WTC to boost Guiyang's economic development

Guiyang hopes to further open up to the world and develop its economy by becoming the latest member of the World Trade Centers Association, its mayor said on Wednesday.

At a ceremony celebrating the start of the construction of the Guiyang World Trade Center, Chen Gang, mayor of Guizhou's provincial capital, said:"Due to historic and geographical reasons, Guizhou has suffered from lack of transportation access and opening up to the outside world.

"With the help of WTCA's global network, we will be able to establish connections with other members which will help Guiyang to open up."

Chen said the complex will help promote the development of the city's modern services industry, especially financial services, and promote the quality and sustainability of its real estate industry.

The WTCA, founded in 1970 in New York, is a non-profit organization that aims to grow international trade and investment through the establishment and effective operation of World Trade Centers.

Ghazi Abu Nahl, chairman of the WTCA, said: "We believe the development of the World Trade Center in Guiyang will be a very prestigious landmark and we hope that it will add value both to Guiyang and to the WTCA."

Construction of the WTC is in its initial stages but the complex will have a capacity of 600,000 square meters, including a 380-meter-high office and hotel tower.

The World Trade Center in Guiyang will be the first in Guizhou province and the 45th in China.