The 55th World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Global Business Forum was successfully held in the historic and vibrant city of Marseille, France, hosted by World Trade Centers Association and World Trade Center (WTC) Marseille Provence. The prestigious international event brought together members from the global network of WTCs, policymakers, business leaders, and trade experts from across continents.

Representing World Trade Center Bhubaneswar, Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, and Ms. T Sweta, Trade Promotion Officer, actively participated in the forum, reinforcing the centre’s growing global engagement and commitment to promoting trade, investment, and economic collaboration.

The forum commenced with a vibrant welcome reception at the iconic Fort Ganteaume, offering a scenic backdrop and an ideal atmosphere for networking and cultural exchange. Delegates from around the world were warmly greeted, setting the tone for the days ahead.

The second day began with a high-level Opening Ceremony featuring welcome addresses by Mr. John E. Drew, WTCA Chair (WTC Boston, WTC Dublin, and WTC Washington, D.C.), Mr. Benoit Vincent, WTC Marseille Provence, Mr. Pierre Veyres, Aix Marseille Provence International Chamber of Commerce.

This was followed by a series of thought-provoking and interactive sessions, covering major themes around trade, investment, innovation, and global collaboration.

The forum's second day featured a rich line-up of mainstage sessions that explored diverse aspects of global trade, investment, innovation, and economic growth.

Following the opening ceremony, the day kicked off with an engaging session on titled "Gateway to the Mediterranean & Shifting Global Trade Dynamics: Strategies for Success in an Evolving Marketplace". Esteemed speakers such as Ms. Amal Louis from the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille – Port de Marseille Fos, Mr. Scott Center, WTCA Board Member and representative of WTC Savannah, Mr. Carles Anglada from WTC Barcelona, and Ms. Yang Haobo from CCPIT Shenzhen shared their perspectives on leveraging maritime infrastructure and adapting to changing global trade dynamics.

Following this, the spotlight turned to real estate as a catalyst for global commerce in the session titled "Real Estate Investment in Global Trade Hubs". The session was formally opened by Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman of WTC Mumbai. Panelists including Ms. Lia Rochat from Archismart Energy, Mr. Diego Cortese from Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), Mr. Pierre Edouard Boudot from CBRE France, and Mr. Ed Allison-Wright of Fairhomes Group, WTC Gibraltar and WTCA Board Member, discussed evolving real estate trends and their pivotal role in shaping international trade infrastructure.

Another engaging session, "Innovative and Impactful: Disrupting Industries and Driving Change," brought together leading voices in innovation. Speakers such as Mr. Philippe Veran from Biotech Dental Group and Upperside Group, Mr. Remy Swaab, Vice Chair-Treasurer of WTCA and representative of WTC Panama, Mr. Dominique Clarac from Deep2drive, and Ms. Carla Coyle from C2 Custom Furnishings Inc. shared transformative ideas and case studies highlighting disruption across various industries.

The theme of innovation continued with the session "Innovation in Action: Free Trade Zones as Engines of Growth." This session featured insights from Ms. Pamela D. Pascual, WTCA Board Member and representative of WTC Metro Manila, Mr. Ignacio Del from WTC Montevideo, Mr. Martín Ibarra from the World Free Zones Organization, Mr. Panayotis Liolios of Africalink, and Mr. Vincent Abeille from ClassM. The panel discussed how free trade zones can serve as catalysts for economic development, job creation, and global investment.

The final session of the day, "Crossroads of Connection: Inspiring Journeys from Local to Global," featured inspiring narratives from Mr. Edward Grunwald of Revolugo and Mr. Olivier Rousseau of FlyCup. Both speakers emphasized the importance of connectivity, innovation, and community in scaling local businesses to the global stage.

The day concluded with the highly anticipated WTCA General Assembly. The session began with the Chairman’s Remarks delivered by John E. Drew, followed by presentations from the WTCA Executive Team outlining strategic goals and priorities for 2025. The assembly also showcased the WTCA Accreditation program, celebrating centers of excellence within the network. Delegates came together for a group photo, symbolizing unity and collaboration across borders, before dispersing to attend the WTCA Regional Dinners, which fostered closer regional engagement and camaraderie.

The third and final day of the 55th WTCA Global Business Forum was rich with dynamic sessions that delved into pressing global business themes and region-specific opportunities. The day began with strategic insights into navigating trade and investment trends for 2025, where experts outlined evolving market dynamics, followed by a compelling session on mentorship as a key to growth and success, emphasizing leadership development and knowledge transfer across generations.

A special focus was placed on the vital role of logistics and geopolitical shifts in global trade through the session on International Sea Freight and Geopolitics, where speakers explored how evolving political landscapes and maritime strategies impact international commerce.

Further strengthening the agenda, the Real Estate Summit offered critical discussions on infrastructure challenges and opportunities for global investors and businesses. In a regionally tailored session titled “Welcome to Eastern France, Cross-Border Region!”, Ms. Patricia Moinard-Drouvot from WTC Metz-Saarbrücken highlighted the strategic advantage of Eastern France’s transnational positioning for trade and enterprise expansion.

In another inspiring session, Ms. Salima Chelabi of Provence Promotion and Mr. Charles-Henri Marque of SME Apples Composites introduced the “Go Between” Program, which is designed to support business takeover opportunities, especially for entrepreneurs seeking transitions or entry into established markets.

Ms. Anne Desaix from Plasseraud IP delivered a crucial talk on Intellectual Property: Patents and Trademarks Protection in Foreign Markets, providing actionable insights on safeguarding innovation and brand assets internationally.

Global opportunities were spotlighted in sessions such as “Investing in Pennsylvania: Seizing Opportunities at the 2026 WTCA Global Business Forum”, preparing stakeholders for the upcoming edition in the United States, and “Nantes: A Leading Economic Hub in Western France”, where Ms. Martine Secher from WTC Nantes Atlantique and Mr. Yann Goyat, Vice President of WTC and International Ouest Club, discussed how initiatives like the “International Week” event serve as tools for visibility and business acceleration.

The discussion then shifted west to Brest, with Ms. Lucie Vallier from WTC Brest presenting on the attractiveness of Brest as an emerging economic locomotive in Western Brittany. In a practical and solutions-driven session titled “Finding Real Estate Solutions for Foreign Businesses in Provence,” participants explored actionable pathways for international firms to establish and expand in the region.

North American perspectives were brought to the table through the session on “The Advantages of Doing Business in the Canadian Market,” with inputs from Ms. Natalie Courcelles Beaudry and Mr. Paul Gill of WTC Winnipeg and Economic Development Winnipeg, respectively. They offered insights into Canada’s economic landscape, investment incentives, and ease of market access.

As cybersecurity continues to be a crucial area in international affairs, Mr. Maxime Vermeulen from Hello Lille led a session on “Cybersecurity in the Context of an International Forum Held in Lille,” discussing best practices and the importance of digital security in global engagements.

The day also included a vibrant WTCA Power Pitch session where businesses and trade centers presented compelling ideas and partnerships, followed by a presentation on Financing and Public Aid for Businesses in Provence, highlighting tools and incentives available to foreign and domestic investors.

A unique highlight of the day was the session on High-End Gastronomy & Diplomacy, which explored the strategic collaboration between Ferrandi Paris – Rennes Campus and World Trade Center Rennes Bretagne, presented by Mr. Nicholas Beaty. The session illustrated how culinary excellence can be leveraged as a form of soft diplomacy and brand identity in global business contexts.

The day concluded with a final round of Business-to-Business (B2B) Meetings, where delegates held direct discussions aimed at forging cross-border collaborations, partnerships, and trade opportunities.

The participation of WTC Bhubaneswar at this global forum marks an important step in strengthening its international presence and forging valuable connections with fellow WTCs and global business leaders. The event provided meaningful insights into global trade trends, investment prospects, and innovative business models, all of which will contribute to future initiatives and collaborations led by WTC Bhubaneswar.

The event was hosted by WTC Marseille Provence from 6^th – 9^th April 2025.