shopping mall . We also have two luxury hotels and a convention centre .

“ Major shows taking place at our facilities include the annual home textile show , boat show , motorbike show , and furniture show .

“ We have also made a significant investment for the renovation of our exhibition halls over the past year , although , unfortunately , the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected our business . However , we are taking the necessary precautions and are more hopeful for this year ’ s calendar of events .”

In Canada , The World Trade Centre Winnipeg was founded in 2012 , and president and CEO Mariette Mulaire , says it marked an important opportunity for Manitoba companies to access new trade and export opportunities , and to showcase the economic advantages of the province to the world .

“ A major achievement in the early years was organising the first-ever global business-to-business forum in Manitoba ’ s history .” The WTC has since hosted multiple editions .

The 2016 Centrallia event attracted over 1,000 attendees from 30 countries , and featured business delegations led by 18 WTCs from around the world .

“ Patrons of the conference could walk around like they would at a tradeshow ,” Mulaire remembers . “ They were able to

see and experience what different regions could offer to clients in terms of trade , investment opportunities , and creating business connections . It was a visual and impactful illustration of the power and connectedness of the WTCA .

Hosted in the newly expanded RBC Convention Centre in downtown Winnipeg , Centrallia was an historical event for WTC Winnipeg , the venue and the province of Manitoba .

WTC Winnipeg ’ s team of trade advisors , extensive market research , webinars and training courses , and its Trade Accelerator Program ( TAP ) today can connect business owners and industry experts to create a solid export plan that can be directly applied to the current marketplace .

In Malaysia , Dato ’ Sri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim , executive director , WTC Kuala Lumpur , explains that his organisation ’ s history goes back to 1985 .

“ WTCKL has hosted some of the biggest international conferences and exhibitions , including the PATA General Conference in 1986 , CHOGM Head of State Meeting ( 1989 ) and the NAM General Conference in 2003 , and the International Book Festival ,” he explains . “ Locally , we held the MATTA Fair and the Malaysian Technology Expo . These partners are loyal customers of ours and have made

WTCKL their venue of choice in holding many events .”

WTCKL is one of 90 WTCs in the Asia-Pacific region and Dr Ibrahim says it is more important now than ever , during the pandemic , that there is a continuity in staying connected and a diversification of the trading services that the centres provide .

WTCKL , like WTCs around the world , recently received a Global Helpdesk tool , an online platform that allows users to compare demand for products across markets , explore tariffs and other market access conditions , access details about buyers and navigate domestic export processes .

WTCKL has been upgrading its own technology , too , and is working on a hybrid studio for virtual conferences and shows , Dr Ibrahim notes : “ In April 2021 , we hosted the International Business Review ASEAN Awards here in one of our halls . Viewers were able to livestream the ceremony . Other events include the E-Sports PUBG Tournament that was held in 2019 where gamers came from across the Asia-Pacific .”

WTCKL has plans also to venture more into trading and supplying services , providing parking management , and expanding food and beverage franchises .

Dr Ibrahim also notes the WTCA has helped its Malaysian franchisee in pushing for free trade zones , which include the recent launch of the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone Malaysia ( M-WEZ ).

“ We treat the WTCA like family ,” Dr Ibrahim concludes , “ and in every family , the bonds and ties created will never be broken . Here ’ s to having more WTCs in the future !”

There may be over 50 years of history , but the pandemic has shown that , more than ever , a priority for the WTCA , as for many , is to make its business relevant to the new generation and restate the case to keep this premium brand shining .

BRAND HISTORY

2001 TRADE CONTINUES POST 9 / 11

The WTCA reaffirms

its message of

peace and

prosperity through

trade and

investment .

2013 CHANGE OF AN ERA

New executive

leadership is

appointed for the

WTCA . Shortly

thereafter , Guy

Tozzoli , former

president of the

World Trade Centers

Association , dies at

age 90

2014 DIGITAL AGE

Under new

leadership , the

WTCA re-launches

its membership

website , including

digital tools that

help WTC Members

connect and

collaborate for

an even stronger

network .