Surat: The Education and Skill Development Centre of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) organized a special seminar on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Samruddhi, Nanpura, titled "From Local to Global – Secrets of Export-Import". The event attracted a large number of exporters, MSME entrepreneurs, professionals, and students aspiring to enter the world of international trade.
International trade expert and corporate trainer Amit Mulani, addressing as the keynote speaker, emphasized that rather than worrying about tariffs, businesses should focus on trade and quality. He illustrated this by referring to the scenario post the Pulwama attack when official trade between India and Pakistan ceased, yet continued indirectly through third countries such as Dubai and the UAE. This, he said, demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of market forces.
Mulani went on to outline several strategies for navigating US tariffs. These included loading advance shipments before tariffs take effect, leveraging American Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ), negotiating wisely with buyers and entering into triangular trade agreements, and adding value to products to shift them into lower duty brackets. He also highlighted the importance of exploring alternative markets to reduce over-reliance on the United States.
The seminar further delved into what Mulani described as the "hidden tricks" of international trade. These included mastering customs and regulatory compliance, building reliable buyer networks through digital platforms and trade fairs, hedging against currency fluctuations, and intelligently using Incoterms, Letters of Credit (LC), and Free Trade Agreements (FTA) to optimize trade outcomes.
Chamber President Nikhil Madrasi remarked that the seminar proved to be inspirational for both new and experienced exporters. He noted that this session reinforced the idea that whether it is tariffs or borders, nothing can truly stop rivers, winds, and trade from flowing forward.
