Sir.Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya also known as Sir M.V is a noted Visionary and is one of the Builders of Indian Economy. He was known as a “capital mathematician & a very good English Scholar “who possessed the “higher character”. Upon graduating as an engineer, Sir M.V took up a job with the Public Works Department (PWD) of Bombay and was later invited to join the Indian Irrigation Commission. He was good at Research, Planning and Development. Sir M.V completed various projects on irrigation, water supply systems, and drainage systems.
Sir. M. Visvesvaraya had established the All India Manufacturers’ Organisation (AIMO) in 1941, with the objective of spurring industrial development. AIMO continuously initiated and organized several programmes and activities to achieve these objectives and in the process, set up Chapters all over the country. Research and Development (R&D) being the backbone of industrial growth, Dr. Visvesvaraya was keen on establishing an R&D facility for Indian industry and economy. Mumbai, as the financial and commercial capital of the country, seemed the obvious choice. The idea was vigorously pursued through AIMO with the government of the then Bombay State in the late 1950s, for suitable land for the project.
With the concept of WTC emerging strongly world over, the idea of incorporating it in India took root. A high level delegation from AIMO was formed to muster support from Minister for Industry, Mr.SK Wankhede .At its Annual General Meeting 1968, AIMO President, Mr YA Fazalbhoy, put forth the concept to Prime Minister Ms. Indira Gandhi, who was the Chief guest. It found immediate favour with her and from then on the project proceeded at a quick pace. Well known architect Mr. Phiroz Kudianwala was commissioned to develop the WTC plan overnight. AIMO Director General Mr.PL Badami and Financial Advisor to AIMO Industrial Foundation, Mr. D.R. Joshi, were nominated as the key persons to speed up the WTC proposal and present it to the government
as well as to business and industry. WTC Mumbai finally received the much needed impetus and Mr.Wankhede was nominated its first President.
In 1990, MVIRDC World Trade Center, Bombay, conducted a comprehensive study of biotechnology activities in the country and prepared a state-of-the-art paper on R&D and technology development in this field.
Mrs Rupa Naik, Executive Director of MVIRDC World Trade Center, Bombay was elected Director on the Board of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) in 1990. He was the first Indian to be elected to the Board of this international organization with its headquarters in New York.
Educational wing of MVIRDC organized a two-day workshop on ‘Export Action Plan’ in February 1991.
MVIRDC world trade center set up exhibition facilities at Centre I and in the Trade Centre Arcade in order to meet the demand for exhibition space. The Exhibition Centre of was opened for booking from November 1991.
In 1992, MVIRDC world trade center and the Maharashtra Industrial and Technical Organisation (MITCON), Pune took the initiative and lead in the creation of a computerized trade information service called Database on India’s Exports Imports (DIEI).
In 1993, MVIRDC world trade center, Bombay, launched a Network project to enable its members access their counterparts through a satellite telecommunication link with over 200 world trade centers in 60 countries. This would facilitate exporters and others seek partners overseas.
A one-day seminar on “Rural Development – Indian and International Perspective, Challenges for the 21st Century” – was organized in January 1993.
