News

Virtual Session on US Tariffs and India’s Trade

March 9, 2026 - 4 Mar 2026 Our virtual dialogue on the US tariffs offered timely and valuable perspectives on what these shifts mean for India’s trade in the context of current geopolitical situation. Ambassador T. P. Sreenivasan, Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Vienna, shared clear and insightful views on the tariff scenario, the importance of pursuing a trade agreement with the United States, and how global developments are affecting India’s negotiation approach. The conversation was moderated by Dr. D. Dhanuraj, Chairman of Centre for Public Policy Research, who helped breakdown this complex theme. The session began with introductory remarks by K. K. Pillai from Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES), our program partner. We thank all the attendees from diverse industries whose participation made the discussion more engaging. Read More

9th Episode – Discovery Series: Belgium

March 9, 2026 - 24 Feb 2026 The 9th episode of the WTC–BCIC Discovery Series discussed the practicalities of doing business in Belgium, offering Indian MSMEs concise insights into one of Europe’s most strategic yet underrated markets. This ongoing series continues to guide Indian entrepreneurs in understanding global markets, one country at a time. The discussion highlighted Belgium’s strong advantages — exceptional connectivity, cultural diversity, and its position as a natural gateway to Europe. Speakers shared their views on the business environment, regulatory expectations, and the region’s work culture. Panelists Dharanidharan Sivasamy, Foreign Direct Investment Officer, Hub.Brussels Alex T Koshy, Director, SAS Partners Corporate Advisors Pvt. Ltd. Arne Aertbeliën, Area Manager Invest - Asia, Hub.Brussels Moderator Karnvir Mundrey, Podcaster and Founder & Chief Ideation Officer, Atharva Marcom, India This episode drew participation from industry leaders and entrepreneurs, giving them a clearer view of Belgium’s potential in trade and investment. With a special 10th episode coming up, the series is set to offer an experience that goes beyond any single market. Stay tuned! Read More

Elevating Safety Week at WTC Bengaluru

March 9, 2026 - 4 Mar 2026 National Safety Week 2026 (4 March – 10 March) commenced at World Trade Center Bengaluru with activities centred on safety awareness and responsibility across the campus. The day opened with the flag hoisting ceremony followed by a safety pledge, setting a purposeful tone for the week. A leadership message on safety highlighted the need for continued vigilance, preparedness, and collective commitment to safe workplace practices. In the days ahead, the campus will host specialized training programs, demonstrations, and a safety equipment exhibition, helping tenants and staff learn practical safety techniques and best practices. These initiatives reflect WTC Bengaluru’s efforts to foster a workplace where safety is an integral part of everyday operations. Read More

Visit of Australian Delegation

March 9, 2026 - 2 Mar 2026 World Trade Center Bengaluru, in collaboration with ANZ-India Business Chamber, successfully hosted the ANZIBC Regional Business Meet in Bengaluru. The event featured distinguished speakers including: Dr. Arun Abraham George, Business Consultant, New Zealand Suresh Ranganathan, Aspire Systems, Singapore S. T. Prashantha Kumar, Fox Mandal & Associates, Bengaluru Raman Bhalla, SIPBN, Australia Santhosh Perumala, MD & CEO, ANZIBC Vivek George, AGM-World Trade Center Bengaluru The interactive session brought together an Australian Business Mission to India, creating a platform to discuss cross-border collaboration and emerging avenues for trade and investment. The evening concluded with a networking dinner and it was an excellent platform for delegates to connect with industry leaders and international business representatives. Read More

MOU with Global Institute of Business Studies

March 9, 2026 - 21 Feb 2026 Global Institute of Business Studies (GIBS), Bangalore, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with World Trade Center (WTC), Bengaluru to foster academic and industry collaboration. The partnership will feature joint conferences, seminars and workshops along with guest lectures and expert sessions from WTC professionals. Students will benefit from internships, mentorship programs, industry visits and networking opportunities. The collaboration also includes research initiatives, innovation challenges and recognition events to celebrate excellence. With advisory support from WTC on global business practices, this MoU aims to bridge academia and industry, empowering GIBS students for global success. The MOU was exchanged between Vineet Verma, Managing Director-WTC and Prof.Guruprasad Rao, Assistant Professor & Head - International Relations and Head – Executive Education at GIBS. Read More

Importance of Writing a Will

March 9, 2026 - 17 Feb 2026 Our virtual session on the “Importance of Writing a Will”, led by CA Sreejith Kuniyil, Founder of True Legacy, addressed common misconceptions surrounding the Last Will and Testament. Mr. Sreejith highlighted why drafting a will is a crucial step in personal and family financial planning. He offered insights into the implications of not having a will and explained how inheritance laws in India vary across different religious communities. The session, organized in collaboration with the National Institute of Personnel Management (NIPM), opened with remarks by Dr. M. H. Raja, Immediate Past National President of NIPM, who framed the significance of the topic and set the context for the discussion. Participants from across the country, including senior leaders and retired professionals, joined the webinar and contributed to an engaging conversation through their questions. Read More

Cross-Cultural Communication in a Global Network

February 9, 2026 - 4 Feb 2026 Our virtual session on “Cross-Cultural Communication in a Global Network,” led by Tamir Maharaj, Trade Advisor at WTC Winnipeg, provided an overview of cultural nuances in global business communication. Tamir highlighted common barriers that arise in cross-cultural settings and explained frameworks to help overcome misinterpretations, cultural biases, and communication gaps. The session offered guidance on approaching international meetings, negotiations, and collaborations with greater sensitivity, clarity, and adaptability. Organized in partnership with the Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES), the program concluded with closing remarks from C. U. Poovaiah IRS (Retd), Regional Director of EPCES (Karnataka) and was moderated by Vivek George, AGM, WTC. The webinar drew participation from CXOs, Directors, Partners, managers, and teams across diverse industry sectors, underscoring the growing importance of cultural intelligence in today’s interconnected world. Read More

Annual Talk on Union Budget 2026-27

February 9, 2026 - 3 Feb 2026 Our Annual Post-Budget Talk on “Union Budget 2026–27” offered a clear breakdown of what this year’s announcements mean for India’s growth story. Homi P. Ranina, Tax Expert & Senior Lawyer, Supreme Court of India, delivered a detailed analysis of the budget proposals. He highlighted the focus on technology‑driven growth, India’s rising position as a manufacturing and export hub, skilling initiatives, MSME support, high‑speed rail, rare earths, data centres, and semiconductors. P. Gopalakrishnan, Regional Chairman, FIEO, opened the session with his perspective on the budget’s direction and its impact on India’s exports. Raman Jokhakar, Forum of Free Enterprise, closed the session by reflecting on the complexity of crafting a national budget for a diverse country like India and emphasized its role as a framework shaping the nation’s future. Vivek George, AGM, WTC moderated the session. With attendees from diverse industries and senior roles, the webinar was very well-received. Grateful to our event partners for their support: Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), The A. D. Shroff Memorial Trust, Nani A. Palkhivala Memorial Trust, and Forum of Free Enterprise. Read More

Engaging the Next Generation

February 6, 2026 - 29 Jan 2026 The Business Club Member Advisory Council of WTCA, organized a virtual session on how WTC Business Clubs are evolving to attract young leaders and entrepreneurs. Panelists Pedro Sampaio, Director of Executive Content, Business Club, World Trade Center Lisboa and World Trade Center Ribeirão Preto Lila Cailles, Vice President - Marketing & Business Development, World Trade Center Metro Manila Ted Jansen, Founder & MD, Embora Group Claire Viaggi, Manager, World Trade Center Brest Anaïs Jan, WTCA Membership Development Lead (Moderator) The discussion emphasized the importance of in-person engagement, with the panelists observing stronger participation in face-to-face events. Networking formats, such as startup–corporate connects, trade mission interactions, and business meetups, remain highly impactful for emerging entrepreneurs. The next generation prefers interactive, experiential activities, including tours, volunteering roles, and hands-on exposure across industries, which help them build meaningful connections. The panel also highlighted the need for modern outreach approaches, including influencer-driven communication, to better reach younger audiences. Vivek George, Chair of Business Club MAC delivered the opening remarks. The session was attended by WTC members from across the globe. Read More

Interactive Session on India–Australia ECTA

February 6, 2026 - 27 Jan 2026 We together with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce under the aegis of their International Business Expert Committee, organised an interactive session on the recently announced India-Australia ECTA. The session was addressed by Mr. Vik Singh, Consul Commercial, Trade and Investment Commissioner, South Asia, Austrade. In his address, Mr. Singh highlighted the benefits of tariff-free access under the India–Australia ECTA, Austrade’s role in promoting trade, investment, and education, the importance of industry chambers and state–federal coordination and outlined Australia’s New Roadmap for Economic Engagement with India. Members of the International Business Expert Committee and other selected invitees participated in the discussion. Read More

8th Episode – Discovery Series: Vietnam

February 6, 2026 - 20 Jan 2026 The 8th episode of the WTC–BCIC Discovery Series explored Vietnam, a rising destination for Indian MSMEs looking to expand globally. This series is an ongoing effort to equip Indian entrepreneurs with market-specific insights where each episode focuses on a new international market. This session highlighted Vietnam’s business environment, investment climate, and growing opportunities for collaboration. The discussion covered bilateral trade potential, on?ground market realities, emerging sectors, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Speakers also emphasized the value of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) network in supporting market entry and enabling cross-border partnerships. Panelists H. E. N.S. Srinivasa Murthy, Honorary Consul in the State of Karnataka, Socialist Republic of Vietnam Huynh Dinh Thai Linh, CEO, WTC Binh Duong New City Guillaume Rondan, CEO & Founder, MoveToAsia Co. Ltd. Moderator Karnvir Mundrey, Podcaster and Founder & Chief Ideation Officer, Atharva Marcom, India The session was inaugurated by Shamanth S N from BCIC Karnataka, who emphasized Vietnam’s growing relevance in BCIC’s global expansion strategy. This episode brought together diplomats, market specialists, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, offering Indian businesses a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s opportunities across manufacturing, technology, services, and the startup ecosystem. We extend our gratitude to our partners, World Trade Center Binh Duong New City and BCIC Karnataka, for their support in making this edition possible. Stay tuned for future episodes as we continue to spotlight global markets through the Discovery Series. Read More

Understanding DPDP Rules 2025

December 24, 2025 - 18 Dec 2025 The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, notified in November 2025, mark a major milestone in India’s data privacy framework. To help businesses prepare for compliance, World Trade Center organized an insightful session in collaboration with BDO India as our Knowledge Partner. The webinar provided a compliance roadmap for organizations, covering: Key provisions of the DPDP Act and Rules The three-phase implementation process Immediate steps for readiness Common challenges and practical solutions Expert speakers Amit Tenglikar (Associate Partner – Cybersecurity, BDO India) and Krithika Subramani (Associate Director – Cybersecurity, BDO India) delivered an in-depth presentation with actionable insights, making the session highly informative. We were joined by CXOs, directors, managers, and founders from diverse industries, who enriched the discussion with their questions and comments. Stay tuned for more knowledge sessions that empower businesses to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. Read More