Event

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2009

Topic: “The Graduation Ceremony celebrating the completion of the International Trade Marketing Certification Program”

Second Graduation Ceremony of the Trade Certification Program

On February 19th the Trade-Related Assistance Center (TRAC) at the American Chamber of Commerce held the second graduation ceremony of the Trade Certification Program. The program is conducted by the TRAC in coordination with the American University in Cairo and the Import-Export Institute in Washington.

The ceremony was attended by the graduates of the program along with a number of friends and family members as well as people from the business community who were interested to learn more about the program and to meet with the graduates.

The opening address was delivered by Mr. Omar Mohanna, President of AmCham Egypt. Mr. Mohanna expressed his excitement to see such an impressive group of young gradates; pointing to the fact that they can offer a highly needed skill set that is missing from the Egyptian labor market today. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. John Groarke, Deputy Mission Directorof USAID Egypt. Mr. Groarke stressed USAID's unwavering support for capacity building projects as well as its sustained interest in Human Resource Development.

Through the Trade Certificate Program, TRAC offers tailored training sessions that respond to the direct needs and requirements of the private sector. The program offers performance-based scholarships to fresh graduates who wish to develop skills on demand in an ever more competitive job market. Linked to the Washington Import-Export Institute, the TCP offers an in-depth and truly internationalized understanding of the global trading system with courses on global culture, global market, and import & export skills.

By providing specialized training, the program aims not only to enhance the competitiveness of Egypt's young professionals, but also to enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian private sector. Graduating as certified traders, these young men and women have the necessary knowledge and capacities to succeed in careers in the field of global trade.

TRAC organized this ceremony to both celebrate the achievements of the young men and women and to provide a good opportunity for representatives from firms working in export and import to become further acquainted with the Trade Certification program and learn about the superior skills that the graduates can bring to their businesses.