Episode 38: In this episode of the Global Trade Adventure podcast, Omar Ayyash, Lee Lingo, and Jim Ray discuss the growing importance of Vietnam as a strategic trade partner for Kentucky businesses. Lee shares insights from multiple trips to Vietnam. He highlights the country's rapid economic growth, expanding manufacturing base, and increasing opportunities. Particularly promising sectors include agriculture, bourbon, technology, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. They explore how World Trade Center Kentucky trade missions help businesses accelerate relationship-building and gain direct access to key decision-makers in international markets. The group also emphasizes the value of face-to-face interactions, trusted networks, and cultural understanding when developing global business opportunities.

Listeners will learn about the upcoming World Trade Center Global Business Summit in Vietnam and the opportunities it will create for Kentucky companies seeking international growth. The discussion reinforces Kentucky's strength as a global manufacturing and logistics hub while showcasing the role international trade plays in the state's economic success. Consider this an invitation for businesses to explore new markets and to leverage the World Trade Center's network of over 330 Centers.

Thank you for listening to today's episode. We hope you enjoyed the conversation. You can find more information on our website at wtcky.org. Be sure to register for the upcoming events. Until next time, from all of us at the World Trade Center Kentucky, and our This Global Trade Adventure podcast, remember, if it involves global business at the World Trade Center Kentucky, we grow trade.

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 08/25-26/26 – World Trade Day 2026 Global Business Summit

· 09/29/26 – 10/01/26 – International Trade Certification

· 12/05/26 – 12/11/26 – Dubai Trade Mission 2026

· 04/04/27 – 04/07/26 – Vietnam Trade Mission 2027

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 08/10/26. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.