Maharashtra Reaffirms Its Leadership in Growth and Investment
At the Diplomatic Roundtable held during the 10th Global Economic Summit and the WTCA Asia Pacific Conference, Mr. Kaustubh Dhavase, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, reaffirmed Maharashtra’s position as a leading state in development and investment. He stated that Maharashtra continues to drive India’s progress towards a 5 trillion-dollar economy. The event brought together Ambassadors and Consul Generals from more than 30 countries, along with representatives from over 50 World Trade Centres across the Asia Pacific region. This strong participation further positioned Maharashtra as a centre for ideas, investment, trade, and growth.
Maharashtra’s Infrastructure Push Strengthens Growth Momentum
Mr. Dhavase highlighted that the state’s CAGR growth has remained in double digits for over 12 years, except during the Covid period. He explained that this momentum is driven by rapid development in both social and physical infrastructure. As an example, he mentioned the coastal road network being created through land reclamation. This new network will run parallel to the suburban railway system, which already serves nearly 9 million passengers each day. According to him, such projects are reshaping Maharashtra’s development ecosystem and improving urban mobility.
Vision for a Trillion-Dollar Economy
While outlining Maharashtra’s aspiration to become a trillion-dollar economy, Mr. Dhavase emphasised the consistent reform efforts taken by policymakers. He also shared details of the Chief Minister’s forward-looking development plan for Navi Mumbai. This includes Edu City for international universities, an Innovation and IT City for modern service sectors, the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport to improve global connectivity, and the Wadhawan port to boost maritime trade. He invited global diplomats to explore investment opportunities across these emerging sectors.
Strong Global Diplomatic Participation
The roundtable welcomed diplomats from countries including Bangladesh, South Africa, Egypt, Thailand, Ghana, Ukraine, Argentina, Malaysia, Japan, Mali, the UK, Vietnam, Yemen, Kuwait, Belarus, Ecuador, the Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Tanzania, and Uganda. Their participation strengthened Maharashtra’s engagement with global partners and encouraged cross-border collaboration.
WTCA Asia Pacific Conference Focuses on Trade and Connectivity
The WTCA Asia Pacific Conference, held alongside the summit, gathered leaders from more than 50 countries in the World Trade Centers Association network. They discussed how the WTC community supports regional growth, enables investment, enhances infrastructure, and promotes connectivity-driven innovation. The conference included several panel sessions featuring WTC representatives from across the region.
Insights from Global WTC Leaders
During the discussions, Ms. Crystal Edn, Executive Director of Member Services at the World Trade Centre Association, explained how the WTC movement helps regions form meaningful trade partnerships. She stated that WTCs play a key role in building dialogue and strengthening cooperation. Mr. Scott Wang, WTC Vice President, added that the WTC community provides a platform for each member to showcase unique opportunities within their region. He also emphasised that WTC events aim to uplift societies through trade promotion rather than generate profit.
India Strengthens Its Role Within the WTCA Network
Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman of World Trade Centre Mumbai and Board Director of the World Trade Centre Association in New York, welcomed delegates and spoke about India’s contribution to the WTCA movement. He noted that WTC Mumbai was the first in India and helped establish the foundation for other WTCs in the region. He also highlighted the dynamic nature of the Asia-Pacific region, which currently accounts for nearly 40 percent of global merchandise trade. By 2030, this region is expected to contribute more than 60 percent of global growth. He stressed that such growth must benefit communities and that the WTC network will continue to support this progress.
Accreditation of New WTCs Across India
The conference marked the premier accreditation of WTC Kochi and the accreditation of WTC Goa, WTC Jaipur, and WTC Bhubaneshwar. Additionally, WTC Coimbatore, WTC Future City, WTC Hinjawadi, WTC Kozhikode, WTC Nashik, WTC Thane, and WTC Nhava Sheva joined the WTCA community as new members.
WTCs as Catalysts for Community and Business Growth
The discussions also explored how WTCs uplift communities through trade exhibitions, events, and business engagement programmes. Speakers explained that these initiatives do more than showcase trade opportunities. They also create economic vibrancy, support SMEs, and enable market expansion across sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, innovation, and services. As a result, WTC-led events play a vital role in promoting employment, investment, and global stakeholder engagement.
Modern WTC Infrastructure as a Driver of Competitiveness
The panel further examined how purpose-driven WTC infrastructure supports long-term economic growth. Modern WTCs function as integrated ecosystems featuring sustainable design, flexible workspaces, innovation hubs, and logistics-enabled facilities. These developments attract foreign investment, support trade, and strengthen regional competitiveness. Speakers also noted that WTC infrastructure is not just about buildings but about creating environments that empower businesses to grow.
Digital Connectivity and Innovation Support Take Centre Stage
Finally, the conference highlighted the importance of digital tools, cross-border networks, advisory services, and B2B matchmaking. These elements help SMEs and start-ups explore new markets and adopt emerging technologies. The discussions concluded that physical, digital, and institutional connectivity now form the core of modern trade facilitation and remain essential for business competitiveness across Asia Pacific.
