Q&A WITH WTCA's NEWEST MEMBERS - September 2025

The WTCA Editorial Team sat down with a few of WTCA’s newest Members to learn more about their plans for their WTC licenses and how they envision bringing new opportunities to the global WTCA network.

Our interviewees:

• Ms. Melanie Rambally, CFO, WTC Durban (joined June 2025) 
• Mr. Edin Sefo, CEO, WTC Sarajevo (joined October 2024) 

What is your vision for your WTC business and why did you decide to obtain a WTC license? 

Ms. Rambally (WTC Durban):Our vision for WTC Durban is to become Africa’s most dynamic hub for international trade, investment and collaboration. Durban has proud track-record of hosting world-class events through the Durban International Convention Centre, but securing the WTC license takes our ambitions a step further. We see the WTC brand as a gateway — one that positions Durban not only as a meeting point for the world, but as a launchpad for African businesses into global markets and for international investors into Africa. The WTC brand’s credibility, reach and network perfectly align with our mission to unlock Durban’s full potential as a leading trade and investment destination.

Mr. Sefo (WTC Sarajevo): Our vision is to position WTC Sarajevo as a platform for Bosnia & Herzegovina’s transition toward a knowledge-driven economy, fully anchored in ESG principles. We see the WTC license as a bridge between local potential and global opportunity. 

Three priorities guide this vision: 

• Sustainable Development – Build a modern, mixed-use complex aligned with ESG standards, featuring green infrastructure and public spaces that enhance urban life. 
• Trade & Connectivity – Establish Sarajevo as the first WTC business in the region, giving SMEs and entrepreneurs direct access to international markets and partnerships. 
• Innovation & Investment – Host an annual Investment & Tech Forum and create a Business Club that attracts investors, nurtures startups and accelerates job creation. 

What are you looking forward to most about joining this global network?

Ms. Rambally (WTC Durban):What excites me most is the opportunity to showcase Durban’s unique strengths to the world — our world-class convention center, our strategic location with the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa and our rich cultural diversity. Joining WTCA means we can directly connect Durban’s industries — from manufacturing and agribusiness to tourism and creative sectors — with global partners who are actively seeking opportunities in Africa. This isn’t just about making connections, it’s about creating a vibrant two-way flow of trade, ideas and investment that will put Durban firmly on the global business map.

Mr. Sefo (WTC Sarajevo): Joining WTCA allows us to elevate Sarajevo from a real estate project into a regional trade and innovation hub, linking the Western Balkans with the global economy. 

Our top three priorities are: 

• Global Market Access – Use the WTCA platform to connect Bosnian companies with export opportunities, cross-border ventures and global trade missions. 
• Credibility & Branding – Leverage the WTC brand to attract foreign investors, high-value tenants and world-class business events. 
• Knowledge & Ecosystem Building – Adopt best practices from other WTC businesses and co-host global summits to strengthen Sarajevo’s business ecosystem. 

How will our global WTCA community benefit from your local business network?

Ms. Rambally (WTC Durban):The WTC brand will help attract high-value trade events, investment forums and business matchmaking opportunities to Durban, directly translating into positive economic impact and job creation for our community. It will also create a platform for local SMEs to connect with global markets, giving them opportunities they would otherwise not access. In addition, the credibility of the WTC brand will strengthen investor confidence, encouraging long-term projects that benefit the people of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal as a whole. This aligns perfectly with our city’s economic development strategies, and as a driver of inclusive growth, ensuring that women, youth and small businesses are part of Durban’s global trade story. 

Mr. Sefo (WTC Sarajevo): The WTC brand is a catalyst for local prosperity, creating opportunities that extend far beyond the complex itself. 

Key benefits will come through three pillars: 

• Jobs & Skills – Generate high-quality employment and develop the next generation of talent through training, trade services and innovation programs. 
• Urban & ESG Impact – Revitalize Sarajevo’s urban fabric with sustainable architecture, green spaces and infrastructure that raises quality of life. 
• Global Visibility & Youth Retention – Bring international exposure and cultural exchange, while creating career prospects that encourage young people to stay and grow in Bosnia & Herzegovina. 

Interested in connecting with one of our interviewees? Contact WTCA at info@wtca.org for assistance.