World Trade Center Sarajevo is entering a key phase of development and implementation, with the strong support of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), one of the most influential global business networks.
WTCA brings together more than 300 business entities in almost 100 countries and territories and is the exclusive license holder for the “World Trade Center” and “WTC” trademarks. The organization’s mission is clear: connecting businesses, encouraging international trade and opening global markets to local economies.
Anaïs Jan, Head of Membership Development for Europe at WTCA, actively monitors the development of WTC Sarajevo and ensures its resilience in a changing economy. Her job includes supporting WTCA’s 77 European members from 29 countries in all stages of development, with coordination within the region and internationally.
– I am accompanying WTC Sarajevo during their journey, ensuring their resilience and helping them progress as they implement the World Trade Center vision – said Jan, emphasizing that membership in the network brings concrete benefits, including building international connections, developing sustainable projects and strengthening global credibility.
As he points out, Sarajevo has the potential to become a regional center of international trade and business connections, and the project opens the door to the global market for local economies and young entrepreneurs.
WTCA network and global advantages
Jan explains that the WTCA network in contemporary global economic flows is essential for connecting cities, companies and institutions around the world.
– In a world of constant uncertainty, the World Trade Center ecosystem provides a place of trust where individuals and businesses can find dedicated support, reliable partners and opportunities for growth beyond borders – he explains.
WTCA has been connecting members for more than fifty years, especially commercial real estate developers, economic development agencies and international companies that want to operate globally and thrive locally. As a global and apolitical organization, WTCA has survived changes in government and challenging environments, remaining strong and resilient, notes Jan.
He goes on to state that membership in the network also brings concrete benefits: reciprocity among members builds value, trust and functionality of the global ecosystem, and WTCA creates a unified global network, facilitates business services, drives economic opportunities and encourages active membership.
Jan points out the exclusive right to use the ‘World Trade Center’ brand, which symbolizes credibility, connection and prestige in international business, increases the visibility of members, strengthens the trust of partners and positions them as a gateway to global trade opportunities.
Events, conferences and member support
WTCA provides its members with year-round networking and professional development opportunities. Highlights include the WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF), which takes place on a different continent each year and brings together members, their partners and tenants, providing a great B2B networking opportunity. The upcoming GBF 2026 will be held in Philadelphia from April 19-22.
Every year in October, the WTCA Member Forum, an educational gathering with panels and interactive workshops, is held in New York, while regional conferences in Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and North America enable the presentation of local projects, the identification of business opportunities and the organization of trade missions. The European Conference 2026 will be in WTC Ballerup from August 26 to 28.
The WTCA Day, proclaimed on June 12, 2002 by the mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, and later recognized by the United Nations, has a special significance, as a day dedicated to the role of the WTCA in the promotion of trade, economic development and peace. Throughout the year, members have access to events organized by other WTC entities around the world, live or virtually, for free or at reduced prices.
Member Advisory Councils (MAC) and Regional Advisory Councils (RAC) have been established to focus on the specific needs of individual regions and sectors, including business clubs, conferences and trade shows, real estate and trade services.
Local development and cooperation in BiH
The public in Bosnia and Herzegovina is very positive about WTC Sarajevo, and Jan points out that the local team has put in a lot of work to get the project to this stage. – I watched them deal with the complexities of the past years with great dedication. Now is the time for the vision of WTC Sarajevo to become a reality. We are moving towards a period of positive renewal and leaving the pandemic years behind us – she says.
Jan explains that the WTC Sarajevo project enables young entrepreneurs, especially generation Z, to access the global market and contributes to Bosnia and Herzegovina becoming a growing business center in the region. He believes that the World Trade Center project is only as strong as its local roots.
– I noticed that the most successful WTC business entities are those that act as a link between the private sector, the government and the community. When these actors move in the same direction, a stable environment is created that gives international investors and trade partners the confidence to get involved in Bosnia and Herzegovina – she underlined.
Speaking about the importance of international support for the development of WTC Sarajevo, Jan pointed out that support, especially from the Embassy of the United States of America, is a strong catalyst for the project. – It strengthens the work that we at WTCA do to ensure the resilience of our members. This support gives the project an additional layer of stability, which is crucial for attracting long-term international trade partners to Bosnia and Herzegovina – she explained.
Jan adds that the road to WTC Sarajevo is already underway, and as full implementation approaches, the focus will be on establishing a center of economic activity.
– From the economic aspect, WTC Sarajevo provides a platform for placing Bosnian products on global markets. From the social aspect, it encourages the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, confirming that Sarajevo is a destination where global business and local talent meet – she emphasized.
A special advantage of WTC Sarajevo is its direct connection with the University of Sarajevo Campus, which is a rare and unique model within the WTCA network. Jan explains that the synergy between the business world and the academic community is the basis of sustainable economic growth.
– Within our global network, we see several successful models where licenses are directly owned by universities, such as WTC Arkansas in the USA or WTC Monterrey in Mexico, which builds a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This ensures that the WTC business remains resilient and at the forefront of new technologies and research. It also creates a ‘living laboratory’ where students, researchers and CEOs collaborate – explains Jan.
This model shows how WTC Sarajevo can become a center of innovation and entrepreneurship, connecting local talent with global business opportunities.
