Press Release No.     28                         5 July 2009


IIFT is to organize Executive Development Programme on International Business (5-16 July 2009)


The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is organizing a two weeks training programme on International business at Fairs Ground, Nasr City,Cairo, from 5th to 16th  July 2009 with the support of the Egyptian Foreign Trade Training Centre, (FTTC) Cairo. H. E. Dr. Samiha Fawzy, will inaugurate the programme in presence of H. E. Mr. R. Swaminathan, Ambassador of India to Egypt.

This capacity building programme is a follow-up to the decisions taken at the India-Africa Forum Summit at New Delhi on April 8 & 9, 2008, which laid a strong emphasis on providing technical assistance and capacity-building in trade negotiations, dispute settlement and implementation of different agreements under WTO, as well as in enhancing competitiveness in the world economy. At this Summit in which H.E. Fayza Mohamed Abul Naga,  Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation, represented President Hosni Mubarak, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced a series of new initiatives to strengthen the partnership between India and Africa. The foremost among them is a “duty-free tariff preference scheme” for the 34 Least Developed Countries in Africa. Over the next five to six years India will also undertake in Africa, on a grant basis, projects in critical areas such as higher and vocational education, science, IT, agriculture and renewable energy. A sum of US$500 million has been allocated for this. Government of India’s Pan-African e-Network Project is another shining example of the India-Africa partnership. Under this project, India has provided a dedicated satellite link for e-connectivity to help bridge the digital divide in Africa. The Pan-African e-network demonstrates India’s commitment to share our progress in the knowledge-sector and help bridge the digital divide in Africa. Already, 29 countries including Egypt have joined this programme.

The Cairo training programme aims at developing skills and professional competence among the 24 Egyptian participants and to equip them with knowledge and skills in international trade and business. The training programme would also enhance their awareness on international business environment and help them develop international marketing strategies. Managing the supply chain and trade logistics which is crucial to compete effectively in international markets would also be dealt in detail. It would also help the participants in developing an understanding about export-import procedures and the documentation work involved. The programme also covers the important area of trade financing and foreign exchange management in international trade.The training module is designed by the IIFT in consultation with and active support of the Egyptian Foreign Trade Training Centre and Embassy of India, Cairo. Similar programmes are envisaged in Botswana and Namibia in the near future.

IIFT has been entrusted with the task of conducting customised Capacity Building Programmes on international business, over a period of five years in various countries in Africa, with a budget of Indian Rupees 10 crores.

IIFT is one of the world’s leading B-school in the area of international business, set up by Government of India in 1963. IIFT is involved in conducting management development programmes, research and education in the area of international business and conducts capacity-building programmes on several issues related to international business such as international marketing, export procedures documentation, supply chain management, port management and logistics, WTO issues and their implications, foreign exchange management, trade finance, global e-business for the participants from India and several other countries.  

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