'Innovate, Collaborate, Thrive': Minister Piyush Goyal Urges IIFT Graduates to Fuel India's $2 Trillion Trade Goal

New Delhi: Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) graduates were urged by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday to leverage new trade agreements as avenues for creating fresh business opportunities and accessing new markets.

Addressing the 57th IIFT Convocation virtually, Mr. Goyal emphasized the importance of staying informed about emerging trade trends and adopting a forward-thinking mindset in sectors like telecommunication, semiconductors, deep-sea exploration, and space technology. He emphasized that India's ambitious target of $2 trillion in trade hinges on these fields.

The Minister stressed the need for socially responsible professionals, highlighting the significance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles in today's organizations. He advised young graduates to chart their paths through innovation, particularly by engaging with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

Mr. Goyal expressed appreciation for IIFT's excellence in academic programs, including its flagship MBA (International Business), MA (Economics) with specialisation in International Trade and Finance, Ph.D. in Management and Economics, and Executive Programs.

Chancellor Sunil Barthwal commended the graduating students for their determination and hard work, emphasizing the importance of applying IIFT's learnings from international trade to professional careers.

Barthwal highlighted IIFT's research and consulting achievements, its top ranking as one of India's best Business Schools in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), and the establishment of a new Centre for International Negotiations. He also discussed future initiatives, including the establishment of an IIFT Case Centre to enhance students' learning experience through high-quality business cases.

The Chief Guest, Managing Director of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd, Dr. Jayen Mehta, highlighted Indian companies' success in reaching new global markets and underscored the importance of international business expertise for IIFT graduates as they contribute to India's expanding global footprint.

IIFT's convocation comes at a time when the country is poised to cross $2 trillion in trade, providing immense opportunities for skilled professionals to make their mark in the world.