Varun Anthony is a pillar of patience. As he tells his clients, a dose of patience is what helps a brand successfully enter a potential international market.

Varun always wanted to pursue a career that was client-centric. At first he thought the hotel industry would provide the client-based work he was interested in. While the work was rewarding, Varun often found he had to be to be highly reactive. He wanted a career where he could be proactive and creative. This led Varun to start researching new career options, which led him to international trade.

Varun started in international trade in 2008 by joining the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at the Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai. Varun took the position of Trade Commissioner Assistant in August of 2008. The job was daunting, as Varun was new to the world of international trade. His colleague’s use of tongue-twisting jargon nearly pushed Varun away from international trade completely.

However, Varun always saw himself as a lover of challenges so he got to work, learning all the ins and outs of international trade. Varun applied himself and, by 2010, was given the opportunity to develop the agriculture and agri-food sector in West India on behalf of the government of Canada.

Building a strong relationship between two nations 

Varun received substantial support from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada as he worked to build up this new sector in West India. As the project intensified, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada made the decision to promote a trade commissioner, whose sole focus would be to build this new sector. Their choice for the job was obvious.  Varun was selected from a multitude of candidates, due to his innate knowledge of the Indian market and his proven track record with Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.

After his promotion in 2012, Varun led industry delegations from India to Canada, exploring new opportunities across the agriculture and agri-food sector to establish trade. Varun worked with multiple clients across Canada to help them thrive in the Indian market. Varun expertly helps his clients enter the Indian market by offering his fundamental piece of advice.

Canadian clients, who are brand new to the Indian market, come to India and are thrust into the complex regulatory framework. They go through what I would call an ‘international trade culture shock.’

“But it’s my job as trade commissioner to administer a ‘dose of patience’ to my client when he/she looks at the Indian market. The ‘dose of patience’ is what helps any client, be it Canadian or an international exporter and manufacturer, to successfully enter potential-filled, but yet regulatory complex, markets like India.”

Varun is now working as an Agricultural Specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, based at the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai.

In his present role, Varun takes the lead on the marketing file for USDA’s presence in India. He works with American companies, exporters and manufacturers in the agriculture sector to identify opportunities in the Indian market and guides them to enter this key market.

Called on to assist in a frightening international situation 

Varun’s career has seen many highlights, but one always sticks out in his mind. Varun was only at the Canadian Consulate for three months when a significant challenge presented itself. Mumbai was struck by a three-day long terror strike, during which several Canadians were caught in the cross-fire. The Canadian Consulate was brought in to render services to the Canadians effected.

During the terror strikes, the Consulate General asked Varun to visit with a Canadian who had been shot multiple times during the attack. Varun visited the Canadian as he recovered in hospital and had his eyes were opened to the harshness of life.  Varun continually checked in with the wounded Canadian until he recovered and was released from hospital.

The following year, Varun and a few of his colleagues were recognized for their incredible work during the attacks. Prime Minister Stephen Harper presented Varun and his colleagues with a personal appreciation letter.

“It was the proudest moment of my career because I was fortunate to be one of those who served Canadians caught in the cross-fire and I was found worthy to render support to humanity. I still display the personal letter from Prime Minister Harper on my desk, to always remind me of the time when my career in international trade brought me face-to-face with citizens of the world. They were in peril and, in a small way, I was able to contribute and rekindle their faith in life. This was life in international trade and life couldn’t be better.”

“In my daily role as a Trade Commissioner for Agriculture and Agri-Food, the most rewarding and the proudest moments of my job was when a client who I have advised, guided and worked with to enter the Indian market actually does successfully enter the market and has their quality Canadian products placed on the retail shelves of this dynamic, diverse and complex market.”

Honoured and equipped to serve his clients 

Varun had already developed considerable skills in his role as trade commissioner, yet he wanted to enhance them even further. The FITTskills courses offered Varun exactly what he was looking for. Varun earned his FITTskills diploma, which set him on the path to his CITP®|FIBP® designation.

I truly believe that attaining the CITP®|FIBP® designation is the attainment of Nirvana in international trade. Ever since I became a trade commissioner, my eyes were always set on achieving this prestigious designation, which could only be derived by years of dedicated service and client engagement within the industry.

“I knew the path to attaining this designation would mean I would have to excel in my job as trade commissioner. It meant I would have to excel in giving my clients the best possible service, which would enable and prepare them to enter international markets.”

When Varun finally did earn his designation, he had only two words to describe the experience.

“Honoured and equipped. Honoured to be a holder of the elite CITP®|FIBP® designation and equipped to take on the world of international trade with my new designation.”

Varun sees the CITP®|FIBP® designation only enhancing his career moving forward.

The designation has equipped to best serve my clientele on a daily basis.

“The attainment of this designation has taught me the excellence required by every international trade practitioner to be successful at connecting the dots that make up this enormous global industry. My clients have a greater trust and know they are being serviced at the highest standard possible.”

Receiving his designation was also a major part in securing his current role with the USDA.

“Obtaining my designation was very instrumental in me getting this breakthrough in the USDA. The certification formed a key part of the resume and application package. They wanted more information during the actual interview about this designation and were very impressed when I filled them in about the details of this key designation. The FITTskills training polished me up and I still refer to my textbooks when I interact with clients and industry to understand how better I can serve them.”

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Shriya Ramachandran entered the world of international trade as an environmental researcher, monitoring various aspects of climate policy that impacted local and global industries. Transitioning from that position into a career focused on international trade was a very natural process.

Shriya began working as a trade officer for Global Affairs Canada (formerly DFATD) in 2014. Before that, she worked at the Finnish Trade Office in India as the clean tech program head for over three years. Over the course of her career she has had the opportunity to cover many sectors, including clean tech, automobiles, infrastructure, transportation, construction and financial services.

The busy and varied role of a trade commissioner keeps her on her toes.

“No two days are similar for a trade commissioner.”

“Any given day I might be helping Canadian companies with market access information, meeting with local companies to help generate leads, handling high profile visits or working on market specific reports. A typical day is a hybrid of all these tasks in different proportions.”

“That is by far the best part of my job. The dynamism of my work has turned my profession into my passion.”

Building strong business relationships between two great countries

As a key member of her clients’ international support group, Shriya is encouraged to keep her global trade knowledge sharp, involving continual professional development and training. As part of her professional development, she was encouraged to complete the FITTskills program and found it to be a very practical asset for her day-to-day work.

What made the FITTskills program particularly interesting to me is that its approach was focused on its applicability to our day-to-day work. The case studies presented a real-time experience of how to effectively manage our work.

Today, Shriya’s work as a trade commissioner focuses on infrastructure clients. She is stationed at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi and is responsible for supporting Canadian companies doing business in India across transportation, construction, and urban and social infrastructure sectors. She also manages the High Commission’s relationship with international financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank in India.

“My present role involves promoting the bilateral relationship between India and Canada across a range of infrastructure sectors, and facilitating MOUs between concerned ministries in railways and road transport.”

“I have been actively undertaking several missions and activities in collaboration with provinces and other government departments for trade promotion and investment, both in India and Canada. These projects have given me sound knowledge of the federal government structure in both countries, as well as the environment for doing business in both Canada and India.  As an infrastructure champion, I develop sector strategy and reports for India, along with briefing notes for senior officials at the High Commission and visiting missions.”

Living up to high expectations as a global trade expert

It’s inspiring to see how much Shriya enjoys, and takes pride in, the work that she does as a trade commissioner.

“Trade promotion supplemented by client success is a perfect blend to quantify the work that we do as trade commissioners. These particular achievements go a long way in instilling a sense of trust in the relationships that we share with our clients.”

“When a client approaches you, they believe that you have the ability to guide them in the right direction when it comes to working in a new market. This by virtue makes trade commissioners accountable for the work we do, and the support that we provide has a direct impact on our clients’ decisions.”

This impact has been demonstrated through some notably rewarding moments with clients during her time at the High Commission.

“I was very happy to be able to convince a client who had no predisposition towards India to sign a deal which has now made India their priority market, to much success.”

“I found it incredibly rewarding to help another client, who has been in the market for over four years, to get that one big break which transformed their business in India. I was able to assist this client in going from having no projects to being loaded with over a dozen projects, keeping them busy for over a year with substantial revenue flowing in.”

These client success stories reinforced Shriya’s commitment to global trade and the work that she does in India as a Canadian trade commissioner.  To demonstrate this level of expertise and engagement, she sought the elite designation that would signify her status in her field.

The CITP®|FIBP® is the only professional trade designation of its kind that focuses on the promotion and development of international business professionals who engage in a variety of roles and functions within organizations working on a global scale.

Shriya emphasises that the designation for her has real meaning because of the hard work and dedication that went into earning it.

“As important as earning the CITP®|FIBP® title, for me, was the process that has enabled me to demonstrate the complex skills and knowledge required to engage in international business. The FITTskills courses and CITP®|FIBP® designation have definitely broadened my horizons and professional network.”

“Earning the designation has created a strong foundation to understand the dynamics of global trade, while instilling a sense of confidence to improve my services in international business. Becoming an elite CITP®|FIBP® has absolutely honed my ability to make advancements in this field.”

Sharing the secrets to success

Leveraging her strong commitment towards promoting commercial engagement between India and Canada, Shriya has constantly outperformed her assigned targets on economic outcomes for Canada. Her commitment to client satisfaction and dedication to her work has always been appreciated by her peers and seniors, most remarkably with a reward for client services.

“The highlight of my stint at the High Commission has been the recognition for my outstanding performance in client services for 2015-2016. The award was purely on merit for providing exceptional client service to Canadian clients.”

We asked Shriya the secret to providing the highest level of service to her clients.

“I have always responded in a timely manner, with holistic and helpful solutions that meet the client’s needs. I have never let personal time conflict with my work, and have ensured that I look out for my clients’ needs, and put their requirements first and foremost.”

We’re proud to have dedicated professionals like Shriya representing the elite CITP®|FIBP® designation around the world.

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