8th World Trade Day & Annual Members Meet
World Trade Center (WTC) Bhubaneswar successfully hosted the 8th edition of World Trade Day, alongside its Annual Members Meet 2025 in Bhubaneswar. Organized as part of the global World Trade Week initiative, the event brought together a wide spectrum of participants including senior government officials, international trade experts, industry leaders, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs.
This year’s event was themed “Eastern India’s Economic Engine: Odisha’s Global Trade Vision,” with Dubai Chambers of Commerce participating as the Country Connect Partner, focusing on strengthening trade relations between Odisha and Dubai.
The evening commenced with a welcome address by Capt. Somesh Batra, Chairman of WTC Bhubaneswar and Vice Chairman of WTC Mumbai. Capt. Batra highlighted the center’s continued efforts in promoting Odisha’s export ecosystem and supporting MSMEs. He emphasized WTC Bhubaneswar’s evolution into a center of excellence for global trade facilitation and business outreach.
Mr. Rajen Padhi, Honorary Convener of WTC Bhubaneswar International Trade Promotion Think Tank, followed with remarks underscoring the Center’s role in MSME engagement and export promotion.
Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman of WTC Mumbai and Director of WTC Bhubaneswar, elaborated on the initiatives of MVIRDC Mumbai and WTC Bhubaneswar in connecting Indian enterprises to international markets. He also shed light on the global impact and collaborative potential of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) network.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Mr. Abhijitsinh Jadeja, Chief Representative – India, Asia Region, Dubai Chambers, emphasized Dubai’s position as a global trade and logistics hub. He encouraged Odisha-based businesses to leverage Dubai as a gateway to international trade and reaffirmed the Dubai Chambers’ commitment to deeper commercial collaboration with Odisha.
Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, IFS, Consul General of India in Auckland, discussed growing trade linkages between Odisha and Auckland. He identified promising areas of cooperation such as education, agricultural exports, and skill development, while promoting the potential of Indian products in the New Zealand market.
Dr. JK Mohanty, Chairman & Managing Director, Swosti Group, spoke passionately about the immense tourism potential of Odisha. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector players, and community-based initiatives to unlock and enhance Odisha’s appeal as a world-class tourist destination. Dr. Mohanty called for sustained investment in infrastructure, marketing, and skill development to elevate the state’s profile in both domestic and international tourism circuits.
The Chief Guest, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, His Excellency Dr. Kambhampati Hari Babu, in his address, commended WTC Bhubaneswar’s commitment to promoting international trade awareness and urged local MSMEs to embrace innovation and strive for global competitiveness. He also underscored the untapped tourism potential of the state, noting that while over 5 lakh Indian tourists visited Vietnam last year, the inbound tourist traffic from Vietnam remains low. He invited Vietnamese nationals to explore Odisha’s rich Buddhist heritage, positioning the state as a cultural and spiritual destination on the global tourism map. Aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vocal for Local” initiative, the Governor also encouraged collective efforts to showcase and export Odisha’s unique local products, supporting inclusive economic growth.
As part of the celebrations, a dedicated exhibition of Odisha’s Handloom and Handicraft products was organized, featuring over 20 women entrepreneurs associated with WTC Bhubaneswar, highlighting the region’s rich artisanal legacy and the growing role of women in business and exports.
Sectoral Think Tank Conveners and Co-Conveners for the financial year 2025–2026 were announced, with each briefly outlining their focus areas for sector-specific trade development and outreach. A Business-to-Business (B2B) meeting was also convened, facilitating focused interactions between industry stakeholders, representatives from the Dubai Chambers, and officials from the MSME Department, Government of Odisha, aiming to foster new trade and investment partnerships.
A promotional video showcasing the initiatives and achievements of WTC Bhubaneswar was also screened during the event. The video effectively highlighted the Center’s efforts in export promotion, MSME development, global collaborations, and capacity-building activities. It was highly appreciated by attendees and served as a powerful visual testament to the Center’s impact and strategic vision.
Additionally, an MoU was signed between World Trade Center Bhubaneswar and SOA Community Radio to collaborate on community outreach, awareness programs, and knowledge dissemination initiatives aimed at promoting trade, entrepreneurship and local development.
The evening concluded with the presentation of Achievement Awards, recognizing leading exporters and MSMEs across diverse sectors for their outstanding contributions to trade, innovation, and sustainable business practices. The awards served as a token of appreciation for enterprises that have demonstrated excellence and set benchmarks in Odisha’s trade landscape.
The entire event was moderated and anchored by Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar, who ensured smooth flow of the proceedings and engaging interactions throughout the evening.
The 8th World Trade Day & Annual Members Meet 2025 reaffirmed WTC Bhubaneswar’s pivotal role in furthering Odisha’s global trade vision and strengthening the state’s position as a rising economic powerhouse in Eastern India.
The event was held on Saturday, 2nd August 2025 at Hotel Swosti Premium, Bhubaneswar.