World Trade Centres Association celebrates “A Half Century of Global Trade Connectivity”
View(s):The World Trade Centres Association (WTCA), of which World Trade Centre (WTC) Colombo is a member, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year as the owner of the iconic global “World Trade Centre” and “WTC” trademarks. Founded in 1969 by Guy Tozzoli who was responsible for building the original New York WTC, the non-profit organization has become the world’s trusted global brand, facilitating international business connections and trade. The WTCA kicked off its year-long anniversary campaign celebrating “A Half Century of Global Trade Connectivity” at its 50th General Assembly in Querétaro, Mexico, and will conclude the celebration at the GA in Taipei in March 2020.
“It is really quite special to have made it to 50 years,” stated WTCA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott Ferguson, in a media release. “Last year, we developed a plan with the vision to ‘become the world’s trusted global brand facilitating international business connections and trade,’ and the tagline, ‘connecting the business world’. Taken together with our unique network makeup, and the history of the last 50 years, our theme for the Anniversary is ‘A Half Century of Global Trade Connectivity’.”
The roots of the prestigious WTC brand began in 1939 when the World’s Fair in Queens, New York named its grounds “World Trade Centre.” It was born of the idea that doing business around the globe should be as easy as doing business down the street. Over the past 50 years, it has evolved to become a network of more than 325 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organisations in nearly 100 countries promoting global trade and investment.
WTC Colombo was established more than 20 years ago in Sri Lanka under the patronage of S.P. Tao, Chairman of Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC.— the owner, developer, and manager of the building. Since its inception, WTC Colombo has emerged as Sri Lanka’s most impressive commercial landmark, as well as the most sought-after business address in the country, boasting the largest business-to-business network under one roof.
Situated in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD) and surrounded by key public transport hubs, the 750,000-plus-square-foot building accommodates a prestigious tenant base with more than 200 local, international, and multinational brand names including the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka.