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India–Norway Focus on Energy & Investment Ties

March 6, 2026 - World Trade Center Mumbai, in association with the All India Association of Industries (AIAI)and the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Mumbai, successfully organized an International Trade Dialogue with Norway. This event brought together government representatives, industry leaders, and trade stakeholders to explore opportunities for strengthening India–Norway economic cooperation, particularly in sustainable energy, maritime innovation, and green technologies. The event was attended by H.E. Ms. Monica Nagelgaard, Consul General, Royal Norwegian Consulate General, Mumbai, reflecting the importance of India–Norway bilateral engagement. Mr. Fredrik Bjerke Abdelmaguid, Deputy Consul General, Royal Norwegian Consulate General, Mumbai, highlighted “Norway is keen to deepen economic engagement with India and expand cooperation across clean energy, sustainable maritime solutions, and innovation-driven sectors.” “The complementarities between Norwegian technological expertise and India’s growing industrial and entrepreneurial ecosystem align strongly with the India–EFTA TEPA framework. The USD 100 billion investment commitment under EFTA over the next 15 years represents a significant boost to bilateral cooperation.” added Mr. Fredrik Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said, “With India aiming to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070 and targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, partnerships with countries like Norway, which are global technological leaders play a key role. Beyond clean energy, there is also significant potential for cooperation in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, maritime equipment, shipping technologies, and chemicals, where both countries can leverage their complementary strengths to expand trade and industrial collaboration.” Dr. Kalantri added, “Bilateral trade between India and Norway has crossed USD 1.2 billion, and with the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which came into effect after nearly 16 years of negotiations, there exists strong potential to significantly double the trade in the coming years.” Ms. Reena R Rao, General Manager, Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (MAHAPREIT), a subsidiary of MPBCDC, Government of Maharashtra, said “MAHAPREIT plays a vital role in promoting solar energy, green technologies, and inclusive infrastructure development to drive socio-economic empowerment. She further highlighted MAHAPREIT’s core verticals, including renewable energy and electric vehicles, agro-processing and biofuels, infrastructure and data centre development, as well as CSR-led initiatives, aimed at fostering sustainable and inclusive growth.” “MAHAPREIT continues to serve as a key facilitator in aligning Maharashtra’s clean energy ambitions with community-led development through strategic partnerships and innovative projects.” added Ms. Reena Mr. Azam Ali Khan, Senior Energy Advisor for India, NORWEP (Norwegian Energy Partners), said “There are emerging opportunities for collaboration in offshore energy, green transition technologies, and sustainable industrial practices. Strengthening partnerships between Norwegian companies and Indian enterprises, particularly MSMEs, can accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient solutions and contribute meaningfully toward achieving global climate goals.” The session also included an interactive Q&A session, enabling participants to engage directly with speakers and discuss practical pathways for enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and technology cooperation. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks deliveredby Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai, who acknowledged the Norwegian delegation and participants for contributing to a meaningful exchange of ideas and reaffirmed WTC Mumbai’s commitment to promoting international trade dialogue and economic collaboration. Read More

WTC Mumbai Strengthens Sri Lanka Trade Links

February 17, 2026 - World Trade Center Mumbai, in association with the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), hosted a business delegation from Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral trade, investment cooperation, and industry partnerships between the two countries. The programme focused on enhancing commercial engagement across key sectors including textiles and apparel, handicrafts, lifestyle products, wellness industries, infrastructure, tourism, and IT services. The interaction facilitated over 300 B2B meetings between Indian and Sri Lankan companies, highlighting new opportunities for collaboration, market access, and supply chain integration Ms. Shirani Ariyarathne, Consul (commercial), Consulate General of Sri Lanka, said “India and Sri Lanka share a deep-rooted relationship that goes back millennia. We already have a Free Trade Agreement in goods, and we are now looking to expand cooperation through a Free Trade Agreement in services, which will further strengthen our economic integration. There are significant opportunities in tourism, textiles, automobiles, infrastructure development, and IT, and we are also exploring the further expansion of industrial zones to facilitate greater business engagement. With Sri Lanka offering preferential market access and a rapidly growing economy, the prospects for enhanced bilateral collaboration are extremely promising.” Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said “Since the Free Trade Agreement, India and Sri Lanka have come a long way in strengthening their economic partnership. Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries has crossed USD 6 billion in FY 2024–25, and we expect this to double over the next five years. With nearly 4,000 products enjoying tariff concessions, there is significant scope to expand trade beyond traditional sectors. In this evolving geopolitical environment, strengthening regional partnerships is essential to ensure economic resilience and shared prosperity.” “There is high potential for collaboration in sectors such as textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, agriculture and food processing, IT and digital services, renewable energy, and tourism. India remains one of the largest contributors to foreign direct Investment in Sri Lanka, reflecting strong business confidence and the long-term potential of the bilateral partnership. We are proud to be hosting our sixth delegation from Sri Lanka in the past six months, which reiterates the growing momentum in India–Sri Lanka engagement,” added Dr. Kalantri. Mrs. Mangala Madhuwanthi, Export Development Board Sri Lanka, said “The Sri Lanka Export Development Board plays a vital role in promoting the country’s export sector, with total exports exceeding USD 17.3 billion last year, including USD 13.6 billion in merchandise trade, these exports contribute nearly 19% to GDP. The delegation visiting today represents this diversity with companies from lifestyle, leather, wellness, renewable paper, handicrafts, and traditional batik products, and creative industry products showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich heritage and export capabilities”. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai, who expressed appreciation to the visiting delegation and participants for contributing to meaningful dialogue and strengthening economic bridges between India and Sri Lanka. He added that by partnering with Sri Lankan enterprises, Indian companies can leverage complementary strengths and access wider regional markets. Read More

Urban Heat Resilience Dialogue at WTC Mumbai

February 16, 2026 - World Trade Center Mumbai, in association with Climate Trends, hosted a high-level roundtable on “Urban Heat Stress and Its Growing Impact on India’s Economic Sectors and Public Health” as part of Mumbai Climate Week (MCW). The roundtable focused on the growing implications of urban heat stress across key sectors including energy, MSMEs, automobiles, FMCG, textiles, and urban logistics, highlighting how rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves are affecting productivity, worker safety, electricity demand, and supply chain efficiency across Indian cities. Ms. Aarti Khosla, Founder and Director of Climate Trends, said “Climate action sits at the intersection of public health and economic growth, heat stress is the single largest threat to public health and the macroeconomy. As Mumbai hosts Climate Week for the first time, there is recognition that we are not witnessing daily weather changes, but long-term shifts in climate averages require immediate attention.” “Investing in resilience makes economic sense, every dollar invested can generate up to 19 dollars in avoided losses. While acting today may seem costly, inaction will be far more expensive. We need practical financial models that go beyond taxonomy debates to support MSMEs and protect vulnerable workers, especially in India’s largely informal workforce, as we accelerate the transition to renewables.” Said Ms. Khosla. Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said “If we look at Indian cities today, Urban heat is no longer an environmental issue, it is becoming a serious development challenge. Heatwaves have intensified over the past two decades; many cities are experiencing temperatures 3 to 8 degrees Celsius higher than surrounding rural regions due to the Urban Heat Island effect.” Dr. Kalantri said, “With India’s urban population expected to cross 40 percent by 2030, rising temperatures are increasingly impacting public health, urban liveability, and economic productivity, particularly for vulnerable communities.” “Nearly 75 percent of India’s workforce is exposed to high-temperature conditions, and estimates suggest the country could lose around 5.8 percent of total working hours by 2030 due to extreme heat alone. The World Bank has also warned that GDP losses could reach up to 4.5 percent without adequate adaptation measures.” Added Dr. Kalantri. Mr. Vishwas Chitale, Head, Climate Resilience, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), said, “Rising urban heat is increasingly being driven as much by rapid urbanisation as by climate change. Higher temperatures and relative humidity levels are already impacting overall productivity and industrial output. Addressing heat stress through climate-resilient solutions should therefore be viewed not only as an environmental response but also from a return-on-investment perspective, as these adaptation measures can deliver measurable economic and operational benefits.” The session was moderated by Ms. Archana Choudhary, Associate Director, Climate Trends and the participants emphasised that urban heat, often viewed primarily as an environmental concern, is increasingly emerging as a critical economic and development challenge requiring integrated planning and coordinated action. The roundtable witnessed participation from representatives across industry, finance, healthcare, sustainability, and policy institutions, including auctusESG, ITC, Siemens, Union Bank of India, CEEW, NISM, DSP Asset Managers, State Load Despatch Centre, and the All India MSME Association. The discussion concluded with an interactive exchange among participants, followed by actionable next steps toward strengthening urban climate resilience. Read More

Seattle Business Delegation at WTC Mumbai

February 5, 2026 - Just days after India-US relations broke the ice by announcing a trade deal, World Trade Center Mumbai, in association with the All-India Association of Industries (AIAI), organized a high-level business delegation from Seattle today. This is the first India-focused leadership mission of its kind from the state of Washington, organized by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Greater Seattle Partners, comprising more than 32 senior leaders from business, real estate, technology, aviation, and the creative economy covering entire gamut of trade ties. Sharing insights on the Seattle region’s economic strengths, innovation ecosystem, and opportunities for Indian companies, Mr. Dave Somers, County Executive, Snohomish County, said, “The county of Snohomish hosts the historic Boeing Factory positioning the city of Seattle as an aerospace hub. We at Seattle value international cooperation in trade and investment. With an experience in being a hub for high value manufacturing, we wish to collaborate in areas such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing and telecom technology, green energy, and infrastructure development. In the coming months we will develop a sustainable hub for aviation fuel in line with international standards thereby providing a window of opportunity for international players. Being heavily dependent on international trade, we are always open for trade and development in Snohomish County in Seattle”. Speaking at the event, Mr. Sam Cho, Commissioner, Port of Seattle, said, “The Port of Seattle is one of the most diversified ports in the United States and a major international gateway. We are deeply committed to global connectivity, with the largest cruise business on the U.S. West Coast and a strong maritime presence through the Northwest Seaport Alliance formed in 2015. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, our trade volumes have remained steady”. “The Seattle metropolitan region is home to global leaders such as Boeing, Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks. We see significant opportunities to expand air cargo and passenger services with India, which is currently our 13th-largest air cargo trade partner. With over 277,000 passengers traveling between Seattle and India, we also remain focused on strengthening trade, services, and connectivity. We highly value the role of the World Trade Center and admire the spirit of innovation and service demonstrated by Indian enterprises.” added Mr. Sam Cho Hon. Angela Birney, Mayor, City of Redmond, Washington, said, “Redmond is a global hub for innovation built on talent, diversity, and international collaboration. Nearly 45% of our residents were born outside the United States, and 75% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The Indian community and Indian entrepreneurs play a vital role in our economy and cultural fabric”. “Redmond hosts a growing startup ecosystem in artificial intelligence, fusion energy, implant computers, and clean technology, and is home to several global Indian companies such as HCL, Tata Group, and Tech Mahindra, strengthening two-way economic ties. India is a strategic partner in education, innovation, culture, and long-term growth. By investing in relationships with India, we invest in shared prosperity. US is seriously looking at India as a preferred investment destination” added Ms. Birney. In his welcome address, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said “the recent India–US trade deal, aims to scale bilateral trade in goods and services to USD 500 billion by 2030, similarly we should aim to scale capital flows from US to India from the current mark of 50 Billion dollars”. “This delegation comes at an opportune time as we press reset button to our ties. Seattle is the tech city of the US and as we march towards the 10 trillion-dollar economy by 2030, this relationship with Seattle will work both ways harnessing capital and required technology for the growth of our economy. With this delegation at World Trade Center, Mumbai, I would like to pass on the message through you that India is eager to grow with mutual support. Let temporary hiccups not be a long aberration for our consequential ties”, stressed Dr. Kalantri. Dr. Kalantri stated, “The Seattle region represents key opportunities for Indian businesses, particularly in sectors such as technology, logistics, real estate, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and start-ups. Home to global leaders in aerospace, quantum computing, and innovation including Boeing, Microsoft and several other major companies, Seattle offers strong potential for collaboration with Indian industry. Coming immediately after the India–US trade deal, this first leadership delegation from the region carries special significance, and we are proud to host the delegation at World Trade Center Mumbai”. The event witnessed participation from over 500 representatives from industry, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs. The Seattle business delegation’s visit to World Trade Center Mumbai underscored the shared commitment of India and the United States to deepen economic engagement, foster innovation-led growth, and build resilient global partnerships. Read More

Decoding the Union Budget 2026–27

February 3, 2026 - World Trade Center Mumbai in association with All India Association of Industries, organised a post-Budget session today to deliberate on the implications of the Union Budget 2026–27 for MSME’s, trade, industry, exports, and India’s long-term economic growth trajectory. The discussion brought together industry leaders, exporters, professionals, and policy observers to analyse key budget announcements and their impact on businesses and the broader economy. Mr. Siddhartha Rastogi, Principal Officer, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, Ambit Asset Management, said that the Union Budget clearly lays a path for upcoming years. Highlighting the importance of inclusive growth, Mr. Rastogi said “Achieving a GDP growth rate of 7.2 percent requires strengthening India’s 6 crore MSMEs, which form the backbone of the economy. The initiative to link government spending with the TReDS platform will help unlock liquidity and order books for MSMEs. Promotion of digital payments and securitisation is improving credit flow to the sector and preventing capital from remaining stuck in the system,” said Mr. Rastogi. Mr. Rastogi welcomed the government’s focus on critical minerals to ensure Atmanirbharta emphasizing on economic security along with national security noting that, “schemes announced for rare earth elements would help secure stable supply chains and insulate the economy from geopolitical risks”. Explaining the changes brought in by the Union Budget, Mr. Pranav Prakash Mehta, Partner KJM INC Specialist in Indirect Taxation said, " Though there are no headline changes in taxation policy announced in the budget, the minor tweaks proposed will have significant implications as far as ease of doing business is concerned. One such example is the Amendment pertaining to post supply discount which will increase responsibilities of suppliers which in turn will benefit ultimately the customers”. Speaking on the recent amendments proposed by the Union Budget, “issues like supply invoicing, invoice discounting and explanatory facets will reduce litigation in taxation matters speeding up long pending taxation matters”. Added Mr. Mehta. Giving a perspective on the direct taxation policy proposals in the Union Budget, Mr. Arun Kumar Garodia, Ex ITAT Member and Income Tax Consultant said, " The tax holiday given to data centers will help capital flows in new age technology investment in India which will strengthen our domestic economy and long-term investment climate. Further, it will have a multiplier effect on development of an ecosystem where India will become a centre for data processing and data storage". " The budget has made some proposal relating to Shares buyback which will be now taxed as per the capital gains rather than being taxed under relevant provisions of the Income Tax. This will benefit both industry and shareholders alike. Similarly, The changes in the application of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) for persons investing in the economy would help sustain capital flows over the long term, while the decriminalisation of non-payment of taxes demonstrates the government’s trust and confidence in the business class, reinforcing a more conducive and collaborative environment for economic growth", said Mr. Goradia In his remarks, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries said “This Budget has given us a roadmap for Viksit Bharat by 2047, Whether it is giving incentives to data centres on the lines of tax holidays till 2047, or focused support to technology and industries, it lays down a comprehensive path to achieve a USD 10 trillion economy by 2030”. “India is increasingly becoming a favoured destination due to its strong law and order situation, robust legal framework, and clear government intent. While regulators may be removed, regulations remain. We sincerely hope that the announced measures are implemented effectively to realise their full potential, Simplification in taxes and resolution of legacy issues will significantly improve the ease of doing business in India,” added Dr. Kalantri. Dr. Kalantri stated “government’s focus on achieving double-digit economic growth is encouraging, especially at a time when India continues to perform well despite global economic headwinds”. This year the post budget discussion, which is an annual event at the World Trade Centre, saw more than 150 business leaders, MSMEs and innovators and presence of diplomats from many countries, engaging in a healthy and free flowing discussion on the Union Budget and India’s road ahead for Viksit Bharat. The event concluded with Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Center, Mumbai presenting vote of thanks. Read More

WTC Mumbai Leads Dialogue on Rare Earths

January 28, 2026 - World Trade Center Mumbai in association with the All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and the Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS), convened a high-level Round Table Discussion on “Rare Earths, Minerals, and Strategic Materials: Securing Supply Chains for National Resilience in a Multipolar World.” The event brought together senior government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, diplomats, and domain experts to deliberate on India’s strategic vulnerabilities and opportunities in critical mineral supply chains. Adv. Bal Desai, Secretary General, Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS), underscored the fragility of global supply chains in a multipolar world. He noted “majority of global rare earth processing and refining capacity remains concentrated in China and that many critical minerals are geographically restricted to a few regions. He stressed that in the current strategic environment, control over processing and refining capabilities is more critical than merely possessing mineral reserves”. “Digital infrastructure, defence, space, nuclear energy, clean energy, and advanced electronics all rest on vulnerable material foundations. Export controls and refining monopolies have replaced pure economic competition. Securing supply chains is no longer optional it is a strategic imperative,” Adv. Bal Desai added. Delivering the theme address, Dr. Jaijit Bhattacharya, Senior Fellow, FINS, and President, Centre for Digital Economy Policy Research, the current scenario emerges from past geopolitical disruptions, including China’s rare earth export restrictions to Japan. He highlighted the limitations of focusing only on mining without parallel investments in refining, substitution technologies, recycling, and intellectual property creation. Dr. Bhattacharya pointed to the paradox in India’s position, “noting that while India ranks among the top three countries globally in rare earth deposits, it faces persistent challenges in high-temperature processing, monazite sand mining, access to finance, information asymmetry, and IPR constraints. Referring to the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM) and the evolving MMDR framework, he observed that despite strong geological potential, India continues to face long gestation periods, limited processing capacity, and dependence on foreign technologies”. H.E. Mr. José Mauro da Fonseca Costa Couto, Consul General of Brazil in Mumbai, said “There are vast opportunities for India–Brazil collaboration in the critical minerals space. Brazil currently consists of 27 rare earth projects spread across seven states and holds significant reserves of lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, copper, and germanium. He emphasized that strategic cooperation could help diversify global supply chains and support downstream integration beyond China-centric ecosystems”. Dr. Deependra Singh, President, Rare Earth Association of India, and former CMD of IREL, highlighted key structural and operational challenges facing India’s rare earth sector. He emphasized that processing and separation capabilities are central to value creation and global partnerships, cautioning against the misconception that the mere availability of mineral reserves ensures strategic security. “The rare earth elements derive value only when integrated into advanced applications such as permanent magnets and high-end manufacturing”. Dr. Singh also pointed out that while several rare earth deposits were explored decades ago, operational permissions have been granted only in recent years, with regulatory and environmental clearances continuing to shape project timelines. “India has large reserves of rare earth oxides around 7 million metric tonnes, but we are still heavily dependent on imports for processed materials and magnets,” said Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries. “There is huge potential for India to grow in this sector. However, we face challenges such as lack of large-scale processing and separation technology, environmental and social constraints, and gaps in coordination across institutions. While some regulatory processes are becoming easier, new challenges are emerging as the sector expands. Addressing bottlenecks in technology, processing, and governance will be key for India to fully utilize its rare earth resources,” Dr. Kalantri added Dr. Kalantri also highlighted the strategic importance of rare earth elements across sectors, from microchips used in consumer electronics to high-precision defence applications. India possesses significant reserves of uranium, thorium, and rare earth-bearing minerals; however, technology gaps, regulatory uncertainty, and long development timelines constrain commercialization. The event ended on the note that the advancements, economical, technological and geopolitical, over a decade, will solve the current prognosis of policy certainty and ecosystem development. Read More

WTC Mumbai Seminar on Labour Codes for MSMEs 2026

January 23, 2026 - World Trade Centre Mumbai Hosts Seminar on Labour Codes: Empowering MSMEs for a Future-Ready Workforce "We are at a pivotal moment where labour reforms meet economic ambition. This seminar equips MSMEs with tools to thrive amid digital trade and automation " - Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries. The World Trade Center Mumbai, in association with the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), hosted a high-impact seminar titled " India’s New Labour Codes: Impact on Industries and employees" here today at World Trade Center Mumbai. The event brought together nearly 200 industry leaders, business executives, and HR professionals to understand the impact of the Labour Codes on businesses and MSMEs. Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Suhas Basakhetre, Managing Director, Prompt Personnel Pvt. Ltd., stated, “enhancing the ease of doing business is the central objective of India’s labour law reforms. He noted that the earlier labour laws, many of which had been in force for decades, have now been comprehensively rationalised by consolidating 29 existing laws into four simplified labour codes.” Highlighting the intent behind the reforms, Mr. Basakhetre said that the labour codes focus on simplification of laws, ease of compliance for employers, digitisation of processes, creation of a balanced and equitable framework for both employers and employees, and strengthening enforcement mechanisms. He further added that, “the entire compliance and enforcement ecosystem has now been digitised, significantly reducing regulatory complexity. Over 1,400 compliances have been streamlined to approximately 400, which is a major step towards improving the ease of doing business. The new labour codes aim to provide equal weightage to the interests of employers and employees, fostering a more transparent, efficient, and growth-oriented labour ecosystem.” In his remark, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, stated, “The consolidation of 29 existing labour laws into four unified labour codes is a landmark reform aimed at simplifying labour regulations, expanding worker protections, and improving predictability and clarity for employers. “There would be greater job formalization and increased worker welfare, which would lead to potential job creation and increased consumption. These positives come with certain challenges, including higher wages and labour costs, more formalities, possible job insecurity, strained HR capacity, increased compliance workload, and short-term cost impacts. These reforms mark a decisive step towards building a more unified, resilient, and inclusive labour ecosystem, aligned with India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047,” Dr. Kalantri stated Ms. Yashashri Kulkarni, General Manager, Labour Law Compliance, Prompt Personnel Pvt. Ltd., highlighted key provisions under the Code on Wages, including the fixation of a National Floor Wage and the need for employers to realign and update their wage structures accordingly. She further noted that this is the first time Indian labour legislation has formally defined emerging categories such as aggregators, gig workers, platform workers, and fixed-term employment, reflecting the evolving nature of the workforce. Referring to the Code on Social Security, Ms. Kulkarni pointed out that the EPF case deposit requirement has been significantly reduced from 75 per cent to 25 per cent of the estimated amount, while monetary penalties for non-compliance have been enhanced to strengthen enforcement. She also highlighted important reforms under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, including the introduction of a pan-India single licence regime, liberalisation of leave encashment provisions, and mandatory crèche facilities, all aimed at improving worker welfare while simplifying compliance for employers. The seminar concluded with an engaging and interactive question-and-answer session. Ms. Priya Pansare, Director Trade and Investment Promotion, World Trade Center, Mumbai, presented the vote of thanks by expressing her gratitude to Mr. Suhas Basakhetre and Ms. Yashashri Kulkarni for the insightful seminar. Read More

WTC Mumbai Hosts Vietnam’s Largest Coffee Maker

January 19, 2026 - World Trade Center Mumbai hosted a high-level business interaction with the Trung Nguyen Group Corporation, Vietnam’s largest coffee maker, in the presence of Consul General of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Le Quang Bien Mumbai marking an important step towards strengthening Vietnam–India commercial cooperation. The meeting focused on exploring opportunities for expanding Vietnamese coffee beverage within the rapidly growing Indian market. Discussions highlighted India’s strong consumer demand, evolving retail ecosystem, and the potential for long-term partnerships with Indian businesses. During the meeting, Consul General of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Le Quang Bien said, “India and Vietnam share a dynamic and ever-growing partnership. Both the countries are rising economy and today are engines of Asian growth. With India about to become third largest economy and hosting a young population, Vietnam is naturally interested in expanding business and commercial ties with Indian enterprises and MSMEs”. “I sincerely thank Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman World Trade Centre, Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries for the catalyst role he has played and is playing to guide our delegation towards a concrete partnership. I also take this opportunity to invite WTC Mumbai to the annual Coffee festival which Vietnam will be hosting in the year 2027 to further take our partnership to new heights”, remarked the Consul General. Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman World Trade Centre, Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries while welcoming the Consul General of Vietnam and the delegation to Mumbai said, “There exists ample opportunities for business collaboration between India and Vietnam. India, being the fastest growing economy, is a land of abundant opportunities. We welcome today’s delegation for Vietnam for expanding their coffee products in the Indian markets. With 65% of our population below the age of 35, Indian youths have a knack for developing new tastes. This makes us an attractive consumer in the global market. Mumbai being the commercial and financial capital of India is the perfect destination for global business giants to venture into Indian markets”. Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre, Mumbai outlined India’s market dynamics, regulatory environment, and sector-specific opportunities, while also emphasizing WTC Mumbai’s role as a trade facilitation platform connecting global enterprises with Indian stakeholders. The delegation from Trung Nguyen Group Corporation, Vietnam’s leading coffee brand, shared insights into their global expansion strategy and expressed keen interest in establishing a stronger presence in India through strategic collaborations, distribution partnerships, and market localization initiatives. Read More

WTC Mumbai & GeM Ink MoU to Boost MSME Outreach

January 19, 2026 - Government e-Marketplace (GeM), India's National Procurement Portal, and MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai (WTC Mumbai) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster domestic and international collaboration in public procurement. This partnership aims to enhance GeM's global positioning, promote knowledge exchange, and drive inclusive participation for MSMEs, startups, women entrepreneurs, and underrepresented suppliers. The MoU establishes a structured framework for joint initiatives, such as global procurement dialogues, capacity-building programs, supplier outreach, and research on emerging themes like AI in procurement, sustainability, and green practices. Through MVIRDC Mumbai's extensive international network, the collaboration will facilitate webinars, trade fairs, and buyer-seller meets, enabling Indian MSMEs to access global opportunities while onboarding international suppliers to GeM. Shri Satya Narayan Meena, Additional CEO and Chief Financial Officer of Government e Marketplace (GeM) said, "This MoU marks a pivotal step in evolving GeM into a globally benchmarked platform. With over one crore registered users on the GeM portal, ensuring wider exposure and market access is crucial. By leveraging MVIRDC’s trade and exhibition expertise, we aim to empower MSMEs, women entrepreneurs and smaller enterprises while further strengthening India’s digital procurement ecosystem.” He further highlighted Womaniya programme, which is playing a key role in empowering women entrepreneurs by enhancing their visibility, access to markets, and participation in public procurement, which enables women to reach greater heights. Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, WTC Mumbai and President All India Association of Industries (AIAI) in his remarks, " WTC Mumbai is proud to partner with GeM to bridge domestic public procurement with a diverse range of markets. WTC Mumbai plays a catalyst role in facilitating MSME’s, Women entrepreneurs, startups and With this partnership they will gain access to market and government procurement which will further strengthen their position and supports them to meet their goals through GeM portal” “WTC Mumbai has advocated for timely credit to MSME’s and women entrepreneurs to ensure their competitiveness to the Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of India, falling in place these would also further strengthen the MSME’s towards the objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Since its inception in 2016, GeM continues to scale new heights, in the coming years it has the potential to evolve beyond B2G into B2C or B2E models, further expanding its reach and impact”. stated Dr. Kalantri Key areas of collaboration include: · Knowledge Exchange and Policy Dialogue: Joint conferences, policy briefs, and research on AI, transparency, and MSME inclusion. · Capacity Building and Training: Global training hubs, workshops, and train-the-trainer programs for procurement officials and suppliers. · Global Procurement Integration: Supplier readiness toolkits and compliance frameworks for international opportunities. · Global Supplier Outreach: International Outreach initiatives, GeM pavilions at trade fairs and economic forums, roadshows, and partnerships via WTC networks. A Joint Working Group will oversee the implementation of the initiative, ensuring full alignment with Government of India policies on public procurement, data security, and inclusivity. This collaboration supports the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) agenda, particularly for MSMEs, and strengthens transparent and efficient digital procurement practices. The initiative also contributes to the larger vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by promoting innovation, empowering domestic enterprises, and positioning India as a global leader in digital public procurement. Read More

WTC Mumbai Hosts Sri Lanka Business Roundtable

November 28, 2025 - “India- Sri Lanka ties will enable us to double trade and investment over the coming years, with strategic and bilateral engagement between Indian and Sri Lankan business and investment communities”, expressed Ms. Kishani Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai who participated in a high-level exclusive round table hosted by the World Trade Centre (WTC), Mumbai and All India Association of Industries (AIAI). Ms. Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka, further highlighted the strengthening investment climate in Sri Lanka and the growing participation of Indian companies such as infrastructure, tourism, and services. “Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Sri Lanka has exceeded USD 5 billion in recent years, with India remaining one of Sri Lanka’s leading trade partners and Sri Lanka continuing to be an important South Asian exporter to the Indian market. Beyond goods, there is vast untapped potential in the services industry, particularly in tourism, education, healthcare, logistics, and professional services, offering immense potential and opportunities for deeper collaboration and mutually beneficial growth”. “The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is constituted precisely for the reasons to facilitate inward and outward trade missions from Sri Lanka to the world. India remains the first stop for this board as one of our closest neighbour and trade partners”, stressed Ms. Wickramasinghe. Extending the invitation to investment and trade companies, Ms. Wickramasinghe said, “In the coming year, Sri Lanka is excited to host major flagship events like boat and maritime show and Sri Lanka expo 26 after a break of 13 years. With your participation, these events will help both the countries further cement our trade, business and investment ties”. Ms. Kumudini Irugalbandara, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) expressing gratitude to the World Trade Centre, Mumbai said, “The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is represented in Mumbai for the first time at the World Trade Centre Mumbai, marking an important step toward strengthening export-led engagement with India. Under the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the country now exports more than 25 major product categories along with several specialised segments, reflecting Sri Lanka’s increasingly diversified export base. Under its current strategic plan, the EDB aims to raise Sri Lanka’s export earnings to around USD 6 billion in the coming years, nearly doubling its current scale, by focusing on talents and innovation to achieve our best targets”. Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries said, “India and Sri Lanka share historical bonds which is reflected in our cultural and religious affinity. With Sri Lanka being now the only stable country in our neighbourhood, significant opportunities exist for both the countries to engage in a relation which will be beneficial to both of us”. Recalling the signing of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Dr. Kalantri said, “World Trade Centre, Mumbai hosted the Board of Investment, Sri Lanka on the momentous occasion when both the nations cemented their trade partnership with the signing of the FTA. However, this trade and investment momentum suffered an aberration due to some geopolitical factors. One way to do is to have sector specific focus area where Indian and Sri Lankan players have niche in the global market like tea and coffee. Another way is to focus on religious tourism both ways which will benefits local economy”. “India and Sri Lanka should organize Make in Sri Lanka in Mumbai and Make in India in Colombo events to become a yearly event to boost traded and investment ties featuring initiatives like B2B, B2C and B2G meetings besides exhibition of merchandise products offered and opportunities for Joint Ventures. Ms. Shirani Ariyarathne, Consul (Commercial), Sri Lankan Consulate in Mumbai expressing her gratitude to the World Trade Centre, Mumbai and all the participants present in the meet said, “Sri Lanka consulate and Sri Lankan government is always open to new ideas and opportunities. In recent years, for ease of transaction of investment, the government has allowed inflow of both US Dollar and Indian Rupee for investment purposes. Further, the government is also offering sector wise incentives for foreign investors The Consulate in Mumbai is always ready to help and facilitate investments into Sri Lanka. We have also established a dedicated one stop council and forum for ease of business. The business delegation from Sri Lanka comprised companies from different sectors representing construction, engineering, infrastructure consultancy, and manufacturing. The event saw participation of more than 150 business leaders from the Indian side engaging with the Sri Lankan side to strengthen bilateral cooperation and identify new opportunities for trade, investment, and services. Mr. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre, Mumbai, expressed vote of thanks to the Consul General. Ms. Priya Pansare, Director, Trade and Investment Promotion, World Trade Centre, Mumbai and Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director, All India Association of Industries were also presented and interacted with the business delegation. 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WTC Mumbai Hosts National MSME Taskforce Meet

November 26, 2025 - In a significant effort to engage the policymakers with MSMEs on the persistent efforts to boost manufacturing’s share in the GDP and improve ease of doing business, The World Trade Center Mumbai brought together representatives from various MSME associations for a roundtable discussion with Shri Surendra Kumar Bagde, IAS, Director General, National Centre for Good Governance, Shri Pradeep Ojha, Joint Director, Ministry of MSME and Mr. Sagar Kadu, Director Logistics, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India to discuss the pressing issues faced by small and medium enterprises across the state, particularly deregulation and compliance. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Surendra Kumar Bagde, IAS, Director General, National Centre for Good Governance, said, “It remains the consistent endeavour of the government to engage with all the stakeholders in the MSMEs sector for increasing the share of manufacturing from the current 15% to nearly 25% to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat. The government in recent years has come up with numerous initiatives like changing the threshold for MSMEs, scrapping nearly 200 Quality Control Orders (QCO) for intermediate and raw materials, ensuring supply of credit to the MSMEs, new Export Promotion Mission along with rationalization and simplification of obsolete laws to enable a climate of trust between the sector and the government. He further brought out various circulars and office memoranda issued by the government in the recent past for the betterment of the business climate to the notice of the participants to publicize the initiatives taken by the government, which were hitherto little known to the participants. To make an outreach to the industry, Mr. Bagde further suggested a train-the-trainer initiative for the association which will help dissemination of best practices in the industry. The issue of compulsory safety audits as per new laws was also pointed out, wherein every unit must undergo a safety audit which is empanelled by the government. With a handful of auditors in place and nearly 60,000 industries operating, MSMEs face the persistent challenge of contravention of law. Responding positively, Mr. Bagde, along with Ms. Namrata Gandhi, Deputy Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat assured the associations on the issue and resolved to make a comprehensive research analysis of number of safety auditors in the whole country and the shortfall of it under the ambit of NCGG. Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai, President, AIAI emphasised that MSMEs, over 60 million enterprises contributing nearly 30% to India’s GDP and 45% of the exports form the backbone of the country’s industrial ecosystem and must be supported through streamlined processes, transparent governance, and reduced compliance burdens. He also highlighted a major concern among MSMEs: the growing overlap between Central and State regulations, which creates a dual compliance burden leading to confusion, delays, and inconsistent enforcement at the ground level. Dr. Kalantri stressed the need for stronger coordination between Central and State authorities to ensure uniform, predictable, and clearly aligned regulatory processes. He further suggested a system of self-attestation and auto renewal by MSMEs to ensure trust between the industry and government. He further noted that India currently ranks 63rd out of 190 economies in the Ease of Doing Business index and emphasised that achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Maharashtra’s goal of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy will require a significantly strengthened Ease of Doing Business framework. Mr. Kalantri further underlined that aligning state-level procedures with the national objectives of Ease of Doing Business and Make in India is essential for enabling MSMEs to remain competitive in domestic and global markets. Concerted efforts should be made by government in this regard while taking all the stakeholders into confidence. The discussion revolved around the practical implementation of the rules and regulations of doing business. Various associations pointed out the multiplicity of laws that are ambiguous giving discretionary powers to the bureaucracy. The emphasis on the letter of the law is more prominent on the ground, defeating the purpose of reforms. One such example that was pointed out was the need to take entirely new sets of permissions from the authorities once jurisdiction transfers from one authority to another. This leads to a situation wherein an industry operating for decades has to reapply for new permissions and clearances de novo, hindering business. Upon being brought to the notice of multiple statutory exemptions for MSMEs, Shri Pradeep Ojha, Joint Director, Ministry of MSME assured the participants to present before the government a case of exemption of all statutory approvals for new MSMEs, as the case is in Gujarat and UP. The concern of the rapid introduction of Quality Control Orders and BIS certification requirements was also raised. Participants requested a phased implementation, financial support, and adequate preparation time before strict enforcement Many MSMEs lack access to adequate testing infrastructure, forcing them to depend on expensive overseas agencies, which increases production costs and reduces competitiveness. They also highlighted long approval timelines with Customs, particularly for Advance Authorization licenses, which are currently processed centrally in Delhi and often take six months to a year. In response to this Mr. Sagar Kadu, Director Logistics, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India pointed out,” The government is consistently trying to rationalize the QCOs and enhancing testing infrastructure by public-private partnership. He also emphasised on the Decentralization and faster digital processing adoption by government to deal with this”. The recently implemented Digital Personal Data Protection Act was flagged as a significant area of concern, with members noting the lack of awareness, high compliance costs, and severe penalties up to 250 crores that may disproportionately affect small enterprises. In response to this, , Ms. Radhika Sarda, Young Professional, NITI Aayog and Ms. Olivia Ruhil, Young Professional, NCGM requested the industry to wait till the final notification of rules which will consist of simplified norms, sector-specific guidelines, and government-led awareness programmes. Labour compliance challenges also remain, as industries continue to face enforcement under old systems despite the introduction of new labour codes. Participants sought clarity, updated communication, and training for enforcement officers to prevent contradictory demands and harassment. Several MSMEs shared experiences of receiving GST notices, unpredictable inspections, and facing extortion and misuse of authority at the local level, which create fear and uncertainty for business owners. Across all sectors, members unanimously requested the introduction of self-certification and auto-approval systems for non-critical permissions, a single-window mechanism for addressing grievances across departments, and improved accountability at every level of administration. Shri Surendra Kumar Bhagde acknowledged the issues raised and assured participants that all concerns and recommendations would be compiled and forwarded to the relevant ministries and state authorities for timely action. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing compliance burdens, strengthening ease of doing business, and supporting MSMEs in sustaining growth and competitiveness. The meeting concluded with an understanding that continued structured dialogues between MSME associations and government authorities are essential for creating a more efficient, transparent, and industry-friendly regulatory environment. The roundtable discussion saw participation from representation of major trade and MSMEs associations like WTC Mumbai, AIAI, Laghu Udyog, TISSA, FICCI, RATA, LUB, TTSPL, ASSOCHAM and IEEMA showcasing wide level of participation not only from MMR but also from nearby areas like Thane, Palghar and Raigad. Read More

WTC Mumbai Driving Infrastructure Connectivity

November 21, 2025 - MUMBAI — A distinguished panel of senior government officials and leading infrastructure developers convened at the 10th Global Economic Summit to deliberate on the transformative role of infrastructure in accelerating economic development across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The discussion underscored how strategic infrastructure investment, integrated urban planning, and robust public-private partnerships are essential catalysts for achieving sustained economic growth and enhancing regional competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected global economy.Speaking on the occasion Mr. Bhushan Gagrani, Municipal Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said, “The transformation of Mumbai is driven by conscious efforts, strategic financial resource allocation, and coordinated planning between public authorities and private sector stakeholders. This is evident from the large construction projects which we have undertaken over the previous years. Infrastructure projects like Coastal Road and Sea Link connecting the Mumbai City with the suburban Bandra , Trans harbour link connecting Navi Mumbai with the Mumbai city and expansion of metro which is projected over 150+ km by 2030 has not only enhanced urban mobility but also led to sustainable development of the region. Government aims to achieve the target of 59 minutes which essentially means that a person should reach from point A to point B in less than an hour. This connectivity projects have enabled ease of travel thereby boosting connectivity. Over the next 2-3 years, critical infrastructure projects—including housing developments, sewage treatment plants (STPs), tunnels, connectors, and metro expansion—are expected to significantly improve the living standards as per international benchmarks. As the city expands by 500-700 hectares annually, the government is simultaneously investing in sustainable infrastructure to support this growth without compromising livability.”. Mr. Gagrani further highlighted that the unique challenges posed by Mumbai's geography, as it is an island city with 50% reclaimed land and a linear urban structure, makes traditional concepts of self-sustainable townships with walk-to-work accessibility practically difficult. However, planning authorities have consistently worked to overcome these constraints. He emphasized that meaningful solutions require two key pillars: the development of a robust Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system and the expansion of affordable housing. These initiatives, coupled with strategic infrastructure development in the MMR periphery, can create affordability and accessibility across the metropolitan region. While speaking on affordable housing, Mr. Gagrani said,” Better infrastructure will bring connectivity and thereby equilibrium into the real estate market. This will create affordable housing a reality”. Outlining the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) vision, Mr. Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA stated, “The MMRDA authority operates under four guiding principles: Rebooting the City, Reshaping the MMR, Redesigning travel patterns and Reimagining the city's future”. Mr. Mukherjee further said that these principles are translating into tangible outcomes, particularly through the expansion of the metro network—positioning Mumbai as India's third-largest urban metro system. While outlining the future of the agency Mr. Mukherjee said, "This year we have allocated a budgetary outlay of over 40,000 crores for development of MMR. Current MMRDA initiatives include the development of industrial townships and residential complexes at strategic locations such as BKC (Bandra-Kurla Complex) and Wadala. Connectivity has become a tool to address the walk-to-work objective. We advocate for a hybrid infrastructure system that integrates multiple transit modes and land-use strategies to create liveable, connected communities. The population of MMR officially is at 3.16 crores and population of Canada is 3.6 crores being a country. However, the resource constraints, land availability, spatial distribution, capital allocation, and wealth distribution are fundamentally different. In MMR, we operate within severe geographic and fiscal constraints, requiring locally tailored, context-specific solutions rather than conventional urban planning models. Mr. Mukherjee further said, “The path forward demands us innovative domestic solutions that leverage our strengths while addressing our distinctive challenges. For every rupee which we invest in infrastructure, it has multiplier effect and will yield us 2.5 Rs. in return showing us that investment in infrastructure brings immense benefits to the economy”. “With Maharashtra's economy valued at $552 billion and Mumbai's contribution reaching $134-150 billion, achieving the state's $1 trillion economic target by 2030 requires Mumbai's economy to grow at an accelerated CAGR of 12-14%. This is being powered by state’s forward looking and business friendly Industrial Policy and single window clearance system which aims to remove business constraints and improve business climate”, said Mr. P Anbalagan, Industries Secretary, Government of Maharashtra while identifying the MMR as the primary growth engine for this ambition. Realizing this vision demands a total investment of $850 billion through 2030. These investments can be catalysed by emerging economic sectors, including the creative economy, FMCG, media and entertainment, Global Capability Centers (GCC), and data centres sectors that are already driving competitive advantages in the region. Maharashtra currently accounts for 8.9 million MSMEs, of which over 6.5 million MSME’s have been formalized, with expectations to reach the 10 million mark within the next couple of years. With 30% of India's startups located in Mumbai, coupled with world-class infrastructure development, the city is uniquely positioned to capture these growth opportunities and attract quality investments," Mr. Anbalagan explained. Mr. Ashish Raheja, Chairman, Raheja Universal, drew attention to the paradox of developing infrastructure in a continuously growing city—likening it to performing complex surgery on a fully active patient without anaesthesia. "Despite these challenges, the last decade has witnessed incremental infrastructure improvements that have yielded exponential benefits for residents and businesses," he stated. Recognizing that Mumbai comprises 20 distinct micro-cities, Mr. Raheja emphasized the need for integrated clustering strategies to optimize resource allocation and urban cohesion. He also addressed the affordable housing challenge, noting that free-market economics alone cannot address the supply deficit. The solution lies in connectivity-driven development: targeted infrastructure investments that transform peripheral areas into aspirational destinations, thereby promoting sustainable urban growth and equitable development across the metropolitan region. Ms. Priya Pansare, Director, Trade and Investment Promotion, World Trade Centre, Mumbai while thanking the panellists for their insights on the critical role which Infrastructure and connectivity plays in strengthening growth said, “The push and the priority given to the infrastructure development is paying us dividends. With multi- modal transport integration, the costs of logistics have come to 10% level which is further estimated to fall. Mumbai, being the commercial and financial capital of the country, should have world class infrastructure not only within the city but also for catering to the vast import and export market. This panel discussion came at an important juncture when we are focusing on developing our Manufacturing sector to be 25% of the GDP. The views and insights shared by the distinguished panellists will surely help to shape the discourse on infrastructure in times ahead”. Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director, All India Association of Industries (AIAI), in her remarks stressed on the sustainable development of infrastructure. “Given India’s vast potential on renewable energy, we should target integrating green energy projects like Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia along with infra projects to sustain our commitment towards environment. The recent expansion of aqua line is a classic example of how Infrastructure development helps in dealing with environmental issues, as the metro will displace lakhs of cars running on road thereby offsetting carbon emissions”. The panel discussion held at the 10th Global Economic Summit was moderated by Mr. Varun Singh, Editor, SqaureFeat India. It underscored that Mumbai's infrastructure transformation requires sustained investment, coordinated governance, strategic connectivity initiatives, and alignment between public policy and private sector capabilities. As the city navigates rapid urbanization, these integrated approaches will determine its ability to achieve economic ambitions while ensuring quality of life and sustainability for its residents. Read More