By Vishwesh Iyer
SINGAPORE, July 14, 2024 – World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), an international trade association, is poised for significant growth in the Asia Pacific region, as outlined by Scott Wang, WTCA Vice President – Asia Pacific. In a recent discussion with AsiaBizToday, Wang delved into WTCA’s plans to broaden its footprint across key cities and industrial hubs, leveraging its extensive network and brand strength to foster global trade and economic development.

WTCA continues to play a vital role in global trade development, with a strong focus on expanding its presence in the Asia Pacific region. Through strategic collaborations, robust infrastructure, and a unique value proposition, WTCA is well-positioned to support the growth of key business hubs like Singapore and expand its network to new markets.
The WTCA Network and Its Global Impact
Founded in 1969, WTCA has evolved into a formidable global network, owning the global license for the World Trade Center (WTC) brand. This brand, characterized by its iconic three-pillar world logo, is present in over 300 major cities across nearly 100 countries, supporting over one million affiliated companies. Wang highlighted WTCA’s unique ecosystem, comprising its prestigious brand, diverse facilities, comprehensive services, and a robust global network.
Wang emphasized WTCA’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Asia Pacific region, which already hosts 92 WTC businesses — approximately one-third of the global network. The region’s significant economic growth and strategic importance make it a focal point for WTCA’s future endeavours.
“Our value proposition is unique. We don’t have traditional competitors in the same sense. If anything, we compete with ourselves to live up to our value proposition and deliver for the business community,” Wang explained.
WTCA’s future in the Asia Pacific region looks promising. The organization plans to cover more cities, leveraging the WTCA ecosystem to benefit more business communities and developers. Wang highlighted the potential for the growth of quality members in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where business infrastructure is still developing.

“We see vast opportunities in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where business infrastructure is still developing. Our goal is to bring the WTCA ecosystem to more of these cities, benefiting local business communities and developers as well as our current membership base,” Wang explained.
Singapore’s Strategic Role
Singapore plays a crucial role in WTCA’s Asia Pacific strategy due to its strategic location, exceptional infrastructure, and robust economy. The city-state’s impressive growth, with a year-on-year increase of 2.7% in the first quarter of 2024, underscores its importance as a business hub.
“Singapore’s strategic location and exceptional infrastructure make it a vital hub for international trade and commerce. WTCA is well-positioned to support Singapore’s growth as a business hub, offering substantial business connections and international trade services to both large enterprises, and small- and medium-sized businesses,” Wang said.
WTCA’s collaboration with its licensees – comprised of conference & exhibition centers, economic development agencies, real estate developers, universities, logistical hubs, airports, free zones and more – is essential for establishing and utilizing WTC licenses in Singapore and beyond. WTC facilities range from office spaces to exhibition and conference centers, hospitality, and retail spaces. WTCA’s city-exclusive licensing policy ensures that each WTC location is unique and leverages the global network effectively.
“Obtaining a WTC license means gaining access to our brand, which instills confidence and attracts businesses seeking trusted environments for their operations. This enhances Singapore’s appeal as a strategic business hub in Asia Pacific,” Wang stated.
Industrial Parks and Licensing Agreements
WTCA is also expanding its presence in the industrial park sector, particularly in India and Vietnam. These parks leverage WTCA’s global connectivity to attract investors and facilitate international trade. The organization’s model revolves around territory and city exclusivity, protecting members’ investments while allowing for strategic expansions through satellite licenses.
“Our ecosystem consists of four major components: our prestigious brand, facilities (the hardware), services (the software), and our global network. Each component supports the others, enhancing the overall WTC brand value and impact of our operations,” Wang explained.
(Pix courtesy WTC, Bengaluru)