[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="435"] The IIFT fraternity[/caption]
Ms Leila Choukroune, the Director of Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities, a renowned author and researcher, addressed the delegates on the ‘“Non-concerns” in trade and investment negotiations’. Ms Leila started off by quoting excerpts from the Geetanjali and then highlighted the issues revolving around the non-trade assets and investments, particularly those faced by the developing nations, which made the academicians and policy makers put on their thinking caps. One important takeaway from the session was that it is high time the treaties integrate and address these non-concerns in a better way.
Post Lunch, there were three sessions on Environment and Development Economics 1, BOP and Exchange Rate 1 and Indian Economy respectively. The four sessions post Tea break were on Environment and Development Economics 2, FDI 1, BOP and Exchange Rate 2 and Logistics and Trade Facilitation.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Adding Culture to the mix[/caption]
The day ended on a high note with a mesmerising cultural performance by a traditional group from Assam. They set the stage on fire with their Bihu dance performance. It was a fantastic way to end the day which had so much to offer for all the students, faculties and delegates.
The final day of the 5th EIITF Conference started promisingly with a special lecture by Prof. Rajat Acharya, a renowned academician and author of several books. His discussion was based on the theme ‘Trade and Economic Development’. He started with the explanation of Economic Development and how it relates to the nation improving the Economic, Political and Social well-being of its people.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Policy forum on Brexit[/caption]
Post Tea, there was a policy forum on ‘Brexit: Opportunities for India’. It was an insightful and stimulating session headed by Chairperson Mr Abhijeet Das, Head & Professor at Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. The discussion saw varied perspectives from the three panellists on the likely impact of Brexit on India and how it will affect the relations between India, UK and the European Union. Dr Anita Praveen, Joint secretary at Department of Commerce, Government of India opined that India should recalibrate its policies with the EU and not consider tariffs as a source of revenue generation. Dr Rashmi Banga, Head and Adviser at Commonwealth Secretariat put forth her cost and benefit analysis of Brexit and remarked that India should concentrate on the prospects of the services sector in the UK. Dr Siddhartha Roy, economic advisor to the Tata Group proposed that India should look at the opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector in the UK. The other sessions during this interval were on BOP and Exchange Rate 3, International Trade Barriers and Trade Facilitation, Policy Forum 2- Investment Issues in Asia.
Post Lunch, there were seven sessions on Financial Econometrics, FDI 2, RTA & WTO 2, Financial Market, RTA & WTO 1, Export and Firm-Level Analysis respectively. The Conference culminated with a valedictory address by Prof. RM Joshi and a Vote of Thanks by Prof. RP Sharma. Prof. Joshi explained that it is extremely difficult to forecast topics for conferences like EIITF as the modern World is extremely dynamic. Prof. Sharma extended the vote of thanks to all the dignitaries, volunteers, faculties and delegates.
In a nutshell, the 5th EIITF Conference was a mega success and has set the bar extremely high for the future editions of the conference.
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