EMI gears up for quality education
A D Pradeep Kumar
Today, international trade has gained in significance much more than any other time. It has therefore become vitally important for entrepreneurs and exim department personnel to have effective and continuous education and training on the various stages of international trade.The Exim Management Institute (EMI) in Mumbai has tailor-made courses for exim executives, managers and graduates wanting to enter international trade and entrepreneurs wishing to start an export-import business. Established in September 1994, the EMI is recognised by the Indian Merchant's Chamber (IMC) and currently conducts IMC's postgraduate diploma course in export-import management. Within a span of three years, the institute has imparted training to more than 1,200 participants and organised seven meets. The institute is managed by Sudhakar Kasture, exim consultant for last 17 years. He is assisted by experienced faculty members comprising well-qualified senior officers of various institutions and managers of exim trade. SaysKasture, "The economic reforms programme and the substantial reduction in tariffs have put the Indian exporter directly in competition with all the world renowned players. It is unfortunate that while other world players are well-educated and knowledgeable, India does not have strong facilities except for few institutes like IIFT in the field of education to meet the exacting requirements of international trade." He adds that in the absence of literate and skilled workforce, the Indian desire to increase exports could remain only a dream. Education, therefore, is of utmost importance and has reached a stage where it not only determines the competence and efficiency levels but also provides the very basis of survival in any industry. Apart from conducting the Exim diploma course under IMC, the institute is also conducting certificate courses on other related areas of international trade like central excise and customs, and an advance course on foreign exchange and finance. The advance course in foreign
exchange and finance is aimed at creating expertise to handle all matters related to foreign exchange and finance. With the expected capital account convertibility, education and training in this area has become vital. The institute is also planning to start a six-month course on international marketing soon. These courses are aimed at imparting education to the specified area of operation combined with practical implementation of various laws and regulations. Apart from these, the institute is also holding different seminars periodically on the subjects like foreign exchange, customs and central excise and UCPDC 500. The next seminar is due in February, which will be on on capital account convertibility and external commercial borrowings. This seminar is basically for executives and senior managers of the trade. In February, the institute is also planning to arrange a seminar-cum-workshop for chartered accountants, cost accountants and company secretaries in order to upodate them on various aspects of
foreign exchange transactions. Past and present students of the institute has set up an Exim Club supported by the faculty members of the institute. The club was launched in September 1996 at the hands of Dr Mridula Krishna, financial expert and former economics adviser to ministry of railways and ministry of law. The club conducts regular meetings on third Saturday of every month. The activity of the club also include setting up of study circles, visit to various national and international exhibitions and debates on various current topics. The club plans to publish a newsletter as well and intends to intensify its efforts for finding effective solutions to the problems faced by exporters and importers in the area of international trade. For the financial year 1998-99, the institute would be formulating annual programme for corporates to update company executives in the area of exim policy, customs, excise and foreign exchage. This programme will include 19 seminars to be conducted during year 1998-99.
For regular update, these seminars will be addressed by experts in their respective fields. The annual membership would be open to corporates and other exporters and importers. The institute is taking this unique step in order to provide "quality education" in an inexpensive manner.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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