Recap: WTCA Francophone Roundtable - 2025 WTCA GBF

Mar 17, 2025

A Conversation on Business, Language and Opportunity

On Thursday, March 13, WTC Marseille Provence, in collaboration with WTCA, hosted a dynamic roundtable discussion en français (in French) with journalists from French-speaking markets across Algeria, Canada, France and Madagascar. This gathering provided the opportunity for Bertrand Gervais, General Manager of WTC Poitiers Futuroscope, to present the WTCA Francophone Initiative, highlighting its crucial role in connecting and supporting French-speaking WTCA members, fostering business opportunities and collaborations within the Francophone world.

With the 2025 WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF) set to take place April 6-9 in Marseille, France, a key Francophone region, the discussion included how language can eliminate barriers for companies seeking to expand into new markets and the importance of participating in such Forums. Journalists from these French-speaking regions engaged in an enriching and insightful conversation, making this virtual media roundtable both relevant and energizing.

WTCA Headquarters team members introduced WTCA’s mission and mandate, while Ahmed Tibaoui, CEO and General Manager of WTC Algiers, MEA Regional Advisory Council Chair and WTCA Board Member, emphasized the importance of regional perspectives within the global association. He highlighted how WTCA’s ability to stay attuned to local/regional challenges strengthens its role in supporting businesses worldwide. Meanwhile, Benoit Vincent and Yaël Savignac Rauzada from WTC Marseille Provence provided an exclusive preview of what participants can expect at the upcoming GBF 2025, as well as an advanced look at the official 2025 WTCA GBF event launch press release.

A particularly compelling intervention came from Maxime Chambon, President of B2C TRANS and FUTUREXPORT, a business member of WTC Poitiers Futuroscope, who shared why this year's GBF is more important than ever amidst global uncertainties surrounding trade and tariffs. His testimonial encapsulated WTCA’s mission “Connecting Businesses, Globally.” as he expressed confidence in the event’s B2B platform, which he finds highly efficient and valuable. Drawing a parallel to surfing, he remarked that "like a surfer choosing the right wave, pragmatic business leaders assess the best opportunities and the 2025 WTCA GBF is certainly one of them."

Bertrand Gervais , Director-General, World Trade Center (WTC) - Poitiers Futuroscope , and Director of CCI Vienne :

"The WTCA's Francophone initiative is much more than a network: it is a powerful lever to connect Francophone companies and create international business opportunities. The Global Business Forum in Marseille perfectly embodies this mission by offering companies a strategic platform to exchange and build business partnerships."

Ahmed Tibaoui , Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, World Trade Center Algiers & Chair of the WTCA MEA Regional Advisory Board:

"Understanding regional challenges and responding effectively is what makes WTCA strong and enables companies to thrive in an ever-changing world. The Global Business Forum in Marseille represents a unique opportunity to strengthen this dynamic by exchanging on emerging innovations."

Benoit VINCENT , Director-General, World Trade Center Marseille Provence :

"GBF 2025 in Marseille will be a unique opportunity for French-speaking companies to forge strategic links and access new markets. Our B2B matchmaking sessions and networking events will facilitate these exchanges."

Maxime Chambon , President of B2C TRANS & Club FUTUREXPORT :

"Just as a surfer chooses the right wave, pragmatic leaders evaluate the best opportunities, and GBF 2025 is definitely one of them."

A special thank you to the following journalists who participated in this insightful discussion:

Benhadda Khelaf (Independent Journalist)
Hacene Ait Amara (Magazine Indjazat)
Hage Boutros (Journal l'orient le jour )
Nicholas Badoui (University Professor of Journalism)
Michel Caire (Editor-in-Chief, DESTIMED)
Nacima Abderrahmane (Independent Journalist)
Saida Mayouf (Canal Algérie – French Edition)
Tiana Rasoanilana (WTC Antananarivo) with two journalists from Vision Madagascar
Nadia Raonimalina (Magazine Malina – Transparency International)