Tag: international trade

EduConnect

GCCI and FIEO Successfully Conduct 3-Day Certificate Course on Adaptive International Business in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), in association with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO – Western Region) and supported by ICICI Bank, successfully conducted a three-day Certificate Course titled “Setting Up and Managing an Adaptive International Business” from 24th to 26th September 2025 at the GCCI Conference Hall in Panaji.

The course was formally inaugurated in the presence of Mrs. Pratima Dhond, President of GCCI, and Mr. Chandrakant Gawas, Chairman of the GCCI Logistics Committee. Both dignitaries underscored the critical importance of upskilling and knowledge sharing for entrepreneurs, startups, and professionals aiming to enter or expand in the international trade arena.

The event drew overwhelming participation, with over 50 attendees including new-age entrepreneurs, seasoned business owners, international trade professionals, and aspiring exporters. The course was designed as a high-impact training module combining essential theoretical concepts with real-world business applications and industry exposure.

Day 1 laid the foundation by covering the essentials of international trade—participants were introduced to export documentation, export costing, selecting overseas markets, and understanding the prevailing business environment. Experts also elaborated on the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and how it impacts small and medium exporters.

The second day began with sessions on establishing overseas business relationships, identifying genuine buyers, effective communication, and navigating new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs). It also covered crucial topics like delivery and payment terms and the vital role logistics plays in ensuring successful exports. The afternoon featured a Stakeholders’ Interaction Session where major banks spoke on financial tools available for exporters, the ECGC outlined risk mitigation strategies, NSIC showcased MSME-specific schemes, and FIEO shared its ongoing initiatives in support of India’s exporting community.

On the final day, participants were taken on an immersive field visit to the GMR Goa Air Cargo Terminal at MOPA. The visit provided invaluable first-hand insight into international cargo handling, compliance protocols, and the logistical operations that support export trade, bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and ground-level execution.

At the closing valedictory session, all participants were awarded Certificates of Completion, acknowledging their commitment and active engagement over the three days. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees expressing appreciation for the course’s practical relevance and the opportunity to network with experts and fellow entrepreneurs.

The programme reflects the continuing efforts by GCCI and FIEO to build a robust export ecosystem in Goa. Both organisations reaffirmed their intent to collaborate on future programmes that focus on handholding, mentoring, and supporting local businesses as they venture into international markets. The initiative is a strong step towards increasing export contributions from Goa and empowering the next generation of Indian exporters.

EduConnect

Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hosts IIFT Students for Trade and Documentation Session

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) today welcomed a group of 44 students from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), along with faculty coordinators led by Dr. Siddharth Shankar Rai, for an immersive academic session as part of their port visit programme in Goa.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, established in 1962 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is one of India’s premier B-schools with global AACSB accreditation. Renowned for its specialized focus on international trade, the institution places strong emphasis on real-world exposure through industry visits and experiential learning modules.

The session began with a warm welcome by Mr. Kiran Ballikar, Director at GCCI, who introduced the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to support trade and industrial growth in the region. He highlighted the strategic role played by GCCI in promoting Goa’s business interests at a regional and national level.

Following this, Ms. Pallavi Arondekar, Director, GCCI, offered an overview of Goa’s historical trade connections, tracing the state’s long-standing economic linkages across the Indian Ocean and beyond. She also shed light on Goa’s current economic landscape, including tourism, mining, shipping, and manufacturing.

A key highlight of the session was a detailed explanation by Ms. Sanheeta Naik, Information Officer at GCCI, on the process and importance of Certificates of Origin, a critical component in international trade that ensures the authenticity of exported goods. Her explanation was supplemented by an engaging talk from Mr. Bikash Singh, a seasoned expert in global logistics and trade compliance, who discussed the real-world applications of documentation in international trade and the complexities of supply chain regulations.

The event was compered by Ms. Ambika Dhakhenkar, Deputy Director at GCCI, ensuring the smooth flow of the session and coordinating the engaging interactions between speakers and students.

The session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Dr. Rai, who expressed appreciation to the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry for facilitating a learning-rich experience. He acknowledged the value such industry interactions bring to IIFT students in preparing them for leadership roles in global trade and commerce.

The visit marks another successful academic-industry collaboration and reinforces the role of institutions like GCCI in nurturing future talent in international business.