NEW DELHI: The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), which has exclusive rights to license its ‘World Trade Center’ and ‘WTC’ brands to real estate developers, businesses and communities, expects to set up such properties in Jammu & Kashmir and northeast India.The association said India is set to overtake China in the number of WTC properties India has 32 WTCs while China has 40, but considering the scope of expansion, it is very possible that India will overtake China soon, according to Scott Wang, vice president, Asia Pacific, at WTCA. Despite the slowdown in India, there is demand and the country’s growth rate is already better than China’s over the past few years, he said.There are 332 WTCs across 89 countries at present. A WTC is usually a mixed-use development that offers commercial, residential, hospital, school and retail properties in one large complex. The organisation plans to expand in India’s northeast and is contemplating Jammu & Kashmir as an option.“Many state capitals don’t have WTCs and then we have smart cities. So, going forward, India is going to be the leader in WTC. We are also exploring northeast and Jammu & Kashmir,” said Khair Ull Nissa, executive director at WTC Noida , who is also a board member of WTCA.“If you look at the whole economy, at the moment, it’s a little bit of a downturn, but long term we are very, very positive on India. India is going to be even a bigger market as we move forward. And at the same time, we see some of the lagging of infrastructure that needs to be addressed,” said Wang.Wang was in India to review WTC projects in the country. WTCA plans to establish World Trade Center Chandigarh as a nodal point for trade and business services. The project is being executed by Viridian Group, which has the licence to develop 13 WTCs.The US has the highest number of WTCs with 47, but the association said the US is a more stabilised market while India, like any other developing country, is a young market and is facility driven.“So in the demand side, we think that India is still a market where we see high demand for WTC projects,” Wang said.WTCA started its journey in India with WTC Mumbai in 1970 and is growing year on year with the addition of members, including WTC Pune, WTC Bengaluru, WTC Chennai, WTC Kolkata, WTC Noida, WTC Chandigarh and WTC Manesar. Many of these projects are in the planning and approval stage.WTC Chandigarh is set to catalyse the Indian farming market, which is expected to double up by 2024. The WTCA agricultural committee, in association with agro-industry bodies, intends to set up a value-based agro market in the Tricity area of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali.“The construction of the physical facility at WTC Chandigarh is in full swing and would be completed within the stipulated timeline. We are hopeful to welcome business delegations in WTC Chandigarh by 2021,” said Arun Kotwal, head of WTC Chandigarh.