World Trade Centers Association celebrates ‘A Half Century of Global Trade Connectivity’

The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), of which World Trade Center (WTC) Colombo is a member, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year as the owner of the iconic global ‘World Trade Center’ and ‘WTC’ trademarks.  

Founded in 1969 by Guy Tozzoli who was responsible for building the original New York WTC, the non-profit organisation has become the world’s trusted global brand, facilitating international business connections and trade. The WTCA kicked off its year-long anniversary campaign celebrating ‘A Half Century of Global Trade Connectivity’ at its 50th General Assembly in Querétaro, Mexico, and will conclude the celebration at the GA in Taipei in March 2020.

“It is really quite special to have made it to 50 years,” stated WTCA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott Ferguson. “Last year, we developed a plan with the vision to ‘become the world’s trusted global brand facilitating international business connections and trade’, and the tagline, ‘connecting the business world’. Taken together with our unique network makeup, and the history of the last 50 years, our theme for the Anniversary is ‘A Half Century of Global Trade Connectivity’.” 

The roots of the prestigious WTC brand began in 1939 when the World’s Fair in Queens, New York named its grounds ‘World Trade Center’. It was born of the idea that doing business around the globe should be as easy as doing business down the street. Over the past 50 years, it has evolved to become a network of more than 325 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organisations in nearly 100 countries promoting global trade and investment.

Spanning six continents, many of the WTCs around the world are considered iconic buildings in the cities where they are located, and differ from other branded commercial properties with the connectivity, services, and collaborative offerings they provide tenants via the WTCA network.

WTC Colombo was established more than 20 years ago in Sri Lanka under the patronage of Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC Chairman S.P. Tao, owner, developer, and manager of the building. Since its inception, WTC Colombo has emerged as Sri Lanka’s most impressive commercial landmark, as well as the most sought-after business address in the country, boasting the largest business-to-business network under one roof. 

Situated in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD) and surrounded by key public transport hubs, the 750,000-plus-square-foot building accommodates a prestigious tenant base with more than 200 local, international, and multinational brand names including the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka.

“In accordance with the WTCA’s motto for global trade connectivity, WTC Colombo thrives in Sri Lanka by providing superior service to its owners, occupants, and visitors, and by carrying out comprehensive refurbishing and upgrading programs to the common facilities of the building,” stated WTC Colombo Group CEO/Director Pravir Samarasinghe. “Our services and programs are a strong testament to our dedication and commitment to excellence in providing quality office space in the region and establishing connections between our tenants.” 

The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 325 highly connected,

mutually supporting businesses and organisations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the

‘World Trade Center’ and ‘WTC’ trademarks, the WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for Members to use in conjunction with their independently-owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its members, the goal of the WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe through member engagement. To learn more visit www.wtca.org.