Despite the severe economic downturn anticipated in 2009, it is believed that Hong Kong, one of the largest trading entities in the world, will be one of the regions fastest recovering from the global financial crisis.

Over the years, Hong Kong has successfully developed its service-oriented economy, and also carved out for itself a prime position in this regard. Among various sectors in the service industry, International Trade has always played an important role in Hong Kong's economy. The record of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council provides us with an encouraging snapshot of Hong Kong's trade and Industry.

This programme is specially designed to provide Secondary 7 graduates with a vocation-oriented, broad-based introduction to international trade. The programme integrates many disciplines present in the international trade industry. The learning objectives of this programme are to help the students understand international trade models & structures, business policies & regulations, and new opportunities in the international market, including financial and operations management in the supply chain, logistics and its related areas.

Practical job placement will form an important part of the training. Arrangements will be made for selected students to work as summer trainees in the trading and merchandising industries to acquire valuable practical experience to prepare them for their future career.

Graduates of this programme are eligible to apply for exemptions from examinations of the Institute of Export (IoE), the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Hong Kong (CILTHK).

This programme provides students with a solid academic foundation for a Bachelor's Degree programme at local and overseas universities in various disciplines such as Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Logistics, Finance and Trade. A credits exemption scheme is also available for the specific programme offered by the University of London–LSE.

This programme is designed for those candidates who wish to further their careers in trading and/or merchandising, in either the service or manufacturing industries, on the China Mainland and/or in Hong Kong.