In a historic and groundbreaking move, the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have officially united their strengths to fortify global trade and foster economic collaboration. This strategic partnership is set to elevate the support and resources available to businesses and organizations engaged in international trade.

The WTCA, renowned for its extensive network of World Trade Centers (WTCs) spanning the globe, has long been dedicated to advancing global commerce, championing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and nurturing vital business connections. On the other hand, the WTO, as the foremost international authority responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade negotiations, possesses a wealth of resources and expertise that can significantly benefit WTCA Members and their business associates.

This groundbreaking initiative emerged from a recent meeting at the WTO, featuring Ambassador Wilson, Chair of the MSME Working Group, and Robin van Puyenbroeck, Executive Director of Business Development at WTCA. The partnership between WTCA and WTO merges the profound industry insights and global reach of WTCA’s WTCs with the regulatory expertise and trade policy influence of the WTO. This synergy is poised to offer comprehensive support to businesses seeking to expand their international trade horizons.

Robin van Puyenbroeck, the Executive Director of Business Development at WTCA, emphasized that “in our relentless pursuit of fostering international trade, we believe that this collaboration holds immense potential to advance our shared objectives of promoting global commerce, supporting SMEs, and building robust trade networks.” By aligning our efforts, we can create a powerful synergy that will be made accessible to all WTC businesses and their networks through two engaging tools – Trade4MSMEs.org and The Trade Game. Additionally, Members will have the opportunity to integrate WTC services into the country pages of the Trade4MSMEs tool, as explained by Robin van Puyenbroeck.

WTC Abuja is thrilled to be part of this partnership, extending its reach under the aegis of the World Trade Center Association. This collaboration will undoubtedly be maximized to benefit its business and membership club members by providing enhanced access to WTO resources through the utilization of The Trade Game and Trade4MSMEs tools. These resources will empower members to navigate the complexities of global trade more effectively, equipping them with the knowledge and tools essential for successful international trade engagement.

The objective of The Trade Game is to augment trade knowledge and decision-making skills by acquainting WTC Abuja members with the processes and challenges involved in exporting products while navigating the intricacies of international trade. Meanwhile, Trade4MSMEs, a dynamic platform, is dedicated to supporting Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in international trade.

This partnership is poised to usher in a transformative era for global trade, providing our members with the resources and support necessary to navigate the intricacies of the international marketplace. Joint efforts will be dedicated to promoting global trade, encouraging investment, and facilitating networking opportunities for businesses through events, seminars, and more.

WTC Abuja members now enjoy exclusive access to the wealth of resources and tools provided by the WTO to pursue their business aspirations and expand their global reach.

Stay tuned for further developments as these two influential organizations work in tandem to shape the future of global trade.