The Middle East will be the focus of the 32nd Annual World Trade Week 2008, sponsored by Wichita State's Center for International Business Advancement and the World Trade Council of Wichita Inc.

The trade conference is titled "Doing Business with Arab States-Middle East."

It will be from 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, May 15, and starts with Mayor Carl Brewer's welcome, followed by Abdul Shaik, regional coordinator of the Middle East U.S. Department of Commerce address on "Doing Business in Middle East: An Overview & Opportunities" with special reference to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

Panels feature country briefings on trade opportunities by H.E. Ambassadors, Minister-Counselors [Trade].

Other panels throughout the day discuss business in several Middle Eastern countries, agriculture and food products trade of Kansas in the Middle East, and Wichita aircraft global operations.

Holly Vineyard, deputy assistant secretary for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, U.S. Department of Commerce, will be the keynote speaker during lunch. There is also an opportunity for various breakout sessions in the afternoon.

From 5:45-9:30 p.m., there will be a VIP reception and banquet program featuring the Governor's Proclamation, presented by Secretary of Commerce David Kerr, and keynote address by H.E. Ambassadors. Winners of the International Business Excellence Award and Scholarship/Internships will be recognized.

All the day's events will be held at the Olive Tree Banquet Hall, 2949 N. Rock Road.

For a full schedule of the day's events and information on how to register, go to http://wtc.wichita.edu/index.html or call (316) 978-3176.