IIFT

Research Projects CTFL & X-CELL OBJECTIVE, MISSION, VISION AND VALUES Faculty Research Division

About the Research

The Kolkata campus of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has played a pivotal role in contributing to evidence-based policymaking at both the central and state government levels through a range of sponsored and non-sponsored research studies. These contributions have significantly shaped policy design, implementation strategies, and post-intervention assessments.

IIFT Kolkata has been actively involved in conducting impact evaluation studies and offering knowledge-driven consultancy services to key stakeholders. The primary sponsors of these projects include the Department of Commerce (Government of India), various State Governments, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, Trade and Industry Associations, and several private sector firms.

A substantial portion of the Kolkata campus’s research and consultancy efforts has been focused on international trade and related domains. Key areas of expertise include:

Trade negotiations and policy analysis

Export-import operations and market access studies

Trade logistics and port efficiency assessments

Supply chain optimization

International finance and trade compliance

These projects not only serve to strengthen the academic foundation of the institute but also position IIFT Kolkata as a critical knowledge partner in India’s trade development ecosystem.

CTFL

The Centre for Trade Facilitation and Logistics (CTFL) at IIFT, established by the Logistics Division of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, at IIFT provides research and analytical support on supply chain and logistics issues to the government, exporters, industry, and policy bodies.

CTFL’s objective is to promote a cross-functional view of value chains by addressing key areas such as marketing, sourcing, logistics, operations, and customer service. It provides practical insights and addresses challenges encountered by stakeholders in trade, logistics, and supply chain management. Key initiatives include the development of a sector-specific Logistics Performance Index in collaboration with Export Promotion Councils, aimed at benchmarking logistics performance across major sectors. Additionally, during India’s G20 Presidency, CTFL played a critical role as a knowledge partner for the Trade and Investment Working Group, offering research, data analysis, and policy recommendations to enhance trade logistics and regional supply chain integration.

In the past, CTFL has provided consultancy services to Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) and the Directorate General of Shipping. Currently, the CTFL division at IIFT Kolkata is serving as the Knowledge Partner for the BRICS Summit 2026.

X-CELL - THE CENTRE FOR EXPORT FACILITATION

The centre brings Policy, Developmental and Promotional initiatives of the Export Community under a single platform with continuous engagement and measurable outcome matrices at various levels.

Over the years, it has been observed that several interventions at policy, industry and firm levels could not fructify desired outcomes as mostly the stakeholders tend to operate in output-based silos and got deprived of the ground level expected outcomes. The Indian MSMEs have huge potential to achieve export targets of the nation through mainstreaming the units towards global markets. Focussed initiatives through X-CELL would give them the required push to actively participate in the global markets.

OBJECTIVE, PURPOSE, MISSION AND VISION

Our Objective, mission, vision and principles bring our mandate to the existence of the centre. Concurrently, they define what, why and for whom it does as a body in line with the aim of the centre.

Delivering Excellence Across Borders / Turning Boundaries into Opportunities

To be a Centre of Export Excellence for promoting the economy in International Business through research and training.

To promote, develop and accelerate the Indian manufacturers towards Internationalisation and enhance the sector competencies in the global market in a holistic and sustainable way.