PRESS RELEASE May 22, 2002
91 COUNTRIES TO CELEBRATE
1st ANNUAL WORLD TRADE CENTERS ASSOCIATION DAY

WORLD TRADE CENTERS ACROSS THE GLOBE REAFFIRM MISSION
OF PEACE AND STABILITY THROUGH TRADE ON JUNE 12
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lloyd Kaplan/ Dina Improta Linden Alschuler & Kaplan,
212-575-4545


"On June 12, World Trade Centers around the world will demonstrate their
unity in the wake of September 11th and reaffirm their commitment to our
mission, of promoting peace and stability through trade," said Guy F.
Tozzoli, President of the World Trade Centers Association. "WTCA Day is
a day where regions of the world can embrace their unique cultures while
celebrating and creating opportunities for trade without borders. This
day launches a series of cultural and ethnic celebrations for the
initial annual celebration of 300 Centers in 91 countries on six
continents."

The World Trade Center (WTC) Sao Paolo will wrap a huge white ribbon
around its headquarters; World Trade Centers in Macau and Trieste will
unveil official WTC postage stamps; the Governor of Mississippi will
declare June 12 World Trade Centers Association Day in his state, noting
that it's home to the newest World Trade Center in North America. Major
events are also planned at World Trade Centers in Dresden, Germany; New
Orleans, Louisiana; Bucharest, Romania; Cairo, Egypt; Paris, France;
Hong Kong, China; Belgrade, Yugoslavia; Taipei, Taiwan; Los Angeles,
California; Bogota, Columbia; Tallinn, Estonia; Orlando, Florida and more.

On September 11th, 2001 the Headquarters of the WTCA was located on the
77th floor of the North Tower of the New York WTC. WTCA staff were able
to evacuate with some suffering injury. Herbert Ouida, Executive Vice
President of the WTCA, lost his son Todd, who was at work for Cantor
Fitzgerald on the 105th floor, on that terrible day.

After the complete destruction of their offices, the WTCA received an
outpouring of support from members throughout the world. New offices
have been established at 60 E. 42nd Street. The WTCA and its members
are more determined than ever to answer this evil by continuing to
foster trade as the vehicle for economic development and peace. The WTCA
believes the best answer to the intolerance and hatred of the attackers
is to help create a world where all cultures are respected and diversity
is celebrated. WTCA headquarters will feature an international seminar,
including a lecture by Ousama Ghannoum, executive director of the WTC in
Abu Dhabi (UAE) on the start-up process for developing a World Trade Center.

For more than 30 years the WTCA has acted through a variety of
initiatives to advance its mission. It has helped lesser-developed
economies to reap the benefits of trade advocating the use of technology
to help them "leapfrog" into the international trading community. The
WTCA encourages understanding and respect for cultural diversity through
example as well as educational programs, promoting free trade in a world
that has become a global community and providing reciprocal programs in
recognition of our global interdependence. The WTCA and its president,
Mr. Guy F. Tozzoli, have been nominated for six consecutive years for
the Nobel Peace prize in recognition of their work in bringing people
together through their "One World" philosophy.

The vitality of the WTCA was also evident at the non-profit
organization's Spring Meeting, held in April in Sofia, Bulgaria, where
six new members were announced including new World Trade Centers planned
for the following cities: Barcelona, Spain; Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania;
Dhaka, Bangladesh; Harrisburg, PA; Suwon, South Korea; and Zaragoza, Spain.

World capitals play host to World Trade Centers with such facilities as
the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Centre in Washington,
D.C., the Korea Traders Association in Seoul, the China Council for the
Promotion of International Trade in Beijing, the Russian Chamber of
Commerce in Moscow and the Paris Chamber of Commerce. Landmarks of
global commerce, many World Trade Centers own world class office towers,
hotels and convention centers focused on enhancing commercial and
economic development opportunities and coordinating the delivery of
international trade services in their communities. Tenants include
multinational corporations, consulates, global financial corporations
and trade promotion organizations among others

In addition to hosting a variety of events on June 12, each
participating WTCA member will also nominate a person or organization
that best represents the group's mission of "Stability through Trade "
to be added to the official WTCA Book of Honor.



About the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA):

The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is the world's leading
international trade organization. It is a dynamic and growing
not-for-profit, non-political organization comprised of more than 300
members servicing 750,000 businesses in nearly 100 countries. Founded in
1970 and headquartered in New York City, its mission is to support the
establishment and successful operation of individual World Trade Centers
as part of an extensive worldwide network to enhance trade, promote
economic development, and foster peace. World Trade Centers stimulate
their regional economies through trade and business leads, research
information, online and e-commerce services, accredited trade education
programs, and the power of reciprocity through the extensive WTCA network.

Please visit the WTCA web site, www.wtca.org, for more information.