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Diplomats and local executives gathered on Sept. 28 in Rockville, MD to hear about Maryland’s Port of Baltimore and other concerns related to international business. The event put on by the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI), the State of Maryland, Montgomery County and the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, brought together attendees representing 60 nations.

The WTCI is a non-profit organization that aims at improving international trade and economic development.

To endorse foreign investment, Helen Delich, the port’s namesake and chairwoman of the Port of Baltimore Tricentennial Committee, also made an appearance. As she remarked on the growing importance of the maritime chain, she admitted that shipping remains a mystery to the public, who only hear about ground or air transportation.

“The world is increasingly under the mercy of the maritime chain, but it isn’t high on the national agenda because it works out of sight of the public eye,” Delich said. “But you have to realize that more than 45 miles of prime waterfront property is theirs.”

She said she would like more people to make use of the port, which would encourage trade.

Montgomery County’s own business leader, J.W. Marriott, Jr., also commented on global relations. As chairman and CEO of Marriott International, he directed attention to increasing foreign investment by way of the reliability of area businesses like his own.

After the speeches, more than 150 diplomats and other embassy representatives highlighted their countries’ specialties in trade booths and presentations. Asian countries, such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Myanmar and Taiwan boasted of their newest products offered for international trade.

Frank Liu, deputy director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office said computer technology is their country’s current area of expertise. At the event, Liu met with various representatives from different countries. He said he hopes to continue to foster relations in the future.

“I met with many people from different embassies, and we hope to e-mail one another to stay connected,” Liu said. “I want to learn more about these countries and to discuss trade issues, tourism and the business market.”