5th International Conference on “Empirical Issues in International Trade and Finance” (2016-17)

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), a Deemed University, organized its Fifth Research Conference on Empirical Issues in International Trade and Finance (EIITF) during 16-17 December 2016 at its Kolkata Campus. The Conference received wide response from the academia and the policy research community, and a total of 101 papers were submitted from Universities and Research Institutes from India and abroad. After suitable peer-review process, a total of 71 papers were selected for presentation, 58 papers were scheduled and finally 48 papers were presented at the Conference. These included paper presenters from abroad including renowned universities, from Newcastle, namely University of Connecticut, MECAS Tlemcen University, National University of Singapore (NUS), Louisiana State University, Mercer University and IIMs, IITs, etc. The Conference was inaugurated by Shri A.K. Bhalla, IAS, Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Director, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). In his welcome address, along with welcoming all the delegates and participants, he wished this event a great success. The conference comprised “Key Note and Inaugural Address”, “Special Lectures”, “Technical Sessions”, “Policy Forums”, “Book Release”, “Cultural Programme”, Pre-conference and Conference Dinners, etc. Prof. Leila Choukroune, Director, Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities (CSH), New Delhi, the French National Research Centre (CNRS) Unit on South Asia, and Prof. Rajat Acharya, Jadavpur University, were invited for delivering Special Lectures at the Conference. The Conference schedule accommodated a total of 16 technical sessions, where ongoing research in different areas of international trade and finance were presented. In addition, three Policy Forums on issues of significant contemporary policy relevance, namely: “Ease of Doing Business – Customs, Ports & Logistics Infrastructure”, “Investment Rules and Policy in the Asia-Pacific Region: Current Issues”, India’s Emerging Leadership, and Future Prospects” and “Impact of BREXIT on India” (in collaboration with Centre for WTO Studies), were organized at the EIITF 2016 Conference. The book titled Trade, Investment and Economic Development in Asia, edited by Prof. Debashis Chakraborty and Prof. Jaydeep Mukherjee was released. The Valedictory Address was delivered by Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Chairperson (Research), IIFT. During his address, he expressed happiness about success of the conference and invited the delegates for the sixth edition of the conference to be held at Delhi Campus.