In the present era of globalization, Foreign trade/International
business has great significance in the economic development of a
country. Liberalisation has opened new horizons of international trade
for the market and has also opened vistas of foreign markets for the
diversified product line. This arena along with the traditional export
and import industry provides pathway to a multitude of careers. An
individual interested in finance and global business might consider a
career in foreign trade. International trade is a branch of economics,
which, together with international finance, forms the larger branch of
international economics.
Foreign trade is the exchange of goods and services between nations.
It is the export of goods and services to foreign countries and the import
of goods and services to the home country. Trade has always been a major
force behind the relations among nations. Without international trade,
nations would be limited to the goods and services produced within their
own borders. International trade has resulted in the import of products
which are difficult to produce or unavailable in a country, and export
of surplus product from a country. If a country cannot efficiently produce
an item, it can obtain the item by trading with another country. It enables
each country to make the best use of its most abundant resources. By selling
its surplus, whether it's raw material or finished product, a country
earns the money to import another nation's surplus. In most countries,
foreign trade represents a significant share of the gross domestic product
(GDP). In India about 45% of GDP is due to export and import.
Today businesses are not just limited to the boundaries of their
countries; they are expanding globally at a faster rate. There is
increasing connectivity and interdependence among the world markets
and businesses. A country's balance of trade (relation of exports to
imports) is an important measure of its economic health. Most
economists believe that imports and exports should be equal in value,
or exports should be higher, for a healthy national economy. In order
to facilitate foreign trade, government has set up Export Processing
Zones, Special Economic Zones (SEZ), ports for facilitating exports
and imports and also introduced various exemptions of duties.
As more and more companies grow global, the need for qualified professionals
to work in the international business domain increases. Those who are
involved in the field of foreign trade is known as import and export professionals
or foreign trade experts. The job responsibility of a foreign trade expert
involves providing guidance and assistance to businesses involved in export
and import of goods and services. International Business in India is really
lucrative and every passing day, it is coming up with more possibilities.
A large number of manufacturing companies, financial institutions, Banks
and Government agencies trade outside their countries boundaries, they
all have immense requirements for the candidates qualified in international
business. International business operations account for production, invoicing,
packing, insurance, transportation and shipping, logistics, quality control,
inspection, finance, documentation, marketing, import, export, custom
clearance, legislation, risk assessment, surveying, foreign exchange management,
merchandizing, taxation, research and development etc.
