Certificate of Finance in International Trade Launched

19.04.2013

The University of Malta has joined forces with the International Factors Group (IFG) and FIMBank p.l.c. to launch the Certificate of Finance in International Trade. The programme aims to introduce participants to the world of international trade, logistics, trade supply chain management, asset based lending and trade finance. It also incorporates the IFG Academy Week, which is the only truly international comprehensive and integrated course on the theory and practice of factoring and commercial finance. The six-week curriculum which will be held in Malta is designed to provide participants with a wide range of competencies that will enable them to further their career in the corporate world.

Professor Joseph Falzon, Head of the Department of Banking & Finance, and Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at the University of Malta stated that: “We are proud to be associated with the IFG and FIMBank. This certificate programme will provide a sound framework for those wishing to pursue further study or seek a career in the field of trade finance. Jointly with our partners, who will provide additional international lecturers and trade finance bankers, the programme will offer a unique educational experience - both theoretical and practical.”

Erik Timmermans Secretary General of the IFG, was equally excited about this development and stated that: “IFG is the representative trade association for the factoring and the asset based finance industry, with more than 160 members in over 60 countries. The decision to embed our existing Academy programme within this certificate course is intended to add tremendous value, since successful participants will now have the option to either enrol to our Academy Week or else follow the full six week programme distributed over 9 months and achieve an EU accredited qualification in both instances.”

The Certificate of Finance in International Trade has been jointly developed by the partners in order to meet the demands of the commercial world and offer a platform from which participants can increase their understanding of all aspects of international trade, the import and export business, logistics and trade finance. The principal objective of the course is to deliver a competitive, industry-focused educational programme that will provide the tools needed to achieve professional development goals in international trade finance. The emphasis throughout will be on the practical aspect of real life international trade scenarios. The course will be held at the University Campus in Msida and Valletta, and is expected to attract a significant number of international students. The support of this training programme is being effected through the University’s Research Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT).

FIMBank President Margrith Lütschg-Emmenegger believes that: “This is the first step in a long-term process, since our ambition is to see this certificate developing into a diploma, subsequently a degree and eventually into a fully-fledged MBA, which would be a first.” Ms Lütschg-Emmenegger explained that career opportunities in international trade continue to grow even during periods of economic downturn and fluctuations in the business cycle. She stated that: “The demand for capable and experienced professionals in the field of trade finance tends to remain high and FIMBank is very proud to be supporting this programme and promoting Malta as an international financial centre, as well as a centre of excellence in trade finance.”

Applications for the Certificate of Finance in International Trade programme are currently being accepted.

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