International call for tenders for WTC

The government will be issuing an international call for tenders for the running and construction of a World Trade Centre, after the government had successfully applied for a licence from the World Trade Centres Association.

The site for development is rumoured to be close to the Hilton Hotel.

The Malta WTC, if developed, would serve to attract companies who view Malta as a hub for the North African and the Mediterranean regions.

The government appears to be interested in a WTC without the emphasis on hotel facilities and catering establishments.

Preliminary arrangement for a WTC in Malta appear to have been discussed after a visit held by Economics Services Minister Profs Josef Bonnici in the US.

The Maltese government views the establishment of a World Trade Centre in Malta as an additional and very important step in the promotion and development of Malta as a principal hub for trade in the Mediterranean region, exploiting existing infrastructure such as the Malta Freeport.

It also appears that China’s President Jiang Zemin has showed interest in a the establishment of a WTC in Malta.

The WTCA is non-political association dedicated to the establishment and effective operation of the World Trade Centres as instruments for international trade expansion.

The WTCA currently represents 323 members in 95 countries. The members are all involved in the operation of World Trade Centres or in the provision of related services assisting the promotion and expansion of international trade.

World Trade Centres vary significantly in terms of size, scale and range of the facilities that they offer. However, they are all geared towards providing crucial support services to international business such as temporary office accommodation, secretarial and translation services and corporate training, meeting and exhibition facilities.

The underlying strength of World Trade Centres is the close links that exist between them as a result of their membership in the WTCA. The WTCA umbrella provides international business with an effective network of contacts throughout the world.