PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Good communication skills, business aptitude, knowledge of a foreign language, persuasive ability and confidence.

ENTRY

The field of foreign trade involves both the export and the import of finished products, raw materials etc. For entry into this profession, formal training is not a prerequisite but is being increasingly sought. There now exist various institutions in the country, which provide candidates a better insight into the field of trade.

Institutions

MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS 

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in New Delhi offers a two-year full-time course consisting of a curriculum related to general management in international business. It aims to inculcate a professional approach to tackle problems in international business operations. 

Admission to the programme is open to candidates with a Master's or equivalent degree in any discipline or a degree in any branch with at least 60 per cent marks in aggregate. Selection is done through an examination conducted on an all-India basis, which tests a candidate's knowledge of English, general awareness, analysis of a business situation and mathematical ability. Those who qualify in the written exam are then called for a group discussion and interview.

POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE 

The objective of this course is to upgrade the professional skills of working executives. This is a one-year course. Admission to this programme is open to candidates with a minimum of two years' work experience together with the basic eligibility criteria in terms of educational qualifications. 

The candidate should have a Master's or an equivalent degree in any discipline or a degree in arts, science, commerce or law with an aggregate of at least 55 per cent. The selection is done through a written test followed by group discussions and personal interviews. The test is conducted on an all-India basis.

CERTIFICATE COURSE IN EXPORT MARKETING

The certificate course in export marketing is a four-month part-time evening course that provides opportunities to working executives to update their knowledge and understanding of the international business scenario. It aims at providing knowledge in the modern techniques of export marketing. 

The programme is intended for working executives in private and public sector undertakings, service agencies and allied institutions connected with foreign trade. The candidates should have a university degree. Sponsored candidates get preference.

Apart from the basic courses the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade offers a large number of executive development programmes of varying durations each year.

THE DELHI SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE-DELHI UNIVERSITY

The Delhi School of Economics offers a one-year post-graduate diploma in international marketing.
Minimum qualifications required for admission are a degree or post-graduate degree in commerce, economics, engineering or management with a minimum aggregate of 55 per cent. The selection is done on the basis of a written exam and a personal interview.

PUNJAB UNIVERSITY, CHANDIGARH 

The institute offers a one-year post-graduate diploma in international trade to degree holders with a minimum aggregate of 55 per cent marks. Graduates with 50 per cent marks with two years work experience and associates of the Institute of Chartered Accountants or ICWAI are eligible.

GUJARAT UNIVERSITY, AHMEDABAD 

A six-month course in export business management is offered to degree holders.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS

Conducts a two-semester course in foreign trade. Candidates should be degree holders with adequate experience in the field.

THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF PACKAGING, BOMBAY

Offers a two-year post-graduate programme in packaging. Besides, the IIP organizes various training courses of three months duration. These courses are conducted at Bombay, Madras,
Calcutta and Delhi.

THE EXPORT INSPECTION COUNCIL

Has set up a full-fledged training center at Madras for providing training to the management cadre.
The Trade Development Authority, Small Industries Service Institute, Delhi, the Productivity Councils in several cities; Indian Institutes of Management at Lucknow, Calcutta, Ahmedabad and Bangalore; and Small Industry

Extension Training Institute, Hyderabad also offers various training courses in the field of international trade.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade offers a three-month certificate course on shipping and documentation for foreign trade managers. The course is for duration of three months. The objective of the course is to impart systematic knowledge in trade-related aspects of
international shipping and multimode transport. 

Executives (with at least a Bachelor's degree) of firms engaged in export-import trade, forwarding agencies, banks, insurance companies, commodity boards chambers of commerce, and government departments are eligible to apply.

There are a few private institutions such as Indian International Trade Center, Bombay; Institute of
Management and Studies, New Delhi; Indo-American Society, New Delhi who provide guidance and training in the area of export promotion.