Bradley University says a new trade agreement signed by a business center on campus and a similar organization in Winnipeg, Canada, will open up new areas for cooperation between industries in the two areas.

The deal between the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley and the World Trade Centre Winnipeg is intended to open up export opportunities for businesses in both areas and ease collaboration between universities and people involved in startups.

The deal is part of a U.S. State Department initiative to develop closer ties between small businesses in the Americas.

Jim Foley is director at the International Trade Center at Bradley. He said in a news release Tuesday that the deal also could create student and faculty exchanges for Bradley and links for entrepreneurs in the cities.