Chairman's Corner
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
May exporting be your key to a pot of gold and enable your company to succeed in hiring more people! To that end, we have a new webinar on Doing Business in Mexico, a high-growth market for SMEs—but only for exporters who know how to navigate it.
Be sure to check out the webinars and trade shows offered through USCS and the Arkansas World Trade Center, as well as the National Association of DECs Annual Conference in Nashville, TN on May 12-13.
As you plan for the year ahead, please also consider applying for the Governor’s Award this year—it’s a great opportunity for recognition. Nominations for this prestigious award will begin in April. The applications will be available in June and due by August 1, for our Annual Luncheon on September 17. Save the date!
We hope to connect with you soon!
Warm regards,
Jonathan Bricker
Chair, Arkansas District Export Council
Jonathan.Bricker@regions.com
| | SOUTH OF THE BORDER OPPORTUNITIES | | |
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2:00-3:00PM CST
Mexico is a high-growth market for SMEs—but only for exporters who know how to navigate it!
This fast-paced webinar gives you the essentials to enter and succeed in Mexico, covering market entry options, legal and tax basics, logistics, payments, and the most common exporter mistakes.
Join Ja'Nel Edens, Foreign Commercial Service Officer at CS Mexico, to gain practical insights to help you move faster, avoid pitfalls, and trade with confidence in Mexico!
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GOVERNOR'S AWARD
FOR EXCELLENCE IN GLOBAL TRADE
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MAKING THE CUT:
How the Steco Corporation
Sharpened Its Digital Strategy
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Based in Little Rock, Arkansas and led by former ARDEC Vice Chair Ken Gaines, the Steco Corporation is a U.S. chemical manufacturer best known for its Tap Magic line of cutting fluids. Its high-performance lubricants and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) products are widely used in machining, metalworking, and industrial applications across the globe. After receiving the 2024 Governor's Award for Excellence in Global Trade, earning the prize of the Website Globalization Review (WGR) through the U.S. Commercial Service (CS), the company saw an opportunity to enhance its own global digital presence. Recognizing the potential, Ken reached out to the CS Little Rock office, eager to explore how the WGR could help them expand internationally.
With support from the U.S. Commercial Service’s CS Little Rock, Rural Export Center, and eCommerce Solutions Center, the Steco Corporation received a comprehensive WGR, which provided a detailed roadmap for enhancing their digital strategy, offering actionable recommendations for both technical improvements and increased international engagement.
Key recommendations from the WGR included impactful Search Engine Optimization (SEO) improvements, such as optimized meta titles and descriptions, the addition of a sitemap and social media meta tags, and a more user-friendly design. These changes boosted the site’s search visibility and significantly improved its SEO score.
READ MORE HERE
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Colton Rook
Business Development
V. Alexander & Co., Inc
Tel # 901-795-7761 ext 1296
crook@valexander.com
Fax # 901-363-1054
www.valexander.com | Excellence, one transaction at a time.
What we know about IEEPA Refunds
V. Alexander & Co., Inc. has compiled some knowns, unknowns, and preparatory steps for your consideration when navigating the recent SCOTUS ruling on IEEPA and the upcoming wave of refunds.
Known:
- The administration has stated before the courts it will refund the money collected on IEEPA.
- IEEPA was found to be an inappropriate statute for the imposition of tariffs.
- The Court of International Trade (CIT) will issue guidance on how refunds are properly applied for.
- IEEPA was active through February 23, 2026, and legally collected up to that date.
Unknown:
- What the mechanism will be for refunds.
Whether it is Post Summary Corrections, Protests, automatic reliquidation, or some other court / US CBP administrative request - the trade community eagerly waits formal guidance.
- How quickly will the CIT issue its decision.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated it could be weeks or months before the CIT issues guidance on the refund process.
How to Prepare:
- Make sure ACE ACH Refunds are enabled for your ACE account.
US CBP has transitioned to electronic refunds. V. Alexander can help walk you through the process of getting set-up so you do not miss out on the refunds when they are issued.
- Run ES-001, ES-002, & ES-003 reports in ACE to get a sense of your IEEPA refund universe.
These reports from ACE give you a picture into your import activity touched by IEEPA.
Section 122
V. Alexander & Co., Inc. continues to monitor the developing Section 122 tariff announcement and has compiled the below information relevant to each.
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UPDATE: US CBP issued CSMS # 67844987 detailing the implementation instructions for Section 122 global 10% tariffs.
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President Trump issued a Proclamation for the implementation of Section 122 Tariffs on February 20, 2026.
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Specific products are excluded from Section 122 as seen in paragraph 2 of Annex I and in Annex II.
Next Steps
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How does Section 122 interact with any trade agreements that were reached during the IEEPA period? This is not implicitly clear between the termination of IEEPA and implementation of Section 122.
We will continue to monitor this situation and issue updates as needed.
| | If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you! | | |
Richard Duda, Director
U.S. Commercial Service – Little Rock Export Assistance Center
U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration
+1 501-324-5795 (direct)
+1 501-324-5794 (office)
+1 501-251-7472 (mobile)
Richard.Duda@trade.gov
700 W. Capitol Avenue, Room 4413, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
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WEBINAR OPPORTUNITY: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
10:00 AM, Los Angeles, CA
1:00 PM, Washington, DC
2:00 PM, Brasilia
Fee: $25
Brazil MRO Opportunities Update
Join us on March 10 for a market update on Brazil’s rapidly growing MRO sector. Brazil ranks among the world’s top five aircraft maintenance markets, with roughly 700 certified maintenance shops and more than 150 serving as international hubs. With annual industry revenues of about US $2.5 billion and nearly half of Latin America’s commercial aircraft fleet based there, this is an ideal moment to deepen your understanding of opportunities in Brazil.
During the webinar, participants will hear directly from some of the most dynamic companies in Brazil's commercial aviation industry including Embraer, Azul Brazilian Airlines, Lider Aviação.The webinar will also feature a country briefing from the U.S. Embassy in Brazil and more information on how to leverage the U.S. Commercial Service's resources to grow your exports.
Why Brazil? Key Industry Highlights
Did you know that Brazil has:
- The second-largest helicopter fleet in the world
- The second-largest General Aviation fleet in the world (Business Aviation, Agricultural Aviation, Helicopters, and Light General Aviation aircraft)
- The second-largest agricultural aircraft fleet
- The third-largest business aviation fleet
- The second-largest airport network
Brazilian Aircraft Maintenance Market (2025 Revenue Estimates)
- Airlines: US$ 800 million
- Business Aviation: US$ 600 million
- Air Taxi Operators: US$ 300 million
- Helicopters: US$ 400 million
- Agricultural Aviation: US$ 100 million
- General Aviation: US$ 300 million
Companies Invited to Speak:
- Embraer
- Azul Brazilian Airlines
- Lider Aviação
Questions? Please contact:
Renato Sabaine
U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Embassy - São Paulo
Elmer (EJ) Richardson
U.S. Commercial Service
Aerospace & Defense Team
| | Arkansas World Trade Center | | |
Selecting the Right Trade Show Requires Market and Regulatory Readiness
By Denise Thomas, CEO, World Trade Center Arkansas.
Choosing to participate in a trade show is not a marketing decision. It is a market entry decision.
Before committing financial, human, and reputational resources, companies must evaluate two dimensions in parallel: trade show relevance and market readiness.
The most effective companies begin by asking fundamental questions: Who actually attends this event? Are buyers and decision-makers present, or primarily other exhibitors? Which geographies and markets are represented? Is the show transactional, exploratory, or brand-driven? Does the organizer provide credible post-event metrics?
READ MORE HERE
Explore upcoming events and programs aimed at fostering bilateral trade and economic development in Arkansas. From trade missions and networking opportunities to industry workshops and educational seminars, our events connect Arkansas businesses with global markets, facilitating meaningful partnerships and growth. Join us to engage with trade experts, gain valuable insights, and unlock new opportunities for international collaboration and success.
Contact Chief of Staff Trish Watkins with all your questions!
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Date: 3/10/2026
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM (CDT)
Status: Open
Registration Deadline: 3/10/2026 5:00 PM (CDT)
Fee: No Fee
Location: Arvest Bank, 17421 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock AR 72223-6129
Description:
Have ideas to move your business forward but not sure how to pay for them?
Find out about ways to fund equipment purchases, technology upgrades, expansion plans, and more! Join us in person or online for an overview of different financing that can help grow your business.
In this hybrid workshop, learn about the various types of credit available to small businesses, including lines of credit, credit cards, and term loans, as well as financing options backed by the Small Business Administration.
Presented in cooperation with Arvest Bank. Continental breakfast provided for in-person attendees with RSVP, courtesy of Arvest.
Speakers:
- Mike Ramirez, Arvest Business Banker
- Johnathan Stevens, Arvest Business Banking Manager
- Rita Mitchell, ASBTDC Business Consultant
- Adriene Brown, Small Business Administration Arkansas District Director
| | Arkansas District Office of the U.S. SBA | |
Online event
Wednesday, Mar 4 from 1 pm to 2 pm CST
Did you know: The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program helps small businesses in both urban and rural areas get priority access to federal contracting opportunities!
The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program's goal is to encourage job creation and capital investment in small businesses in economically challenged areas. With a goal of providing at least three percent (3%) of federal contract funds to HUBZone-certified companies each year, the HUBZone program promotes small business growth in previously neglected business zones. It also provides preference to businesses that are in full and open competition. The Small Business Administration has made it easier for qualified small firms to join the HUBZone program.
Of course, there are requirements to join this program. Let the SBA Arkansas District Office explain the program and how your business can receive assistance with federal contracting at this virtual training workshop!
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF DISTRICT EXPORT COUNCILS
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Join the Nation’s Premier Export Event
The National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC) invites you to the 2026 Annual Export Conference in the vibrant Music City! This premier national event brings together U.S. and international trade leaders, exporters, and government officials for two days of insights, collaboration, and innovation in global trade.View the full agenda here!
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Arkansas exports $6.9billion in goods around the world and supports 34,470 jobs in the state and nation! Our top three exports are transportation equipment, food and kindred products and chemicals, primarily to the nations of Canada, Mexico and France.
For more information, see our State Factsheet.
The mission of the Arkansas District Export Council is
to promote and support international trade activities and awareness throughout the State of Arkansas.
Please feel free to contact us.
If we don't know the answer, we'll find someone who does!
Jonathan Bricker, Chairman
Heidi Whitman, Administrative Coordinator
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