There is strength in numbers, and great benefits to be had with purpose-driven networking. Roderick Galea, General Manager at Conexus, epitomizes those values as licence-holder for the World Trade Center (WTC) Monaco and Luxembourg, with main operations in The Netherlands, Monaco, Luxembourg, and now also an office in Malta.

“All businesses can get value from membership in the WTC Monaco Luxembourg," explains Mr Galea, as he lists the business contacts, the export and import opportunities, and the potential and enhanced partnerships with other ventures one stands to obtain. He also mentions the endless availabilities to participate in trade fairs and group trade missions in the places that matter. All the while hinting at the promotions to member companies done by the international association itself, which serves as a multiplier to gain traction in the economic sector of choice.

Mr Galea fully understands the requirements of a business undertaking, being himself a manager of several companies, very much focused on bringing results. This is also thanks to an emphasis on collaboration and harnessing the utility of networking.

Divulging details on one local success story, Mr Galea explains that through the WTC that he runs, a food and beverage company found another distributor outside Malta. This enabled it to enlarge its export operations while also establishing other sources for import purposes. All of this has in turn increasingly generated more opportunities. “To top it off,” continues Mr Galea, “the company was also assisted with participation in one of the largest food fairs in the world, leading this Malta-based enterprise to gain access to more industry players in its sector.”

There is also an element of recognition that affiliation with the World Trade Center gives you. As anyone in the know can tell, this is especially useful when it comes to establishing relationships with partners abroad. Holding a great reputation and a well-recognised name, Mr Galea highlights that the Association’s global network is particularly well established, having over 300 active licenses in 100 countries worldwide. He also notes that Chambers of Commerce in foreign jurisdictions also use the WTCA as one of their recognised networks, extending the reach even further to a myriad of commercial setups available to explore.

Leveraging contacts is the way to make it work, and Mr Galea is in full swing as he reveals that a “very business-minded” online platform is soon on the way. With more interactive and widespread promotion of businesses, the platform is also intended to provide for the possibility to showcase and sell products, with exclusive features for members of the WTC Monaco and Luxembourg.

Oriented to serve both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) capabilities, the platform is set to be linked to social media channels – definitely a favoured approach for all potential contacts and clients on the go. This platform is a much-anticipated addition to the array of useful options that the WTC Monaco and Luxembourg licence-holder has set up to assist businesses and further facilitate their growth.

With such a wide range of economic sectors encompassed by the companies forming part of the WTCA, all across the globe, it is almost superfluous to speak of specific business profiles. What is certain, however, is that membership opens doors, with Mr Galea underlining the ability to “match-make with the right business for you”. The mindset says it all, as Roderick Galea’s own company actively pursues linking up the connections to make them work successfully for all stakeholders involved. That concept of match-making is not lost as Mr Galea underscores his focus, translating into a sense of specifically selected openings.

And this “whole network of opportunities that open up,” as Mr Galea aptly puts it, also makes one’s business more agile, especially in a scenario where developments are constantly evolving. With such a huge network, new partnerships can be established and nurtured, making way for better prospects and safeguarding against adverse situations.

So how does a commercial enterprise get onboarded into the Association? This is made very simple thanks to an accessible approach adopted by WTC Monaco and Luxembourg, with registration available through the WTCA website: https://www.wtc.earth. Mr Galea goes as far as saying that he’s a phone-call or email away, facilitating the whole process with personal attention.

Making membership that much more reachable, packages are three-tiered: bronze, silver, and gold; providing different access to facilities as well as preferential discounts and cash-back incentives. Starting from €1,000 annually, one can immediately see the appeal even for start-ups, with the possibility to cater for more enhanced arrangements. Focusing on the “tailor-made solutions for members,” the General Manager underlines the advantages of being part of the WTCA as a network and a platform for thriving businesses.

Not one to hold back from identifying more initiatives, Mr Galea reveals that business-to-business meetings are being organised in the near future, specifically for local companies. These sound like occasions not to let pass by, especially if on the look-out for more fruitful business prospects. VIP B2B meetings for gold members are also on the agenda, and discussing the details further with the WTC Monaco and Luxembourg licence-holder may be particularly enlightening.

International trade and business networking are set to continue presenting an exciting challenge. Mr Galea’s focus on strengthening the networks in Malta by bringing in foreign players with good connections, presents itself as a great opportunity to a forward-looking business community. It also offers an efficient vehicle for businesses looking to expand beyond Malta’s shores.

WTC Monaco and Luxembourg, readily available for Malta-based businesses, may be considered not only as network and a platform but perhaps more so as “a vibrant business club” with an international dimension, one that is very much accessible and from which more is to be expected in the future.