SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - The Savannah Economic Development Authority has been was awarded a license to become a World Trade Center.

Savannah is now one of more than 330 such centers in nearly 100 countries, all working to help businesses conduct profitable international trade.

The license was granted on Sunday at the World Trade Centers Association's annual meeting in Brazil.

The Savannah Morning News reports (http://bit.ly/oikdD4) that WTC Savannah will focus initially on providing trade services and attracting foreign direct investment.

Trade services will include training, research, business matching and the coordination or hosting of international trade missions.

Development authority vice president Brynn Grant says the trade organization will have an independent board.