Record Participation at 2016 Access China Program
NEW YORK, NY, USA - The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is pleased to announce that Mr. Ghazi Abu Nahl, Chairman of WTCA, and Mr. Scott Ferguson, CEO of WTCA, were joined by more than 90 representatives of 27 World Trade Center operations and business delegations from North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific Region attending the 19th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen. Organized by the Ministry of Commerce of China, CIFIT is a top international investment and trade platform in China, which is annually held from September 8 to 11 in Xiamen, China.
In recognition of the leading role CIFIT plays in facilitating investment and trade in China and the rest of the world, the WTCA has organized successful participation at Access China/CIFIT program for five consecutive years since 2011. Among the many highlights at this year’s program, the WTCA showcased its global network and branding through its high-profile WTCA Pavilion with the theme of “WTCA Global Network Propels One Belt One Road Initiative” and core functionalities of Access, Incubate and Share.
“I understand One Belt One Road is the main theme of CIFIT this year. As one of world’s largest integrated networks of international trade facilities and services, the World Trade Centers Association has over 300 World Trade Center (WTC) licenses in nearly 100 countries. Among them, more than two-thirds are located in major cities, ports and trade hubs along the route of “One Belt One Road”. The WTCA’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution in April 2016 to support the “One Belt One Road” initiative by leveraging WTC operations’ access to their local business community and capacity to facilitate international trade and investment.” said Mr. Abu Nahl.
During CIFIT, the WTCA co-hosted the 15th World Business Leaders Roundtable with CCPIT National Council, CCPIT/WTC Xiamen and CIFIT Organizing Committee with a focus on Cross-boarder E-commerce which features major players in this industry including Alibaba and Amazon. Mr. Abu Nahl and Mr. Ferguson delivered keynote speeches for the Roundtable. In addition, the WTCA co-hosted the Maritime Silk Road Business Matchmaking Symposium with CIFIT Fujian and major trade organizations from Australia, Japan, Jordan and other countries. The symposium was attended by hundreds of companies including many business members of WTCA Members. At the same time, the WTCA organized events such as WTCA HQ-WTCs Roundtable, press conference, tour of Xiamen Free Trade Zone, and high-level meetings with government and business leaders.
The 2016 WTCA Access China/CIFIT program has attracted record participation in terms of regional representation and the number of participating WTC operations and WTC delegates. It also achieved greater diversification with a mix of WTC delegates and business members. "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to attend the CIFIT, and meet with our colleagues from all over the world. This year we managed to organize a more diversified delegation with strong participation from overseas WTCA Members and our business members, which demonstrates the increased popularity of the WTCA Access China/CIFIT program in our worldwide network, and the enhanced recognition of the CIFIT around the world ” said Mr. Scott Ferguson.
The 27 participating WTCA Members included: WTC Algeria, WTC Beijing, WTC Chengdu, China WTC, WTC Cyprus, WTC Chongqing, WTC Dandong, WTC Fuzhou, WTC Harbin, WTC Jinzhong, WTC Nanchang, WTC Nanjing, WTC Noida, WTC Perth, WTC Pescara, WTC Qatar, WTC Quanzhou, WTC Riyadh, WTC Shanghai, WTC Suzhou, WTC Tampa Bay, WTC Tianjin, WTC Xiamen, WTC Xi’an, WTC Wuxi, WTC Yongkang and WTC Zhengzhou.
About WTCA: Founded in 1970, the World Trade Centers Association is a nonprofit, non-political association dedicated to the establishment and effective operation of World Trade Center operations as instruments for the promotion of international trade. Currently, there are more than 300 World Trade Center licenses in nearly 100 countries around the world. Served by each of these World Trade Center operations is a growing list of an estimated hundreds of thousands of businesses all in pursuit of new customers, sources of supply and opportunities for investment.
About CIFIT: Approved by China’s State Council and sponsored solely by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the China International Fair for Investment and Trade is the only international investment promoting event featuring two-way investment facilitation in China. For the past 19 years, exhibiting countries or regions convene in Xiamen, China at this annual exposition for a series of activities including professional business matchmaking, forums and seminars. CIFIT serves not only as an important gateway for China to attract foreign investment, but also as a bridge for outbound investment to Chinese businesses.
To learn more about CIFIT, click on the source link below.