Pranab Mukherjee Addressed IIFT New Delhi Golden Jubilee Function

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the Golden Jubilee Ceremony of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi today (May 2, 2013) at IIFT Auditorium, New Delhi.

Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles and Dr. D. Purandeswari, Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry will be the Guests of Honour and Shri S R Rao Chairman, IIFT & Commerce Secretary will participate in the Function. Dr. Surajit Mitra, Director, IIFT will address the dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that this is an occasion to recognize the enormous intellectual contribution made by the Institute in foreign trade and international business. He said that he was confident that IIFT would continue to impart relevant training and undertake intellectually sound research in the area of foreign trade and international business.

The President stated that the increased integration of our economy with that of the world calls for managing our economy from the risk of any global financial crisis. He said that increased trade liberalization and economic cooperation would not count much unless they result in tangible benefits for our people. Hence, thrust should also be placed on meeting other objectives like employment generation and regional development, he stated. He emphasized that our export sector should be able to drive the socio-economic development of our country.

Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textile released the Commemorative Volume of Foreign Trade Review and presented its first copy to the President on the occasion.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Dr. D. Purandeswari, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri S. R. Rao, Chairman, IIFT and Secretary, Commerce and Dr. Surajit Mitra, Director, IIFT.