World Trade Centre to start operations at Infopark

TechnoparkToday.com(Feb, 2015): The state will soon have one of world’s most coveted trade facilitation centres with the Bengaluru-based Brigade Group developing Kerala’s first World Trade Centre (WTC) at Infopark Campus Kochi.

The WTC is a trade facilitating body licensed by the New York-based World Trade Centres Association (WTCA). The Kochi centre, with a total workspace of 7.70 lakh sq.ft, will be the second such facility in South India, after Bengaluru. The first phase of the building will be completed be operational by September this year while the second phase will be ready for operations by the end of 2016. When completed, the Rs 250 crore project is expected create 8,000 new jobs.

“The WTC in Kochi will give more thrust to IT/ITeS industries, given the city’s growing significance as one of the most sought-after IT destinations in the country,” said Shri P H Kurian, Principal Secretary for IT and Industries, addressing a press conference in Kochi.

“The project will definitely add more value to Kochi as a major business hub,” he added.The WTC will be a major game-changer for Kochi, the commercial hub of the state. The trade centre will also help IT companies here to boost their exports and expand business to countries word wide while attracting global IT giants  to Kochi,” Infopark CEO Hrishikesh Nair said.

WTCs are set up for the purpose of boosting international trade. Besides acting as knowledge centres for business houses, they also manage inbound and outbound delegation visits.Founded in 1968, WTCA comprises about 330 World Trade Centers spread over 100 countries. Over a million international organisations are associated with these WTCs.

Vishal Mirchandani, CEO – Retail & Commercial, Brigade Enterprises Ltd and P. Balaram Menon, president, Bangalore WTC, also spoke on the occasion.