Mumbai, August 1, 2016: On his maiden visit to India since taking over the reins of World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), Mr Scott Ferguson, the new CEO of WTCA stated that India is now setting tone of for world economic growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“India is moving ahead in a measured way with definite policies and plans rather than populist approach that often fails on delivery,” stated Mr Ferguson. There are 332 WTCs across 89 countries in the world today.

Mr Ferguson is on two day visit to Mumbai and was addressing the board members of the World Trade Center Mumbai today. “The world today needs strong leadership as there are confusing signals around. It is nice to see India growing and the measured approach taken by PM Modi in growth as well as his messaging. And the Indian economy is backing him on what he is trying to do,” added Mr. Ferguson. Mr. Y. R. Warerkar, Executive Director, WTC Mumbai, Mr Scott Wang, Vice Chairman, Asia Pacific, WTCA, New York, Mr. Kamal Morarka, Chairman, WTC Mumbai, Mr Scott Ferguson, CEO, WTCA New York, Mr Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, WTC Jaipur, Mr. Sharad Upasani, Chairman, WTC Goa and Capt. Somesh Batra, Chairman, WTC Bhubaneshwar Praising the Indian government’s projects like Make in India, Start up India, Ferguson said that WTC network can have a role to play in this. “Governments across the world are trying to capture the flourishing start up community and I believe WTCs have a role in this initiative as we have a huge network and connect. I believe the WTC Mumbai has many programs in this segment, which the start- ups will take advantage of,” he added. Commenting on Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, Ferguson said he was disappointed with the referendum outcome. “The lesson learnt is that global business and politics cannot be controlled,” he remarked. “We have lots of members in Europe; they will have to find ways to change their approach and businesses,” Ferguson further explained. With 26 WTCs and more inquiries coming, the WTCA is considering India as a growing market and in this visit Ferguson is meeting all members to understand the functioning and programmes. From Mumbai, he travels to Bangalore and then to Delhi. Earlier Mr Scott Wang, Vice-President, Asia Pacific, WTCA said that India is the fastest growing market for World Trade Centers as the number of WTCs in India have risen from a mere 5 in 2011 to 26 in 2016. “There is change in FDI facilitation in India now; the Make in India campaign has had a huge impact. It is time that WTC Mumbai leverages its service capacities that will make the other WTCs in India grow.” Mr. Kamal Morarka, Chairman World Trade Center Mumbai has all praise for the newly appointed CEO of WTCA, New York, Mr. Scott Ferguson. Mr. Morarka expressed confidence under the leadership of Mr. Ferguson “with his rich experience and dynamism WTCA will expand its network and lead to a newer heights. A well defined framework will benefit the members largely building effective organizational goals with economic realities”. Mr. Morarka stressed that India is growing at a fast pace and the WTCA Network in India is also expanding rapidly. The WTCA should promote and project India as a land of opportunities both for Investment and Trade”. Calling Mr Ferguson an experienced hand in running WTCA, Mr Vijay Kalantri, Vice-Chairman, WTC Mumbai informed that WTC Mumbai is playing a leadership role among the 20 WTCs in India. “We have now agreed to meet once in three months and work together. I feel as one of the oldest WTCs in the world, WTC Mumbai can play a bigger role in the membership seminars, we receive around 60 trade missions annually and our experience can be shared,” said Mr Kalantri. MVIRDC WTC Mumbai is also the promoter of WTCs in Goa, Bhubaneshwar and Jaipur. Mr Sharad Upasani, Chairman, WTC Goa and Capt. Somesh Batra, Chairman, WTC Bhubaneshwar also interacted with Ferguson. “As fastest growing economy in the world, it would be great if India gets bigger role in the WTCA General Assembly,” suggest Capt Batra.