Updated May 14, 2025
Encouraged by his parents, Urvish developed a habit of reading newspaper articles on business, economics and politics while he was a student. Through this reading, he gained a deeper understanding of the vital role international trade plays in driving global economic growth and development. He learned about the Indian government’s new Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization (LPG) policy introduced in 1991, which was opening the economy to global markets.
This realization sparked a sense of purpose within him, and he knew that his future was in the dynamic world of international trade where he could contribute to global growth and innovation.
Spurred by an eagerness to learn from and interact with people from different cultures, he went on to pursue a BBA with specialisation in exports management to gain a basic understanding of international business. In order to fine-tune his skills and better prepare himself to face future challenges as a global citizen, Urvish continued with his education and earned an MBA in international business.
While studying for the MBA, he got an opportunity to intern with Dresser-Rand India – A Siemens Business, and a leading manufacturer of oil & gas compressors. In this role he gained hands on experience in various aspects of international business, global heavy engineering industries, and engineering including international project bidding, cost-estimation, project management, supply chain, logistics, and customer service.
Developing new global markets from scratch
After earning his MBA degree and few years of industry experience, Urvish began working as a senior international business executive, tasked with securing new business opportunities in unexplored markets. He decided to explore the then untapped markets in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa, including UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. He went after these opportunities despite knowing how challenging it was going to be and would entail starting from scratch.
Urvish went to work deploying his vision with patience, persistence and diplomacy. This included communication with government authorities, end clients (IOCs, State Owned Companies, Private investors), engineering consultants, EPC companies, sub- contractors, and local representatives. During this process, Urvish enjoyed his work engaging with the diverse stakeholders across countries, navigating cultural nuances, balancing conflicting interests, and ultimately driving collaboration towards a shared goal. While hard at work, he also had the spectacular experience of journeying from iconic global landmarks to the most remote corners of the world. The lessons he learned while working on developing these markets have been incredibly beneficial to his subsequent roles.
A collaborative approach to securing major clients
Urvish’s work to secure the bid for one of the UAE’s most prestigious state-owned oil & gas projects was another remarkable milestone. In the face of fierce competition from a leading international manufacturer, he recognized early on that winning would require more than just technical expertise—it would demand a strategic approach and collaboration with the in-country team.
With a clear goal in mind, he took charge, working hand-in-hand with the management team and the representative company to craft a compelling initial proposal. His ability to understand the client’s technical and commercial needs, anticipate potential challenges, and fine-tune the details set his team apart. After presenting the proposal, Urvish led multiple rounds of revisions and negotiations, consistently ensuring that his company’s offer stood out. His relentless focus and sharp business acumen paid off when he received the exciting news that the contract was awarded to his company.
For Urvish, this achievement wasn’t just about securing a contract. It was a tremendous confidence and credibility booster, and a testament to his ability to turn challenges into opportunities. This achievement also opened doors for his company to other projects from the same client and market expansion opportunities in Middle-East region.
In a world that’s constantly evolving, there’s always room for growth
Urvish believes we are all interconnected within a vast ecosystem, and that collaboration is essential for navigating this dynamic landscape and addressing the unique challenges of global markets.
A valuable piece of advice he would pass on to those embarking on their career journey is that it’s crucial to cultivate curiosity and a relentless commitment to self-improvement to excel in life. Urvish’s guiding mantra, inspired by ancient Indian philosophy, emphasizes the importance of constantly seeking knowledge and becoming a better version of oneself.
This continuous pursuit not only equips us to overcome challenges but also empowers us to make a meaningful contribution to the greater good of society.
A one-of-a-kind designation that validates business expertise at a global level
After migrating to Canada in 2018 Urvish was networking with professionals to understand more about the local culture and opportunities when his attention was drawn to the CITP designation. After learning more about the credential he was convinced that it would provide him with the much-needed validation of his expertise in international business. Although he already had a Master’s degree in international business and several years of relevant experience, he saw the value of the CITP designation in validating his capabilities on a global level.
It’s a great honor and pleasure to have earned the CITP designation. It reinforces my expertise in international business, ensuring that my skills and knowledge are aligned with global standards, while also providing opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals.
As a new immigrant, Urvish is steadily gathering valuable experience and progressing in his career. In a recent role, Urvish worked with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, where he made valuable contributions to international market research, supported business development, and led special projects. His efforts were instrumental in identifying high-value opportunities for Saskatchewan’s agricultural commodities in established and emerging international markets.
He also played a key role in amplifying the province’s presence through its international offices and industry associations. Additionally, Urvish provided crucial support to the Minister’s Office in advancing trade initiatives, including diplomatic visits and meetings, to further promote Saskatchewan’s agricultural interests on the global stage.
He is currently working with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development, where he supports investment attraction activities aimed at promoting investment opportunities in the province’s strategic sectors, including agriculture, mining, oil and gas, critical minerals, and other priority industries.
Armed with an elite, internationally recognized designation, guided by an ancient wisdom, and fuelled by passion and talent we look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.
LinkedIn: Urvish Patel
Learn more about the CITP®|FIBP® designation
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION—CITP®|FIBP®
Advance your career and build your professional credibility in the field of global business by earning the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation.
Why Earn the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) Designation?
The Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation is the world’s leading professional designation for the field of international business. So whether you’re new to global trade or have over a decade of direct experience, you’ll find the CITP designation can help advance your career and build your professional credibility.
The CITP designation sets you apart in the competitive international business industry because it’s proof you possess the competencies global business experts have identified as being essential for a successful career in international trade. It also recognizes your dedication to ethical business practices and ongoing professional development—both of which are desirable traits for today’s global business practitioners.
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