Applications sought for state award in global trade

The Arkansas District Export Council is accepting applications for the 2018 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade to recognize the exporting excellence and successes among Arkansas small, medium and large enterprises. Applications are being accepted until April 27 and can be downloaded at arkansasexport.com.

The award ceremony will take place at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. The date and keynote speaker have not yet been announced, though Gov. Asa Hutchinson will be in attendance.

“Trade is vitally important for Arkansas,” Hutchinson said. “Increasing exports of Arkansas-made and Arkansas-grown products results in two excellent outcomes. It produces extra capital for companies to invest in their facilities and creates new employment opportunities for Arkansans.”

The council is looking to award companies whose exporting story includes developing innovative approaches to international business, consistently growing market share and expanding its global presence.

“We look forward to recognizing a new group of local companies and celebrating their success and contribution to the Arkansas economy,” said ArDEC chair Lenka Horakova. “In addition to applying for the awards we invite companies to take advantage of the opportunity to sponsor this event which is highly anticipated throughout the state’s business and trade community.”

In addition to self-nomination, companies may nominate Arkansas-based manufacturing or agriculture companies actively selling in international markets. The winners of the award will be presented with a trophy during the awards luncheon and profiled throughout the year as the winner of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade.

The luncheon also presents an opportunity for Arkansas business leaders to exchange ideas and solutions in international business and trade.

Applications for the award can be found at www.arkansasexport.com/governor-s-awards-for-exporting.