World Trade Center Binh Duong New City, Vietnam hosted the Asia Pacific Regional Meeting 2023 of World Trade Centers Association Headquarters as the first in-person APRM after three years post Covid-19 pandemic. The event was attended by almost 450+ local Vietnamese business bodies, 23 representatives from 24 WTCs in the APAC region. The program was also attended by many other WTCs in the region through a virtual platform.

The theme for the APRM 2023 was “Transforming WTC Operations through Digital Age”. The program witnessed panel discussions on crucial topics relevant to the theme with keynote speakers addressing on the respective subject matter.

The first day of the program kick-started with registration for the delegates, visit to the BIFA Wood Exhibition followed by welcome reception at Becamex Hotel New City. Mr. Vo Van Minh, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Binh Duong, delivered opening remarks. It was followed by welcome remarks from Mr. Ngoc Thuan Pham, General Manager of Becamex IDC Corporation (the parent company of WTC BDNC), and Ms. Crystal Edn, WTCA Executive Director of Member Services. Ms. Dinh Thai Linh Huynh, CEO of WTC BDNC, showcased WTC BDNC’s tremendous development in both facility and services since its inception in 2019.

The second day of the event witnessed the opening ceremony of APRM 2023 followed by plenary discussion where the representatives from WTC Binh Duong New City and Becamex IDC Corporation deliberated on the business opportunities in Binh Duong, doing business in Vietnam and the contributions as well as specialisations of the center. Ms. Crystal Edn, Executive Director-Member Services, WTCA highlighted the updates from WTCA headquarter, upcoming initiatives and digital transformation activities to be undertaken by the headquarters.

“It was an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to witness WTC BDNC grow, thrive and deliver a successful program like this as one of our youngest members in the global WTCA family. After four years of development, WTC BDNC has solidly established itself as an integral part in Binh Duong’s service ecosystem and development as a leading smart city. We fully believe WTC BDNC will further boost its role and leverage the global WTCA network to contribute to Binh Duong’s development in international trade, investment, technology and innovation. We are also extremely happy to see the results from our collaboration with Becamex IDC, the leading industrial park infrastructure provider and operator in Vietnam and the APAC region. Together, we have made significant progress in our efforts to expand our footprint to deliver benefits to a broader business community within the region,” said Mr. Scott Wang, WTCA Vice President, Asia Pacific in his address.

Ms. Xiang Li, Business Development Manager, Asia Pacific Regional Office, World Trade Centers Association and Ms. Adele Xhang, Program Manager, Asia Pacific Regional Office, World Trade Centers Association accentuated the introduction and initiatives of APAC Regional Advisory Council, as well the services and programs by APRO.

Panel discussions on Exhibition Industry, Real Estate and Trade Services were held. Mr Sharad Upasani, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai participated as a panellist in the panel discussion on Best Practices for Trade Services Session and deliberated on the trade education as well as trade development services facilitated by WTC Mumbai and its three subsidiaries WTC Bhubaneswar, WTC Jaipur and WTC Goa.

Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, WTC Bhubaneswar represented WTC Mumbai and WTC Bhubaneswar as a panellist in the panel discussion on the Best Practices for Exhibition. She highlighted the We Trade Platform and highlighted the success story of Connect India Program hosted online by WTC Mumbai and its role as a virtual exhibition platform in the International Trade Scenario. She also highlighted the activities of WTC Bhubaneswar as a newly accredited member being a young WTC. 

All the delegates from WTC across APAC visited the industrial area by BECAMEX IDC Corporation followed by a visit to WTC Binh Duong New City Facility on the third day of the event.  The event was commemorated by a Gala Dinner which witnessed various cultural programs and signing of Memorandum of Understanding between WTC Mumbai and WTC Binh Duong New City. A reciprocity collaboration was also signed by WTC Mumbai and WTC Shenyang.

WTC Bhubaneswar team Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, WTC Bhubaneswar and Ms T Sweta, Trade Promotion Officer, WTC Bhubaneswar also paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Madan Mohan Sethi, IFS, Consul General of India to Vietnam and representatives from VCCI (Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industries) in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss the trade prospects between India and Vietnam.