Economics at Sam. M. Walton College of Business and two Walton college students will also accompany the trade delegation.
Adding to this strategically competitive position, Brazil has been scheduled to host the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games. The FIFA World Cup 2014 will held in twelve of Brazil’s cities: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo.
Consequently, Brazil is undertaking many infrastructure projects in preparation for these events.. The Brazilian National Development Bank programs assure that projects related to the World Cup will be built with particular emphasis on power efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Current projects underway include, but are not limited to the following:
· Olympic Village Clinic (three state-of-the art hospitals)
· Modernizing and enlarging two airport terminals
· Highway widening to accommodate “Olympic Lanes”
· Revitalization of the Port of Rio
· High speed transportation from Rio to Sao Paulo
· Balneariu Camburiu Shopping Complex expansion
· Water sanitation
· Numerous stadiums and hotels
These projects provide ideal opportunities for U.S. companies in the construction, security technology, accommodation, transportation, and service sectors. Nevertheless, challenges to foreign investment still exist in the form of inflexible labor laws, local content requirements and a complex tax system. World Trade Centers, Chambers of Commerce, and commercial services can aid in navigating these complexities, as well assisting with research and networking connections.
The World Trade Center Arkansas’ October trade mission will include visits to the cities of Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. WTC Arkansas will provide one-on-one business matchmaking services and networking opportunities for the Arkansas delegation.
In addition, the delegation will have the opportunity of attending the 42nd World Trade Center Association General Assembly at which world trade center delegations from around the world meet, providing additional global resources, investment prospects and trade opportunities.
~submitted by Mary Otilia Rash, Marketing and Communications Intern
