Providing Exim pros the ‘finishing’ touch

Exim Consultants, which began operations in 1983, has been serving the trade and industry sector in the city. Using the expertise gained by serving clients such as Fiat Chrysler, TNPL, BHEL and Philips International, the consulting firm diversified to start a finishing school – Exim Academy. The aim is to prepare entrepreneurs and professionals in the export-import domain to be more effective in operations.

Using satellite consultants and other innovative methods to service clients, the firm is keen to re-enter Coimbatore and other booming locations (AP, Telangana) to scale its business. 

RR Padmanabhan, who took up the consulting business from the erstwhile founder R Subramaniam, a Class I officer of Indian Customs, explains the rationale behind the diversification. 

“Exim Academy is aimed at providing skillsets relevant to market needs,” he said, noting that since its formal launch in 2011, hundreds of export-import enthusiasts have been trained. The target is to train 1,000 individuals who can get a holistic idea of how the export import business functions. 

“From a small batch, we now train 10 to 15 people a month, who are keen to pursue specialisation programmes. Supply chain logistics, EXIM management, freight forwarding and inland freight management are among the subjects sought by people, who either take up professional roles or launch their own enterprises,” Padmanabhan, a law and management graduate, said. 

Incidentally, in the last few years, the courses are in demand among women too. “Logistics is a male bastion. But when it comes to freight forwarding and custom clearances, the entry of women is more welcome given their competencies,” said Padmanabhan. 

He is equipped with knowledge and expertise in legal, process and procedural management within Customs Act and Foreign Trade policies. 

Dwelling on the range of services provided to MNCs, Padmanabhan, with his expertise in legal, process and procedural management within Customs Act and Foreign Trade policy, said the special valuation rules, transfer pricing and SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) testing are areas that are cumbersome for MNCs,  such as closure of licenses or understanding legally available schemes to boost business.