BANGALORE, APRIL 2 (ONASA – OTS) – The World Trade Centers Association® (WTCA®) – the international trade organization that connects over 300 World Trade Centers® (WTC®) locations in nearly 100 countries – and World Trade Center Bengaluru have successfully organized the 54th annual WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF) in Bengaluru, India.
This five-day event held from March 3 to 6 brought together WTCA members, international business delegates and local Indian business delegates, leaders from the world of business, government, the scientific community and the international community who had the opportunity to hear speeches from the highest officials of the state of Karnataka and of key experts from all over the world, participate in discussions about current trends in the fields of AI, agrotechnology and real estate and learn about India’s economic development.
Close to 300 participants from 36 countries and territories and 105 WTC members gathered to gain insight into business opportunities in Bengaluru, Karnataka and across India, as well as to make new global business connections.
WTCA GBF 2024 was the first meeting in Bengaluru since the introduction of the new format which further reinforced the core WTCA mission, “Connecting Companies Globally”, and saw a record attendance of WTCA members at the annual gathering since 2017.
Within the framework of the central theme “Strengthening progress through innovation and cooperation”, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka D.K. Shivakumar and M.B. Patil, Minister of Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, spoke about India’s economic development, growth potential and business opportunities, especially in the state of Karnataka as the sixth largest state in India which plans to become a billion dollar economy by 2032 based on sustainable interest rate of 18 percent. D.K. In his welcome speech, Shivakumar pointed out that Bengaluru’s association with the Association of World Trade Centers symbolizes a lasting legacy of excellence and achievement and added that the GBF will bring together participants to work and think together and visit important places in Karnataka to gain insight into opportunities to strengthen their business.
Other prominent speakers included M.R. Jaishankar, Executive Chairman, Brigade Group, who in his keynote address along with John E. Drew, Chairman of the WTCA Board of Directors, welcomed the participants to Karnataka, known as “One State, Many Worlds” for this first-class annual gathering.
In partnership with the Bengaluru Chamber of Commerce (BCIC), the event offered on-site B2B networking services, with over 300 arranged B2B meetings to introduce delegates to business opportunities in Karnataka and across the international market.
“This year’s GBF successfully connected WTCA members around the world with local Indian companies, highlighting our commitment to establishing interconnected business networks worldwide. We chose Bengaluru to host the first GBF meeting in a new format, as we focused more on B2B networking and implementing a new initiative to strengthen business connections that we normally make during our annual meetings. BCIC as a partner provided quality local Indian business delegates with whom our participants connected”, said Dru.
“GBF highlighted our commitment to promoting international investment opportunities in India and initiated significant business relationships. We have seen first hand the strength of India as the world’s third largest purchasing power, and our members are now using the new connections they have made to find ways to foster prosperity and innovation between their regions and India. After this GBF meeting, we are sure that this is the right region for investment for companies and the growth of our membership in the context of the expansion of the Association.”
“We are honored to host a large number of distinguished leaders from around the world and showcase Bengaluru’s vast human potential, growing innovation sector and world-class hospitality,” said Vinit Verma, new member of the WTCA Board of Directors and Managing Director of the World Trade Center Bengaluru, Chennai and Brakes.
“India aspires to be a global manufacturing center that attracts numerous global companies to invest here and we look forward to cultivating new relationships and strengthening strategic partnerships with the participants of this year’s GBF gathering.”
European members within the WTCA have a key role in the global network, as confirmed by the recognition of WTC The Hague/Rotterdam at the GBF meeting for their efforts in the field of sustainable development.
By winning the 3rd biennial champion title for sustainability and support for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, European members are leaders in creating more environmentally friendly companies.
In addition, WTC Lisbon won the champion title as “Regional Member of the Year” for Europe, for successfully organizing a European regional meeting, representing WTCA in China for further networking and support in running WTCA as a prominent organization for real estate investment and business clubs.
This recognition highlights the importance of European members in achieving the goals and mission of the WTCA on a global level. European members are at the forefront of innovation, sustainability and cooperation within the WTCA network.
“GBF is the perfect opportunity and platform for existing and new European WTCA members to meet and connect with other members from around the world, exchange the latest information on hot topics in the sector, take advantage of networking opportunities with leaders in the development of the sector and discover new business opportunities in different industrial branches. And all in one place – within the unique global WTCA community! Our global mission is now more significant than ever, because future WTCA members who join us in the next decade can count on unique services that can help them enter world markets and develop their business at a record speed,” said Danica Milovanović, leader business development WTCA for Europe.
WTCA GBF 2024 ended with the official announcement of next year’s host. The 55th annual WTCA GBF will be held in Marseille, France from April 6-9, 2025, hosted by WTC Marseille.