Exporters Institute to conduct professional courses

The National Institute of Exports (NIOE) was set up to build a vibrant export sector by facilitating improved human resource input.

The NIOE will conduct professional courses to educate the youth who aspire to enter the export sector, one of the highest contributors to the economy, for long-term benefits to the economy, NIOE, CEO P. D. Fernando said.

Considering, Sri Lanka's geographical location to flourish as a trade hub, connecting to the value chain, changes in global trading pattern, including slow progress on trade liberalisation at WTO, proliferation of FTAs, questionable applications of SPS measures, standards, Customs valuation, countervailing duties and anti dumping were the aspects that needed education, he said.

The NCE took a bold decision by setting up the NIOE to produce a qualified professional community to strengthen exporters and has teamed up with the Sri Lanka Foundation, through a MoU, to provide a knowledge-based approach to exports.

Sri Lanka has entered a new era of development as the world trade pattern is changing rapidly. A position in the value chain rather than selling commodities will increase the export of technical and knowledge goods and the institution is working towards this, he said.

Today, knowledge is a must to thrive in the export business. Trade rules, procedures, values; export compliance, dispute settlements, trade related social issues (environment, sustainability, climate change) and even human rights issues are complicating the export trade.

It is different from the commodity exchange of the past. This is where education is needed. There is no specific teaching or training facility in Sri Lanka focused on industry needs to strengthen the ability export managers. The Sri Lanka Institute of Exports will fill this gap. The students from this institute will be better export managers and will stand a good chance of finding employment in a good position.

The institute will also be a forum, think tank opinion maker on local and foreign trade issues and provide inputs for policy formulation in international trade. It will analyse implications of trade rules and agreements.

The institute will accommodate 100 students initially and depending on demand, the numbers will be increased, he said.

It is a project by the Chamber of Exporters for the advancement of the export industry and the sector values this initiative. As the country is heading towards being a business hub, we need a large number of import and export managers.

There are no proper teaching facilities in this area. Almost all export managers are self-made. This has to be improved. The Middle East job market in this field has not been exploited by Sri Lankans. One reason is the lack of a credible paper qualification. The institute will fill this gap too.

The syllabus will include in addition to basic marketing, Customs procedures, negotiating skills, impact of changing WTO rules, non tariff barriers, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures FTAs, new payment terms, dispute settlements and arbitration, food safety and traceability, fraudulent practices, environmental issues, interpretation of laws and role of IT in export and import.

Lack of knowledge on these technicalities and poor compliance has caused heavy losses to the country.

We should also look into the aspect of international recognition. The students who complete the course should find employment easily in any country, especially in Africa, Latin America and Middle East where we expect steady growth in economic activities.

An advanced diploma is being designed to create experts in international trade, with the assistance of an international institution and an international accreditation will give exporters the pride of being a group of professionals and network with colleagues as members of the institution after completion of the diploma.

All lecturers are locals, but experts in the field and practitioners too.Arrangements have been made to have few sessions with foreign experts from ITC, WTO, IOE-UK, Fernando said.

- SJ