The collaboration between IIFT and the Port of Antwerp has a long-standing history, with students from IIFT visiting the port as part of their curriculum since 2019. The 206 students who visited the port were exposed to firsthand learning about supply chain efficiencies, customs regulations, and global trade operations. This ongoing partnership continues to offer students a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of the world’s leading ports.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the APEC – Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center, Belgium, marking a significant milestone in advancing academic cooperation in the fields of international trade, logistics, and supply chain management. This partnership aims to enhance knowledge exchange and foster joint research and training programs between India and Belgium, benefitting students, faculty, and industry professionals alike.
Strengthening Bilateral Trade Education Ties
The MoU seeks to strengthen educational and training collaboration between India and Belgium, focusing on facilitating faculty and student exchanges for cross-cultural business learning. In addition, the agreement envisions joint research on topics such as port management, global logistics, and trade facilitation, as well as offering specialized training programs, workshops, and industry interactions to improve knowledge and skill sets in these critical areas. It also highlights the importance of e-governance, digital trade, and emerging business technologies in contemporary trade education.
Minister of State for Commerce & Industry’s Address
Addressing the gathering, Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, emphasized the significance of international partnerships in fortifying India’s trade ecosystem. “India and Belgium have shared strong trade ties for decades. This MoU will further build on our cooperation, ensuring that our future business leaders are equipped with world-class training and insights into global trade practices,” said Prasada.
Belgian Delegation’s Recognition of the Partnership
Dignitaries from Belgium also praised the collaboration, recognizing its potential in strengthening global trade networks. His Excellency Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of the Flemish Government, acknowledged India’s democratic values and emphasized Antwerp’s strategic role as a global trade gateway. He expressed optimism about the positive impacts this partnership would have on trade education and policy development.
Reaffirming India's Commitment to Global Competitiveness
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Commerce Secretary Shri Sunil Barthwal also expressed his enthusiasm over the signing of the MoU, reaffirming India’s ongoing commitment to becoming globally competitive in international trade logistics. He highlighted that the new initiative by IIFT, in collaboration with APEC, would drive research, training, and capacity-building in key areas of global trade, logistics, and supply chain management.
IIFT and Belgian Delegates Engage in Knowledge Exchange
Following the MoU signing, a roundtable discussion took place between the Minister-President of Belgium and IIFT alumni, many of whom had previously visited Flanders. The alumni shared their insights and experiences from the program, emphasizing the valuable exposure they gained in the field of international trade and logistics operations.
Strengthening Long-Standing Ties with Antwerp
The collaboration between IIFT and the Port of Antwerp has a long-standing history, with students from IIFT visiting the port as part of their curriculum since 2019. The 206 students who visited the port were exposed to firsthand learning about supply chain efficiencies, customs regulations, and global trade operations. This ongoing partnership continues to offer students a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of the world’s leading ports.
Professor Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of IIFT, highlighted the importance of the MoU in providing practical exposure to students about global trade operations. “This collaboration will not only enhance our students’ understanding of port operations and global supply chain mechanisms but will also create opportunities for joint research, training programs, and faculty exchanges,” he said. Professor Joshi reiterated IIFT’s commitment to delivering world-class education with practical insights into international trade and logistics.
The MoU marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in international trade education, combining the expertise of IIFT and APEC to provide enhanced educational experiences and capacity-building for the future generation of trade professionals. Both institutions are committed to implementing the objectives outlined in the agreement, creating a robust framework for academic collaborations in global trade, port management, and logistics operations.
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Indian Institute of Foreign Trade has collaborated with various colleges, organisations, and universities. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade has signed MoUs with various industries, organisations, and companies. Some of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade collaborations are mentioned below: