Over the years an extensive export promotion system has evolved, with the setting up of various export promotion bodies and export service institutions. India's exports over the last couple of years have grown by more than 20 per cent while the rate of increase of imports has actually decreased.

This has opened up vast and challenging employment opportunities in the area of foreign trade, a specialised function for the handling of exports and imports. Today it has become one of the key elements in the country's development efforts for expanding trade relations with other countries.Work: Professionals in this field can work in buying houses, export units, the international business division of various multinational companies, or inchannelling agencies such as the State Trading Corporation (STC) and the Metals & Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC).

The work of personnel in the export and import industry involves a range of functions. Production, invoicing, packing, transport and shipping, marketing and documentation are some of the various tasks that are involved.

An export manager in an export unit or multinational company normally handles the various aspects of exports with different agencies and is responsible for matters relating to exports, incentives, drawbacks, credits etc. for the company. Executives in the export department need to deal with buyers/agents in local and international markets, and should be aware of documentation and procedures regarding cash compensatory support, advance licence etc.

Foreign trade personnel working in export houses are also responsible for purchasing the raw material for manufacturing a product, and for selecting exportable merchandise for exports. A large number of manufacturers exportproducts so as to fulfil the minimum export requirement in order to import certain goods or raw materials that they require.

The channelising agencies for foreign trade like STC enrol exporters as their business associates. These associates are in contractual agreement to supply goods. In order to minimise expenses and overcome problems of language, government rules and regulations, companies appoint sales agents on the basis of commission. These agents help exporters to constantly assess the market. They also provide consultancy services. They give advice on appropriate methods and strategies for selling their products in the concerned territories.

Another function is that of inspectors who can work independently or with an organisation and are responsible for the quality control of the product to be exported. They check the samples of raw materials and the quality of the finished product. The inspector has to ensure that the product quality meets international standards. The services of an inspector arealso required by those who import products. The inspector in this case has to ensure that the goods that have been imported are of the stipulated quality.

Entry: As the field of foreign trade becomes more professional, formal training though not a pre-requisite, is being increasingly sought. There now exist various institutions in the country which provide candidates a better insight into the field of trade.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi offers a two-year full-time course consisting of a curriculum related to general management in international business. Admission to the programme is open to candidates with a masters 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 the written examination arethen called for a group discussion and interview.The institute also offers a post-graduate diploma in foreign trade to upgrade the professional skills of working executives. This is a one-year course open to candidates with a minimum of two years work experience and a masters or an equivalent degree in any discipline or a degree in arts, science, commerce or law.

Apart from the basic courses, the institute offers short-term certificate courses in export marketing, and a number of executive development programmes for working executives to update their knowledge and understanding of the international business scenario.

The Delhi school of Economics, Delhi University, also 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. The selection is done on the basis of a written examination and a personal interview.

Other institutions offering courses inforeign/international trade include Punjab University, Chandigarh, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, and University of Madras, the Trade Development Authority, Small Industries Service Institute, Delhi, the Productivity Councils in several cities, Indian Institute of Management at Lucknow, Calcutta, Ahmedabad and Bangalore, and Small Industry Extension Training Institute, Hyderabad also offer various training courses in the field of international trade.

An allied discipline, that of packaging is offered by the Indian Institute of Packaging in Mumbai and Delhi which offers a two-year post-graduate programme in packaging.

Career prospects: With the tremendous expansion in India's trade and the increasing focus on exports to stabilise the country's foreign debts, the opportunities are growing in export companies, multinational companies and industrial units involved in export and import of goods. A large number of people after some years of experience also open export houses on their own.Those who wantto work in the government sector would find opportunities in STC and MMTC.

There is also a demand abroad for specialists in this field, particularly in South East Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The writer is the author of Penguin India Career Guide, Vol I & II. She is also a newsreader on Doordarshan and producer of Hum Honge Kamyaab