MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai Marks 56th Foundation Day, Reaffirms Support for MSMEs and Global Trade

MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai commemorated its 56th Foundation Day with a renewed commitment to supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), expanding international trade, strengthening investment partnerships and carrying forward the vision of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya.

Addressing the occasion, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said:

“As we celebrate 56 years of MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai, we remember with gratitude the vision of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, who believed that industry, research, enterprise and trade are essential pillars of national progress. Established in 1970 to realise his vision, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai has evolved into a premier institution for trade promotion, industrial development, economic cooperation and global business engagement.”

Dr. Kalantri also highlighted the historical significance of the institution, stating:

“The land for the Centre was allocated by Shri Morarji Desai, the then Chief Minister of Bombay State, who later inaugurated the Centre as the Prime Minister of India. The Centre reflects the spirit of modern infrastructure, industrial research and planned development envisioned by Sir M. Visvesvaraya. It also holds a special place in Mumbai’s architectural and commercial history, being recognised as the city’s first twin-tower complex, one of its earliest high-rise commercial landmarks, and among the first shopping centres in Mumbai to introduce an escalator. We are also grateful to the Government of India for recognising Sir Visvesvaraya’s immense contribution to nation-building by celebrating his birth anniversary as Engineers’ Day, a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy as one of India’s greatest engineers, innovators and visionaries.”

Emphasising the importance of MSMEs, Dr. Kalantri said:

“MSMEs are the backbone of India’s economy and play a vital role in building resilient supply chains, generating employment and expanding exports. On this important milestone, WTC Mumbai pledges to further strengthen its support to MSMEs through trade promotion, capacity building, export guidance, market access, digital skilling, international networking and policy advocacy.”

WTC Mumbai was the first World Trade Center in India to become part of the global World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) network. Today, the WTCA network connects more than 300 World Trade Centers across nearly 90 countries, representing over one million businesses.

Operating under the mission of “Prosperity through Trade and Investment,” WTC Mumbai has continued to support India's trade, investment and integration with global markets through various initiatives and international collaborations.

The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to carrying forward the legacy of Sir M. Visvesvaraya by aligning its activities with national initiatives, including Make in India, Digital India, Ease of Doing Business, export promotion, MSME growth, innovation and Viksit Bharat, while continuing to serve as a bridge between Indian enterprises and global markets.