Title: Union Commerce Minister Urges New IIFT Grads to Tap into Emerging Trade Opportunities
New Delhi, Monday - Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has exhorted graduates of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) to stay informed about new trade agreements and leverage these as avenues to create fresh business opportunities and access new markets.
Addressing the 57th IIFT Convocation virtually, Goyal emphasized the significance of a 'Viksit Bharat' goal, aiming for $2 trillion in trade. He highlighted areas such as telecom, semiconductors, deep-sea exploration, and space technology, urging graduates to contribute to these sectors with forward-thinking attitudes.
The minister also stressed the importance of embracing roles as socially responsible professionals by adopting ethical business practices, aligning with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles.
Further, Goyal advised the young graduates to create their paths to success through innovation, particularly by engaging with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
During the convocation ceremony, where over 650 students from various programmes received degrees, Chancellor Sunil Barthwal commended the graduating students for their determination and hard work. He highlighted IIFT's achievements in research and consulting, including its substantial expertise in analyzing international business environments.
Barthwal also congratulated IIFT on achieving a stellar performance in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), ranking among India’s top 15 business schools. Reflecting on the need for skilled professionals in international trade, he shared details about the newly established Centre for International Negotiations at IIFT that will provide a platform for students and corporate negotiators to learn from each other's expertise.
In the presence of Chief Guest Managing Director of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Amul), Dr. Jayen Mehta, who underscored how international business expertise could position graduates as key players in India’s expanding global footprint, Barthwal discussed future initiatives, including the establishment of an IIFT Case Centre to enhance learning experiences.
Dr. Mehta highlighted Amul's successes in reaching new global markets and emphasized how Indian companies are strengthening their presence on the world stage, providing opportunities for talented professionals in trade and commerce.