The concept of a World Trade Center in Mumbai was born of a vision of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, on 26 June, 1970, epitomizing a strong conviction that India's future prosperity lay in trade, industrial research and development. He anticipated the need for India's industrial development through research and development in the fields of education, trade, investment and the economy as a whole, with the motto clearly being, "Prosperity through trade".

The WTC concept embraces every aspect of trade to facilitate its growth. The WTC envisioned the importance of exhibition and hence the Expo Center was constructed with a view to provide a world class centrally air-conditioned exhibition space at the Center of the city with a 360degree view of the Arabian Sea.

WTC Mumbai serves as a corollary to India's challenges in the areas of economy and trade, virtually growing beyond the ambit or scope of the government and trade promotion organizations. At the time, there was felt the need of a concept of World Trade Center at a global level which could create the necessary linkages in various sectors of the economy across countries of the world.

It was in the 1960s that the idea of WTC Mumbai emerged to create an effective vehicle for promotion of trade and investment of the country. Since then, it has continued to serve as an umbrella to all agencies connected with international trade as well as business knowhow and expertise, providing centralized services and facilities to promote trade. The idea of showcasing arts and crafts of more than seven leading states of the government through their emporia have all been housed in the Arcade.

Mumbai was conceived as the ideal choice to house such a center since it was the capital of the country for industry, trade, commerce and finance.

The World Trade Center addresses the key issues of International Development through educational programmes, research &publications, tenant facilities and an array of trade activities.

The promoters of WTC Mumbai developed the idea and concept of the Center in a unique tripartite partnership of state, government and the private sector. In due course WTC Mumbai was registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956 as a Section 25 not-for-profit company named M. Visvesvarya Industrial Research and Development Centre (MVIRDC). MVIRDC's prime objective was to conduct research and development and its ancillary objective is establishment of WTCs in India and abroad.

From there on WTC Mumbai continues to be a living testimony with a promise to excel and go beyond in every field and to take on the challenges of the future.