SINGAPORE— FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, launched the 3rd FedEx Express/Junior Achievement Singapore International Trade Challenge (SG ITC) 2010 earlier this month with three international trade workshops.
The program provides pre-university secondary school students a better understanding about global business and trade by helping them develop business ideas and inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship.
“FedEx strongly supports entrepreneurship, especially among the youths, as we believe that as tomorrow’s leaders, it is important for young people to understand how business and trade works in the global arena so that they can contribute to the country and region’s continued economic growth and success,” said Mr Clifton Chua, managing director, FedEx Express Singapore.
A total of 426 pre-university students from 12 schools took part in the workshops, which were held on June 2 at the Bishan Institute of Technical Education, on June 5 at the National Trade Union Congress Centre and on June 11 at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Six FedEx volunteers facilitated the workshops for the students, who were taught concepts pertaining to international trade and distribution, and given pointers on how they can research and compile information to create a market entry strategy for selling a product overseas.
“FedEx/JA ITC is one of our anchor annual events for Junior Achievement Singapore since we started operations here in 2008, and we are extremely pleased that we have been able to reach out to so many students to expose them to the concept of a market entry strategy plan and international trade”, said Ms Ng Hau Yee, Director, Junior Achievement Singapore.
Mr Chua added, “Through our International Trade Challenge Programme, we hope that students will gain first-hand experience of world trade, enhance their knowledge of product distribution, promotion and sales and develop traits of competition, teamwork, risk-taking and self-confidence. We are very encouraged by the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity the students have shown at the ITC workshops.”
Upon completion of the workshops, students will submit an “International Market Entry Strategy” paper to export a product to an overseas market. Six teams, comprising two students each, will then be shortlisted to participate in the national final of the SG ITC on July 31 this year.
Three winning teams will next be selected to represent team Singapore at the regional final of the FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge, August 23-25 in Singapore. Each winning SG ITC team will be presented with Certificates of Merit, trophies and book vouchers worth $1000 each team.
SG ITC is the Singapore component of the Asia Pacific FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (ITC), now in its fourth year, which aims to educate and inspire young people in eight Asia-Pacific markets on how entrepreneurship can improve the quality of their lives and the communities they live in.
The three winning teams will then compete with 21 teams from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines and Thailand in the Asia Pacific FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (ITC) held in Singapore from 23 - 25 August 2010.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee[1].
About FedEx Corporation
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $33 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.
About JA Worldwide® (Junior Achievement)
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Today, 139 individual area operations reach more than four million students in the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations in 121 other countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org <http://www.ja.org>
[1] Subject to relevant terms and conditions