Industry specific professional qualifications needed to boost Sri Lanka’s exports
Monday, 19 August 2013 00:00
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It is a truism that professional qualifications and skills in international trade are mandatory to boost exports in any country. Sri Lanka is no different and the Institute of Exports (UK) has come forward to offer their professional qualifications – the CIT, AMIEX and MIEX – to the Sri Lankan export and import industry, which was hitherto not available locally.
The Institute of Exports (IOE) of the United Kingdom has announced the commencement of their professional courses in Sri Lanka through their local partner, the Institute of Shipping and Logistics (IOSL).
These professional qualifications consist of three levels beginning with the certificate in international trade, followed by the advanced certificate in international trade and the final diploma, and are the only industry-specific professional qualifications offered for the import-export industry in Sri Lanka, which can culminate in an MBA for interested parties.
The Institute of Export (UK) was established in 1935 and is the only institution that offers British flagship professional qualifications in international trade. Their professional qualifications are sought after by many employers and employees worldwide in the export-import sector including bankers. These qualifications are internationally recognised and respected and have royal patronage – the Duke of York is the patron of the institute.
To quote US President Barrack Obama on exports: “My goal is that US exports must double within five years. Increasing exports is the key to lifting an economy out of the doldrums.”
The new Sunday lecture program with a five month duration will commence shortly at the Ladies’ College Department of Vocational Studies, Colombo 3.
Very affordable course fees have been generously offered by the IOE-UK with a view of encouraging candidates from Sri Lanka to obtain professional qualifications in international trade. The IOE’s courses are also available in self study packs sent from the UK.
As stated by many business analysts: “Sri Lanka needs a thriving exports industry”, to accomplish the ambitious export revenue target of US$ 5 billion by 2015 and US$ 20 billion by 2020 set by the Government. To achieve this goal, professional qualifications and skills in international trade are absolutely imperative, which can only be provided by the Institute of Export (UK), said Gihan Warusavitarne, IOSL CEO. The IOE not only offers its professional qualifications, but thereafter continues to offer its expertise to members and companies worldwide with issues concerning exports. It functions as the ‘voice of the UK and global exporter’ and is not a mere awarder of an academic certificate. The IOE website, www export.org.uk, can be accessed for further information.
The IOSL was established in 1982 as the pioneer training institute in Sri Lanka for maritime studies and transport, and celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. As part of its anniversary program, the IOSL will also commence the next intake for their flagship course, the foundation diploma in shipping and logistics, around September. It has proved to be a very popular program during the past several years.
To satisfy the annual licensing regulations for freight forwarders, the IOSL offers the certificate course in logistics services, freight forwarding, multimodal transport and shipping, which has been approved by the Director General of Merchant Shipping of the Ministry of Ports and Highways.
Lectures for both courses are conducted at Ladies’ College Department of Vocational studies, Colombo 3. These lectures are conducted by an eminent panel of very highly qualified and experienced professionals in the shipping industry.
The institute also provides client specific and customised in-house training programs on behalf of corporate clients, including shipping companies, freight forwarders and import -export firms. These programs have a duration of one to two months and provide training in shipping, logistics, international trade and marketing etc.
The institute can be contacted via e-mail: [email protected] or by contacting 112853232, 0777 891767. The institute also offers the above courses via distance learning modes to outstation students and busy working adults with continuous enrolment throughout the year. Interested candidates can purchase the relevant home study packs and undertake studies at their own pace and time, and sit for the examinations.
