NIOE launches market relevant professional qualifications for export industry

Exports play an important role for a developing country such as Sri Lanka in providing a healthy balance and a sustainable development with trade and foreign exchange reserves to maintain the country’s export growth and influencing the level of economic growth, employment and the balance of payments. 

With the aim of assisting the country to further enhance an export led growth strategy as a tool for economic development, The National Institute of Exports, (NIOE) has taken the initiative to nurture and produce the right talent in the market by launching a series of professional qualifications specifically geared for the export industry. 

The qualifications are targeted for those who wish to consider the export industry as a career of choice and also for those currently working in the export industry and want to improve their knowledge of key areas and aspects related to the industry. 

The qualifications comprise of the Certificate Level (Certificate in International Trade Management – CITM), Advance Certificate Level (Advance Certificate in International Trade Management – ACITM) and Diploma Level (Diploma in International Trade Management – DITM). 

The subjects covers the important areas related to exports such as international marketing, customs compliance, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Free Trade Agreements (FTA) rules, non-tariff barriers to international trade, new payment terms, laws relating to export and imports, logistics, insurance, and trade management .

The syllabus has been drafted by the NIOE Board of Study that comprises of a team of experts from leading organisations affiliated with and also operating in the export industry and international trade. The lecturer panel includes eminent personalities from the industry. Additional arrangements have also been made to include sessions with foreign experts from global organisations.

The Sri Lanka Foundation (SLF) will provide the venue and the facilities for conducting classes which will be held on weekends with the first batch commencing from 7 June. Enrolments are currently open and more information can be obtained by logging on to www.nioe.lk. 

The benefits that can be gained through the qualifications were explained by NIOE Chairman Dr. Jagath Peiris who said, “We undertook a study that revealed that there is a substantial demand for programs which provide professional qualifications in the field of exports. Many senior directors of companies have welcomed the idea and are keen to send their employees to follow the programs. This is due to the much required need to have professionally qualified personnel in organisations who have the ability to undertake and ensure the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s exports in the global markets. 

“We therefore researched, examined and included all the salient subject areas that one requires to have knowledge of in relation to the export industry. We have also selected a panel of lecturers who have many years of experience and industry knowledge in the relevant areas they are assigned with. These lecturers will give students many hours of individual attention to gain the knowledge and understanding they require in the various disciplines of study. 

“We believe that the right mix of subjects, the in depth coverage in our syllabus and the background and expertise of our lecturers are some of the key points for our qualifications to be endorsed and accepted by employers in the industry. Hence we are confident that those who obtain our qualifications including any person working in the industry or those who wish to enter it can create a demand for themselves in this constantly growing and lucrative niche market.”