IIFT gets first regional centre in Kolkata

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) launched its campus in Kolkata on Friday. The Kolkata campus, which will the IIFT’s first regional centre, is expected to be ready by the target date of July 2009.

Speaking on the occasion, Union minister for commerce & industry Kamal Nath said that the Kolkata will fill the gap of a premier institute offering courses in international business management and trade in the part of the country catering to West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and the North Eastern States. In addition, prospective students from Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan can also benefit, he said.

“It also meets the long-standing demand from the local Chambers of Com-merce, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, and other trade and in-dustry bodies,” Mr Nath added.

Mr Nath, who also called on West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhat-tacharjee before the launch, thanked him for his support.

Referring to exports, the commerce minister indicated that overall merchan-dise exports from India would touch $ 165 billion by 2009-10. The total incremental employment generation as a result of increase in exports is
expected to be 21 million between 2004-05 and 2009-10.