The backdrop of Table Mountain viewed through the large glass windows on the pool deck, provided a metaphorical “window to the world”.  Echoing the World Trade Centre Cape Town’s focus and vision on bringing Africa to the world and the world to Africa and thereby increasing trade with Africa by 1 per cent as a result of this.A historic event this truly was for all who shared the evening, not only for CEO World Trade Centre Cape Town and CEO Mochron Investments – Julius Steyn - whose planning activities for this initiative commenced five years ago, but also for those involved in trading and investment in Africa – who understand what this represents for continent as a whole.

Through its membership of the World Trade Centres Association (WTCA) based in New York, it will provide the local business community with access to a global network of businesses in 334 cities in more than 100 countries with linkage to more than a million business leaders. This is a secure business network which is guaranteed to boost trade and investment with Africa.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Macfarlane Molefi – Co-Anchor of the breakfast show of SA’s eTV News – who introduced Julius Steyn as “the man who never sleeps” emphasising the monumental task which was achieved in reaching launch stage for the WTC in Cape Town.Steyn said that while the focus is on trade with the rest of the world and especially Africa, the initiative also holds great benefits for the region where the World Trade Centres are established.   This fact being solidified by four of the new license operators being present for the launch and highly motivated after a couple days of training at WTC Cape Town.  The new operators present were; Ms Hasina Chand Ferris (WTC President Gaborone & Maputo), Mr Sergio Muchengwa (WTC President Lusaka), Mr Bwezani Banda (WTC President Harare) and Mr Dirk Kotze (WTC President Dar Es Salaam.)

Mr Sebastian Kopulande, CEO of the Zambian International Trade & Investment Centre, said in his keynote address. “The launch of the World Trade Center, a private initiative by Mochron Investments, is in no uncertain terms, what the private sector can do in contributing to the growth of trade and investments on the African continent.”

Representing the WTCA based in New York, were Mr Kofi Boateng (Chief Operating Officer) and Mr Robert Frueh (Director of Member Services). Boateng inspired all with his speech and delighted guests with a unifying “war cry” entitled “We Are Marching into Africa.” The WTC Cape Town team were humbled and truly appreciative that Boateng and Frueh had travelled all the way from New York to support this initiative.

Support was also given by the Western Cape by means of a personal message from the Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, which was conveyed on her behalf by Julius Steyn: “We have bold ambitions to make the Western Cape the trade and tourism gateway for our country and our continent. And so we welcome any initiative that makes the Western Cape more internationally competitive.

Our top priority in this province is to stimulate economic growth and job creation, because we believe that this is the only sustainable way to beat poverty. The provincial government would like to wish the World Trade Centres in Africa all the best for a successful future here in Cape Town. We look forward to working with you.”

A heartfelt thank you to all those who have supported the initiative thus far and who attended the launch to officially commemorate this momentous occasion he said