From the outside, international trade can look like a series of transactions: products moving across borders, contracts signed, and markets entered.
But for Katherine Bagang, CITP, Senior Business Development Manager at GVig Singapore Pte Ltd Group, international trade has always been about something deeper.
For her it’s all about connection, adaptability, and building sustainable growth in diverse markets around the world.
“I entered the field of international trade because of my deep fascination with the interconnectedness of global markets and the opportunities it creates for businesses to grow beyond borders.”
Early in her career, she worked with a distribution company where she first encountered the realities of cross-border trade. That experience of navigating unfamiliar markets, balancing risk and opportunity, and seeing firsthand how the right partnerships could unlock growth sparked a long-term commitment to the field.
“It revealed not only the challenges,” she explains, “but also the immense potential of connecting products with new markets.”
From exposure to expertise
Those early experiences laid the foundation for what would become a career focused on international expansion and long-term value creation. Today, Katherine leads business development initiatives across multiple international brands, overseeing market entry, distributor partnerships, and brand positioning in highly competitive regions.
With responsibility spanning regions and industries, her work requires a careful balance of commercial objectives, cultural understanding, and strategic planning.
Over the years, Katherine has negotiated major contracts, managed multi-market brand launches, and collaborated closely with finance, marketing, and logistics teams to ensure global strategies are executed seamlessly. These experiences have given her a holistic view of international trade – one that goes far beyond transactional success.
Navigating complexity across markets
One of Katherine’s most memorable career moments was leading GVig’s expansion into ten new geographic regions.
“It was an ambitious project with many hurdles,” she recalls. “Seeing how we successfully navigated these challenges and achieved measurable growth is one of my proudest achievements.”
That success didn’t happen by chance. It was the result of disciplined research, strong local partnerships, and an ability to adapt strategies to each market while preserving brand integrity. Katherine credits her success to approaching each expansion with a long-term mindset that prioritizes trust and alignment as much as speed.
Another standout achievement was securing ten new key distributor accounts, driving a 27% increase in annual sales revenue. Equally significant was achieving a 100% customer renewal rate through proactive engagement—proof that sustainable growth often comes from deepening existing relationships, not just pursuing new ones.
Lessons learned along the way
If there’s one theme that consistently shapes Katherine’s approach to international trade, it’s adaptability. “The international trade landscape is constantly shifting due to factors like regulations, economic changes, and cultural nuances,” she says. “Being flexible and open to change is crucial.”
She wishes she had fully appreciated that earlier in her career. “There will always be unexpected roadblocks,” Katherine reflects, “but having the resilience and the tools to overcome them is what makes long-term success possible.”
For those entering the field, her advice is clear: stay curious, keep learning, and invest in relationships.
“Successful trade isn’t only about moving products across borders. It’s about connecting with people and cultures, and approaching every partnership with respect and transparency.”
Strengthening trade skills with FITTskills
As her responsibilities expanded, Katherine recognized the importance of formal training to complement her hands-on experience. She turned to FITTskills courses to deepen her understanding of international trade and bring more structure to her work.
“My FITTskills courses were instrumental in shaping my understanding of the intricacies of international trade,” she explains. The training helped her strengthen her approach to market entry, trade finance, and the legal dimensions of cross-border transactions, ensuring both compliance and efficiency.
Her favourite course, Market Entry Strategies, quickly became a cornerstone of her day-to-day work.
“What stood out most was how practical the content was—it directly aligned with my role in expanding GVig into new regions.”
The frameworks she learned, from risk assessment to entry-mode selection, continue to guide her decision-making. When evaluating new opportunities, she applies these tools to assess distributor stability, regulatory requirements, and potential barriers, allowing risks to be identified early.
Applying learning in the real world
One clear example of this practical application was GVig’s launch of SkinMTX in Ukraine. Drawing directly from the course, Katherine assessed distributor readiness, analyzed market risks, and built a structured launch plan tailored to a competitive aesthetic market.
“By aligning GVig’s professional brand positioning with the distributor’s network of clinics, we successfully entered and established a growing footprint in the country.”
The emphasis on scalability also reshaped her perspective. Rather than focusing solely on market entry, Katherine now prioritizes sustainable growth, ensuring brands are positioned not just to launch, but to thrive long-term.
Why the CITP mattered
After years of hands-on experience and formal training, pursuing the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation was a natural next step. “I wanted to formalize and validate my expertise in international trade,” Katherine explains. “The CITP designation felt like a testament to the work I had already been doing.”
Earning the designation marked a significant milestone. “It felt incredibly rewarding to have my experience and hard work recognized by an esteemed organization like FITT,” she says. Beyond validation, the CITP reinforced her commitment to continuous improvement and professional excellence.
The CITP advantage in practice
Since earning her CITP, Katherine has seen a tangible impact on both her career and her organization. On a personal level, the designation has strengthened her credibility when working with international partners and distributors.
“It gives them greater confidence in my expertise and decision-making,” she notes. The CITP has also expanded her professional network, opening doors to new conversations and opportunities within the global trade community.
From an organizational perspective, the benefits have been just as meaningful.
“It has enhanced our ability to enter new markets with well-structured plans and stronger risk management practices.”
Negotiations are more streamlined, partnerships more robust, and international operations more sustainable.
Looking to the future, Katherine sees the CITP as a platform for continued growth and leadership. “I foresee the designation playing a pivotal role in advancing my career by opening doors to new opportunities and enabling me to take on more strategic leadership positions,” she says.
As global markets continue to evolve, she remains focused on building resilient, adaptable trade models that balance ambition with long-term value. With her CITP designation, deep market experience, and commitment to learning, Katherine is well positioned to continue leading international expansion efforts that deliver lasting impact.
Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that in international trade, success is rarely linear—but with the right mindset, skills, and credentials, it can be both sustainable and deeply rewarding.
LinkedIn: Katherine Bagang
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