THE IFC FIT INITIATIVE From Launches to Graduations – 600 Graduates in 3 years

A series of Graduation events were held in Dhaka and Chittagong, Bangladesh and Lagos, Nigeria for graduates ofthe launched FIT Initiative supported in these countries by the International Finance Corporation, IFC

At an event in Karachi Pakistan, Mr. Umar Farooq of United Bank Limited said “The ‘FIT Initiative’ in Bangladesh and Pakistan is supported by the ‘IFC Global Trade Finance Program’ which itself, in a short period of time has proven to be a highly successful global trade finance support program for banks and their customers especiallyduring turbulent times’. Notwithstanding the global financial crisis it is clear to everyone that international trade is of fundamental importance to growth development and reduction in poverty. The FIT Initiative provides graduates with international certification and integrates them into a growing network. See http://www.ifcfitinitiative.com

The IFC ‘FIT Initiative’ is an e-learning program that is designed with an important
dual purpose:

1.to train and certify international trade finance professionals
2.to build an online global network of international trade and finance professionals who will share knowledge and experience on an online platform specifically developed for the program

This Three Month program is delivered in a combination of the following learning elements:

Students will be incorporated into the eBSI Alumni and will be able to collaborate through a purpose built learning platform.

Online Specialised training in UCP 600 ICC Approved Online Training
Online Collaboration Site for stakeholders To leverage the network aspect of the ‘FIT’ Initiative all stakeholders (participants, tutors and coordinators) will have access to an online networking and collaboration system designed to facilitate exchange of ideas and contact building.

The Finance of International Trade (FIT) is comprised of the following Learning Units:

• Methods of Payment
• Bills of Exchange
• Documentary Collections
• Documentary Credits
• Import Documentary Credits
• Bonds & Guarantees
• Forfaiting, Factoring & Invoice Discounting
• Structured Trade Finance
• Export Credit Agencies
• Complex Transactions
• Warehouse Financing
• Global Trade Finance Program