Thank you!!!
Jeffrey Bogaert,
Nico Cossyns,
Julie Deaulmerie,
Nicholas De Potter,
David De Vos,
Simon Verduyn.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Podcast Trade
Thank you!!!
Jeffrey Bogaert,
Nico Cossyns,
Julie Deaulmerie,
Nicholas De Potter,
David De Vos,
Simon Verduyn.
Monday, 3 May 2010
Greece rescue deal
Greece will be finishing the terms of a €120 billion rescue loan to restore the country’s debts. Greece has reached an agreement with the IMF and other governments of the euro zone concerning the saving measures the European Union asked for. If the Greek government complies with these terms, they will get in exchange a financial ‘need’ plan from the IMF.
These measurements stirred up some commotions in Greece. Crowds have protested In Athens against the no indulgency measures attached to the loan and the increase in the retirement age from 53 to 67. There will be cuts in the public sector salaries as well. This Wednesday, a more substantial strike will be held in Athens.
Central banks and the European central bank are also working to restore the country’s significant debt.
These measurements stirred up some commotions in Greece. Crowds have protested In Athens against the no indulgency measures attached to the loan and the increase in the retirement age from 53 to 67. There will be cuts in the public sector salaries as well. This Wednesday, a more substantial strike will be held in Athens.
Central banks and the European central bank are also working to restore the country’s significant debt.
These days, it’s all about the Greek crisis and whether or not the EU has to help the Greek government. There has been a lot of criticism about Greece influencing the European union’s prosperity. I personally think Greece never should had joined the European Union. They haven’t met the Maastricht criteria and because they are stuck to the euro they can’t devalue while the Greek economy is in a deflation. I think they should be allowed to leave the Euro to lower their debt before things really get out of hand.
Even though the Greek government will receive financial help from the IMF, they had to agree several measurements. These actions or measurements, which will be applied soon, aren’t positive for the Greek population as well. Salaries will be lowered and the retirement age is shortened.
In general, I am convinced that an exit from the euro is the most sustainable solution on the long run. Continuously bailing out Greece will only help them at short notice and eventually effect the European financials.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Trade - the movie ( trailer )
Summary
This film “trade” is a German film and a cooperation between Roland Emmerich and Rosilyn Heller. Roland Emmerich is widely known as a director and producer of films like : Independence Day , Godzilla , The Day After Tomorrow , 10000 BC and 2012.
It all starts when a 13-year-old young girl is kidnapped in Mexico-City by Russian thugs. Together with other girls she’ll be transported into the United States. But her 17-year-old brother tries to save here by setting up a desperate mission. This mission leads him straight into a network of trading human cargo, here he hopes to free his sister with the help of a cop.
Can he really save her or is it just too late ?
Personal opinion
I saw a large part of this movie in my lessons Spanish in my secondary school and for me this was an example how trade is used in a negative way. Although this film isn’t based on a true story, it can be a true story because these sad stories happen all the time, everywhere in the world.
It’s a sad story but it reminds everybody how trade can be used at a negative way and it also opens your eyes and gives you a look how criminal organisations work. In this film this criminal organisation are Russians but because globalisation and of course trade is worldwide spread it could be also different guys.
These organisation trade (little)girls for big money to let them work in the sex industry. If you see that they have already a network of corrupt cops, government workers, ... you need open your eyes and let everyone see that this is a problem that’ll never cure itself.
By Nicholas De Potter
Casino Capitalism: Can It Be Contained?
“You are all the house, you’re the bookie. Clients are booking their bets with you. I don’t know why we need to dress it up. It’s a bet.” This is what Senator Claire McCaskill proclaimed at the hearings with Goldman Sachs’ senior executives. Casino capitalism came to life after the recent financial crisis; investment bankers are able to go short, as well as long, on the same investment – meaning that the bank can bet against their clients’ investments. Isn’t there fraud or at least misinterpretation involved in these transactions?
With tougher legislation and some serious financial reform, people who are guilty could actually be sent to jail. There is no social value in having large banks – and do not tell yourself that they can guarantee anything because they’re big. It’s been proven that even big banks can fail – look at the comparison of Greece and Lehman Brothers, right now. Europe and the United States are so intertwined with trade and investments that a collapse of the Greek economy would affect not only the EU, but the US as well.
If traders take unacceptable risks and do it from our banks they need to suffer the consequences when their deals go south. More laissez-faire, tougher legislation and a drastic financial reform - that’s what our economy needs right now.
It’s clear by now that the financial crisis was man-made, not just some weird coincidental series of events. It’s the constant gambling and the insationable greed of some Wall Street bankers that made the system what it is today; making those tower-high bonuses at any cost. In what world are we living if even ‘guaranteed capital’ funds aren’t credible anymore (look at Iceland’s Kaupthing Bank). And this is a minor aspect of everything that’s wrong, the real problems occur in the (business) world;
The Federal Reserve constantly keeps injecting the American system with fresh cash (which doesn’t exist in the first place). The States have lost so much financial credibility all around the world and foreigners wonder why they’d still invest in the States when there are better alternatives like China. And these practices will only keep repeating themselves if no decent regulations are put in place. We all know by now that Wall Street does not have to moral fortitude to do it themselves.
There hardly are any forms of sustainable investment left in the States, the banks that used to be the icons for the American system are now but mere shades of their former glory. The people who initially had nothing to do with the crisis were the ones who suffered the consequences (evictions, …) and no longer have faith in the American economy, nor the political systems. The American citizens have lost confidence in Washington, because they did not act when it was needed, and because they are still sitting around – not fixing anything.
Simon Verduyn
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Belgium – International trade
International trade is very important for the Belgian economy. Approximately 70 percent of the nation’s economy is dependent on international trade. Disruptions in global trade such as recessions can cause unwilling problems in Belgium’s economy. Fortunately, Belgium has many trade partners. Thanks to the export diversity, economic problems can have only significant impact on Belgium.
The nation’s main trade partners are in the EU. Also most of Belgium’s imports come from the EU, these provide 71 percent of Belgium’s imported products. The United States is a major trading partner of Belgium. In the opposite way, Belgium is the ninth largest trading partner of the United States. About half of Belgium's imports from the United States are processed and re-exported to other markets.
Imports from EU nations enter Belgium without any tariffs or duties. Goods and products from nations outside of the EU enter Belgium with import duties and a value added tax (VAT). The amount of these taxes depends on the product to an average of 5/6 percent of the total value of the product. Goods from outside the EU face a price disadvantage.
Since Belgium is headquartered as home of the EU, the nation has a unique perspective on world trade and global markets. Therefore Belgium has significant influence on trade.
I know Belgium aims strongly to be an open economy. Because Belgium’s economy is dependent on international trade, it’s very important to anticipate unwilling problems in global trade. I’m not surprised that trade is one of the most important activities in Belgium. With its central position in Europe, Belgium has become the headquarter of the EU. Trade is important when a country needs resources, it can't provide for itself, or because it's cheaper to import than to produce locally. Trading helps other nations to get what they need, while making money by selling what they don’t need. This makes it possible to develop as country. People can get food, clothes and other necessities by trading.
Source : http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Europe/Belgium-INTERNATIONAL-TRADE.html
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Trade Jargon
This article is about specific trade terms used in international trade forms. It is very important to use the same terms to prevent miscommunications. If the forms aren’t filled in correctly, the customs won’t let it import or export. The international trade forms are divided in 3 parts.
· The first part is the Commercial document (invoice, insurance, weight certificate,…),
· The second part is the Financial document (bill of exchange, letter of credit and a check drawn)
· The thirt part is the Transportation document which is the Bill of Lading (BOL).
· The first part is the Commercial document (invoice, insurance, weight certificate,…),
· The second part is the Financial document (bill of exchange, letter of credit and a check drawn)
· The thirt part is the Transportation document which is the Bill of Lading (BOL).
In a formal trade we have 4 parties.
· The Exporter also called the shipper or seller
· The Exporter’s bank or the confirming bank
· The Importer who is the buyer
· The Importer’s bank or the Collecting bank.
The more documents, the plainer language should be used. The best way to trade internationally is by only using those four words, in this way miscommunication will be avoided.
These Formal terms should be used to make everything easier. By reading this article, I realized that it is very important. I will certainly use those terms when I have to trade or ship something later. The specific jargon should be globalised, this will make trade a lot easier. Maybe a lot more trades will be made between different countries and this means that the contact and relation between different countries will improve. I think this is a necessary unification. It will also be easier for the customs who don’t understand synonyms from the official terms. I also think there are a lot of miscommunications, and when it is going about million dollar shipments it is very important to take all of this into account. Searching a new article for my new blog wasn’t easy. I wanted to search something else then the articles that I found before (about Vanilla trade, and Cuba Embargo). I thought this could be very interesting for everyone, we aren’t trading for millions yet but a little trade could use this information too.
Julie Deaulmerie
Trade policy
Trade policy is a guideline of rules which falls on every form of trade all over the world. Every nation has his own form of trade policy. The policy exists to create a better international trade. Things like taxes, regulations, tariffs and other forms of trade costs are part of the trade policy. Every nation is free to chose his position in the international trade. The safety aspect in different countries can be a barrier to trade because of the policy, that’s why there exists a trade agreement. This agreement makes it much easier to trade because it’s adapted to the situation. This creates a better contact and a better form of trade.
I think it’s good that there exists a trade policy because otherwise the international trade would be too chaotic. Weaker economic countries could suffer a lot if there weren’t rules on trade. These policies keep a certain balance in the economy of all the nations. I prefer an open trade system in the world, because I think globalization is a very good way to create employment in the world and good relations between the different nations. But countries may chose themselves if they are protectionist or non-protectionist. When countries trade between each other it’s very important to make some agreements. Otherwise there would be a lot of countries who suffer because of their policies, on for example tariffs. I also think it’s necessary to reform these policies on an easy way because the world economy is constantly changing and evolving. A country must have the opportunity to trade on a very honest way.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-trade-policy.htm
Nico Cossyns
I think it’s good that there exists a trade policy because otherwise the international trade would be too chaotic. Weaker economic countries could suffer a lot if there weren’t rules on trade. These policies keep a certain balance in the economy of all the nations. I prefer an open trade system in the world, because I think globalization is a very good way to create employment in the world and good relations between the different nations. But countries may chose themselves if they are protectionist or non-protectionist. When countries trade between each other it’s very important to make some agreements. Otherwise there would be a lot of countries who suffer because of their policies, on for example tariffs. I also think it’s necessary to reform these policies on an easy way because the world economy is constantly changing and evolving. A country must have the opportunity to trade on a very honest way.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-trade-policy.htm
Nico Cossyns
Thursday, 25 March 2010
China Uses Rules on Global Trade to Its Advantage
Summary
Today the world’s economy is struggling to recover from the recession , but in China there are evidences that they are using international trade rules to get their own economy better at the cost of others , by this they try maintain their export dominance.
They do that by using two major international bodies. First the World Trade Organization , by this organization they can complain about other countries trade practices. Filling a case at the World Trade Organization is one of the best weapons a country can have when you’re in a trade dispute with another country. By this they are trying to protect their own economy against others.
The second international body is the International Monetary Fund and is a sort of a watchdog for the global economic policy. Now the I.M.F. reports that China is constantly undervaluing its currency ‘the renminbi’. They keep ‘the renminbi’ artificially low all the time and that’s why China’s export is inexpensive and China’s import expensive.
Those two acts are against trade laws and that’s why other countries are starting to take measurements against China.
Personal Opinion
For us, China can be our hope but at the other hand it can also by our worst fear. They can supply us the cheapest clothes , electronic parts , ... but with their low remunerations they’ll claim most of our jobs. They attracts many enterprises because they have very cheap labour men and housing prices.
Also those measures that they take against competing countries and making their currency artificially low is cowardly and need to be restricted. Why does only China do such kind of actions and almost every other country respects the laws and make sure that a free trade is the new tomorrow.
By Nicholas De Potter
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/business/global/15yuan.html?scp=8&sq=trade&st=Search
China defends trade policy
On March the tenth, the prime minister of China – Wen Jiabao – addressed the political and economical concerns of Western nations during the National People’s Congress (NPC). The NPC is the only time a year on which the prime minister of China holds an open press conference, and that’s why it’s so highly anticipated in the rest of the world. Wen made several promises during his speech, amongst others; more cooperation between nations to bolster the global economical recovery, an increase of the educational budget, more low-cost housing and a consistent striving for a better living standard for all Chinese citizens.
Wen also defended his government against certain allegations - for example: that China is intentionally undervaluing the yuan in order to boost exports. Wen countered this by lashing out at the United States – who expressed their concerns with the Chinese currency – by asking Washington to take unspecified steps to reassure Chinese investors - who have over $800 billion in foreign exchange reserves in U.S. Treasury Securities.
As for geopolitical issues; China stands firm in their beliefs that Tibet and Taiwan are Chinese property and refutes sabotaging the negotiations at the Copenhagen Climate Summit (CCS), stating that they were never formally invited to any negotations.
It’s another amazing example of the struggle between China and the U.S. Both countries are trying to dominate each other and keep throwing threats and accusations in all directions. The bickering over their currencies is a prime piece of evidence in this complex case. China is a master in saying one thing and doing another; for example: “China urges countries to resist protectionism and asks them not to take advantage of each other during this fragile economic recovery”. While they’re the first ones to take advantage of the recent economic downturn by lending out credit with insane interest rates and to use their surpluses of previous years in order to keep their production at the same level it was before the downturn.
On the other hand we have the United States challenging the yuan, probably in order to safeguard their own economical interests . If the yuan is positively revaluated it would mean lower export numbers for China, which directly benefits the United states. This is an understandable argument, if it weren’t for the weak dollar and the gigantic government debt.
It goes to show that while both countries preach cooperation and understanding, all they really care about is fortifying their grip on the world’s political and economical stage. And all these charades and white lies are holding back the real economic recovery.
Simon Verduyn
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/14/china-defends-trade-polic_n_498324.html
Wen also defended his government against certain allegations - for example: that China is intentionally undervaluing the yuan in order to boost exports. Wen countered this by lashing out at the United States – who expressed their concerns with the Chinese currency – by asking Washington to take unspecified steps to reassure Chinese investors - who have over $800 billion in foreign exchange reserves in U.S. Treasury Securities.
As for geopolitical issues; China stands firm in their beliefs that Tibet and Taiwan are Chinese property and refutes sabotaging the negotiations at the Copenhagen Climate Summit (CCS), stating that they were never formally invited to any negotations.
It’s another amazing example of the struggle between China and the U.S. Both countries are trying to dominate each other and keep throwing threats and accusations in all directions. The bickering over their currencies is a prime piece of evidence in this complex case. China is a master in saying one thing and doing another; for example: “China urges countries to resist protectionism and asks them not to take advantage of each other during this fragile economic recovery”. While they’re the first ones to take advantage of the recent economic downturn by lending out credit with insane interest rates and to use their surpluses of previous years in order to keep their production at the same level it was before the downturn.
On the other hand we have the United States challenging the yuan, probably in order to safeguard their own economical interests . If the yuan is positively revaluated it would mean lower export numbers for China, which directly benefits the United states. This is an understandable argument, if it weren’t for the weak dollar and the gigantic government debt.
It goes to show that while both countries preach cooperation and understanding, all they really care about is fortifying their grip on the world’s political and economical stage. And all these charades and white lies are holding back the real economic recovery.
Simon Verduyn
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/14/china-defends-trade-polic_n_498324.html
Vanilla
Bitter plight of the vanilla trade children
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Luckily, they can still
get some revenues from vanilla-trading. Vanilla is the most famous Malagasy product in the world. A lot of premium brands use Malagasy vanilla, for example; Ben & Jerry’s, Marks & Spencer desserts, Magnum and a lot of other brands,… . Vanilla is a premium flavour for many products.
In Madagascar, 28% of the children between five and seventeen already work a day job. In Northern Madagascar, children are forced to work 6 or 7 hours a day on their parents’ fields. The reason? Children have to help put money on the table and aren’t even given the most basic education.
One black vanilla pod sells up to 4£ a piece in British supermarkets. Small growers can sell their vanilla to Société Vanille de Sambaya, which organizes auctions twice a year.
Nowadays vanilla is no longer a guaranteed source of income for the Malagasy people . A few years ago a kilo of vanilla sold for 600$, now a kilo is only worth 20$. We could conclude that the standard of living has decreased immensely. The vanilla pods have to go through a whole process, this means that the cultivation is very labour-intensive.
Vanilla has become very popular in the west, and Madagascar has become a symbol of quality. Big companies like Unilever have strict ethical standards, they don’t want to buy vanilla anymore from suppliers who work with children. By the end of 2013, Ben & Jerry’s promised to only use fair-trade-certified products
Opinion
For many poor families in poor countries, the help from their children is desperately needed. If they want a decent income to survive. Most families in countries like Madagascar have a bunch of children, their parents cannot pay an education for them. It’s very sad for the Malagasy that the price of the vanilla pods plummeted so much, because this is one of the most important incomes for Madagascar. Sadly enough, vanilla is not as scarce as for example diamond in Sierra Leone.
As we all know the Malagasy government is corrupt, this is also one of the important aspects why Madagascar is so poor.
Visiting Madagascar was a big experience for me. The Malagasy people are not sad because they are poor, they are always happy and enthusiastic. Madagascar is not a dry country at all, that’s why they can cultivate their own food instead of importing it.
Maybe if Madagascar could negotiate a better price for their products, they wouldn’t be as poor as they are right now.
Julie Deaulmerie
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article7060962.ece
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Luckily, they can still
get some revenues from vanilla-trading. Vanilla is the most famous Malagasy product in the world. A lot of premium brands use Malagasy vanilla, for example; Ben & Jerry’s, Marks & Spencer desserts, Magnum and a lot of other brands,… . Vanilla is a premium flavour for many products.In Madagascar, 28% of the children between five and seventeen already work a day job. In Northern Madagascar, children are forced to work 6 or 7 hours a day on their parents’ fields. The reason? Children have to help put money on the table and aren’t even given the most basic education.
One black vanilla pod sells up to 4£ a piece in British supermarkets. Small growers can sell their vanilla to Société Vanille de Sambaya, which organizes auctions twice a year.
Nowadays vanilla is no longer a guaranteed source of income for the Malagasy people . A few years ago a kilo of vanilla sold for 600$, now a kilo is only worth 20$. We could conclude that the standard of living has decreased immensely. The vanilla pods have to go through a whole process, this means that the cultivation is very labour-intensive.
Vanilla has become very popular in the west, and Madagascar has become a symbol of quality. Big companies like Unilever have strict ethical standards, they don’t want to buy vanilla anymore from suppliers who work with children. By the end of 2013, Ben & Jerry’s promised to only use fair-trade-certified products
Opinion
For many poor families in poor countries, the help from their children is desperately needed. If they want a decent income to survive. Most families in countries like Madagascar have a bunch of children, their parents cannot pay an education for them. It’s very sad for the Malagasy that the price of the vanilla pods plummeted so much, because this is one of the most important incomes for Madagascar. Sadly enough, vanilla is not as scarce as for example diamond in Sierra Leone.
As we all know the Malagasy government is corrupt, this is also one of the important aspects why Madagascar is so poor.
Visiting Madagascar was a big experience for me. The Malagasy people are not sad because they are poor, they are always happy and enthusiastic. Madagascar is not a dry country at all, that’s why they can cultivate their own food instead of importing it.
Maybe if Madagascar could negotiate a better price for their products, they wouldn’t be as poor as they are right now.
Julie Deaulmerie
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article7060962.ece
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Green and Black's to go 100% Fair-trade
Green & Black’s is an organic chocolate maker. The company revealed to change its entire worldwide food range to Fair-trade by the end of 2011. If the company succeeds, it will be the world’s leading manufacturer of organic Fair-trade chocolate.
The products of Green & Black’s will carry the blue and green fair-trade logo. The company hopes that the full conversion of the chocolate products will be achieved by the end of 2011 in more than 30 countries. Sales of fair-trade products keep rising, for example last year, sales of fair-trade products grew to £635m, in 2010 it could break the £1bn barrier.
Each year farmers in the Dominican Republic get a fair-trade funding, approximately £300,000 a year. By supporting the farmers, it's possible to make new initiatives to improve the education, the quality and availability of the farmers, which will increase their income, ensure the cocoa industry and the supply of high-quality organic cocoa beans. The biggest reason for this is, chocolate has become a mainstream fair-trade product. Same as bananas, tea and coffee.
To my opinion fair-trade is a really good thing ! Green & Black’s has made a good decision choosing for this. More and more people prefer to buy fair-trade products. The products are maybe more expensive but the quality of the products is very good ! When consumers buy products stamped with the blue, green and black Fair-trade logo, it means they support a movement that gives farmers a fair price for their hard work. Our economy may be in a meltdown but we still support groups such as the Fair-trade Foundation, We give hard workers in the developing countries a chance to escape poverty ! How nice is that !
Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/28/fair-trade-ethical-living
The products of Green & Black’s will carry the blue and green fair-trade logo. The company hopes that the full conversion of the chocolate products will be achieved by the end of 2011 in more than 30 countries. Sales of fair-trade products keep rising, for example last year, sales of fair-trade products grew to £635m, in 2010 it could break the £1bn barrier.
Each year farmers in the Dominican Republic get a fair-trade funding, approximately £300,000 a year. By supporting the farmers, it's possible to make new initiatives to improve the education, the quality and availability of the farmers, which will increase their income, ensure the cocoa industry and the supply of high-quality organic cocoa beans. The biggest reason for this is, chocolate has become a mainstream fair-trade product. Same as bananas, tea and coffee.
To my opinion fair-trade is a really good thing ! Green & Black’s has made a good decision choosing for this. More and more people prefer to buy fair-trade products. The products are maybe more expensive but the quality of the products is very good ! When consumers buy products stamped with the blue, green and black Fair-trade logo, it means they support a movement that gives farmers a fair price for their hard work. Our economy may be in a meltdown but we still support groups such as the Fair-trade Foundation, We give hard workers in the developing countries a chance to escape poverty ! How nice is that !
Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/28/fair-trade-ethical-living
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Fair Trade
Fair Trade is an exchange system that offers fair wages in local context. It’s trading with respect for cultural identity. It creates direct and long-term relations because Fair Trade makes sure businesses come together. Fair Trade is more than coffee it’s also clothing, jewelry, … It makes sure the prices are not expensive but competitive. They build schools for better education, hospitals for better healthcare and so much more with their profits!
I think it’s very important Fair Trade exists! Smaller communities and poorer countries also get a bit of support with this kind of trade! It’s good that those people get a chance to work and to earn money. The products they create are very basic, but very necessary in our world!
They say the prices are not expensive but competitive. I think products produced by Fair Trade are more expensive than other products! I know it’s very difficult to compete with the big manufacturers but it would be better for the “organization” if the prices would be a little cheaper. Maybe this would be possible if they would get more aid from the government.
It’s very interesting to know they make the difference by building schools and hospitals to improve the living conditions of that certain place. But I think that they would make more profit if they would promote their organization better than they do nowadays. I think everyone knows that Fair Trade exists, but I don’t think most people know what they do with their profits! It’s very important to know what Fair Trade is and it’s good that there are people who promote it by different and simple ways, for example YouTube in this case!
By Nico CossynsThursday, 25 February 2010
Quick Query: Covario's Stephan Spencer on Mobile Commerce
Summary
These days more and more consumers access the Internet through their mobile phones. That’s because the new phones have the ability to connect to the web via mobile data networking services – called 3G . Of course for us, ‘the consumer’, this is a very interesting tool to use. But for the merchant it’s a possibility that brings a lot of complications with it. This possibility is selling all or most of their goods via mobile phone.
Because this new tool is a sudden change in sales, the merchant needs to adapt his website to interact and react better at changes in trade. That’s why nowadays a third party joins the trade between the consumer and the seller to transform the merchant’s website into a mobile optimized version - which is very efficient and easy to use.
I do believe that this change in trade is one of the future possibilities to make trade much easier and faster. More and more people are getting mobile phones with internet support. And more and more internet providers are making it possible that you can access the internet almost everywhere you want.
I’m also the owner of such a mobile phone; equipped with internet support, and I have to admit that it’s a very useful feature when you’re in need of information and you don’t have time to start-up your laptop or desktop. It’s also easy if you can’t get on your desktop and really needs to find an address , ...
Of course there are still some mayor problems with it , and I find it a bit raciest that only IPhone or Blackberry users can use this new application. At school we have also such an application for only IPhone users and it’s not that friendly to give them an opportunity and not every people !
All people are equal for the law, so why not for this application ?
Nicholas De Potter
http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/1679-Quick-Query-Covario-s-Stephan-Spencer-on-Mobile-Commerce
These days more and more consumers access the Internet through their mobile phones. That’s because the new phones have the ability to connect to the web via mobile data networking services – called 3G . Of course for us, ‘the consumer’, this is a very interesting tool to use. But for the merchant it’s a possibility that brings a lot of complications with it. This possibility is selling all or most of their goods via mobile phone.
Because this new tool is a sudden change in sales, the merchant needs to adapt his website to interact and react better at changes in trade. That’s why nowadays a third party joins the trade between the consumer and the seller to transform the merchant’s website into a mobile optimized version - which is very efficient and easy to use.
In this article Stephan Spencer is such a third party. They interviewed him about his new company , of which the main goal is to transform all kinds of websites and platforms into mobile optimized pages. He explains how such a transformation works and if any platform or website is capable to undergo such a drastic transformation.
Personal opinionI do believe that this change in trade is one of the future possibilities to make trade much easier and faster. More and more people are getting mobile phones with internet support. And more and more internet providers are making it possible that you can access the internet almost everywhere you want.
I’m also the owner of such a mobile phone; equipped with internet support, and I have to admit that it’s a very useful feature when you’re in need of information and you don’t have time to start-up your laptop or desktop. It’s also easy if you can’t get on your desktop and really needs to find an address , ...
Of course there are still some mayor problems with it , and I find it a bit raciest that only IPhone or Blackberry users can use this new application. At school we have also such an application for only IPhone users and it’s not that friendly to give them an opportunity and not every people !
All people are equal for the law, so why not for this application ?
Nicholas De Potter
http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/1679-Quick-Query-Covario-s-Stephan-Spencer-on-Mobile-Commerce
The concept of trade
To start this topic about trade, I thought it was helpful to give a further explanation to the word “trade”. I’d like to give an answer to the question : what do we know about trade ? Many people know the word but on the other hand, can these people explain the word ? A small introduction.
We have been hearing this word for the first time since we started to understand the world. But what exactly is trade ? Trade is a simple activity between two parties or several parties that involves exchange of goods and services. Always remember that trade takes place between two or several parties in the transaction.
How do we trade ? In our modern world we use money as medium to exchange goods and services. A reason why trade has become a very important term in our common world. To understand the importance of trade we have to know that trading is in existence since humanity was born. One thing is sure, trade is going to be in existence as long as people walk on this planet.
The invention of money has played an important role in simplifying and promoting the development of trade. Modern traders generally use money as medium of exchange. Trade benefits also both parties involved in the transaction.
To my opinion the world wouldn’t exist if people weren’t trading among each other. Can you imagine a life without trade ? Trade has become an indispensable part in our life, that’s for sure ! Of course there are many different ways of trading. In our topic we discuss the concept of trade in an economic view. But as you know trading is not always a positive thing, think of all the illegal practices among trading. Such as trading humans, drugs, weapons,… If we look to trade that way, the discussion is far from over ! The world still needs to develop more than we can imagine.
We have been hearing this word for the first time since we started to understand the world. But what exactly is trade ? Trade is a simple activity between two parties or several parties that involves exchange of goods and services. Always remember that trade takes place between two or several parties in the transaction.
How do we trade ? In our modern world we use money as medium to exchange goods and services. A reason why trade has become a very important term in our common world. To understand the importance of trade we have to know that trading is in existence since humanity was born. One thing is sure, trade is going to be in existence as long as people walk on this planet.
The invention of money has played an important role in simplifying and promoting the development of trade. Modern traders generally use money as medium of exchange. Trade benefits also both parties involved in the transaction.
To my opinion the world wouldn’t exist if people weren’t trading among each other. Can you imagine a life without trade ? Trade has become an indispensable part in our life, that’s for sure ! Of course there are many different ways of trading. In our topic we discuss the concept of trade in an economic view. But as you know trading is not always a positive thing, think of all the illegal practices among trading. Such as trading humans, drugs, weapons,… If we look to trade that way, the discussion is far from over ! The world still needs to develop more than we can imagine.
Jeffrey Bogaert
The European Union offers EUR 180,000 to the WTO development fund for trade facilitation
The EU has confirmed that they will donate a large sum of money to the WTO ‘Trade Facilitation Trust Fund’. The total amount of money will be EUR 180.000 or approximately 240.000 USD. The EU has now contributed over the past few years a significant CHF 8.3 million or 5,668,827.97 EUR.
Why is this money being donated by the Europe Union? This donation will give new opportunities to third world countries who are less developed and have inhabitants with a low income. This money will be invested in the WTO trade facilitations. Because of this, these countries will be able to participate more effectively and efficiently in the global market. These facilitations look how to control governing and control procedures of the movement of goods across the borders to make them more sufficient. These actions will reduce costs and burdens for those specific countries while trading globally.
EU’s Chargé d'affaires, Mr. John Clarke accentuates that this will deliver a huge benefit to the developing countries. However, it is crucial for those countries that they will fully participate in the trade facilitation negotiations. He also tells that this action is only a part of the EU’s commitment to assist developing countries.
This action taken by the EU is of course a good thing. Whether we like it or not, we cannot longer deny that globalization is a fact. The world has become one large city. Everybody consumes products from all different countries around the world. Therefore it’s crucial to make and develop one large network to distribute goods and services sufficiently worldwide. This may of course not have a negative effect to the country that’s exporting or importing. Many less developed countries attract multinationals by their lack of laws and low loans. But this is something to avoid, this phenomenon causes low income, sad working environments and in general a low prosperity. All countries should have the same chances and opportunities. The actions, made by the EU, aim to fulfill these objectives. It helps these third world countries to develop and increase their prosperity.
But donating a large sum of money isn’t just going to do the trick. I believe it is as important to help them develop and manage their global ‘business’. They shouldn’t just let them receive the donation with no further supervision.
De Vos David
source: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres10_e/pr596_e.htm
Trade Barriers Could Threaten Global Economy
17 major nations have violated a promise which avoided protectionism. Countries such as Russia, the United-States and China have taken measures to limit the imported goods. This trend, which protect their own domestic products, is a very worrying process. Some countries do it because of revenge because they hadn’t the possibility to act freely in other countries. But this kind of protectionist measures may be worsen the crisis and our global trade. These actions could lead to reaction. In this way there could be a trade war.
I think this is a natural reaction in this period. Everyone is feeling the crisis and everyone wants to be safe. The first one they save is themselves, this is a reaction everyone would have. You could compare it to other situations for example a fire. Most of the people will look how to save themselves and if there’s an opportunity they would safe someone else.
The thing is if you do something to another the chance is big that that person will do the same to you. And this is the action-reaction we can see in this situation. It’s an action of vengeance. The thing is that mostly actions of revenge are not the actions that will help a lot! And this is also the thing we can see in this case. First it will help yourself a little, but if you look in long-term you will realize that it wasn’t the best thing to do.
I think the major nations would better sit around the table and think how to solve this problem on a diplomatic an solidaristic way. If the trade barriers are too expensive it will lead to hostility and the crisis will extend. We are in a period that we have to think in an international way. If you want to read the article that I’m talking about, you can visit following site:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/17/AR2009031703218.html.
Nico Cossyns
The American-Cuban trade embargo
Ever since the 1970’s, during the cold war, there has been a trade embargo on Cuba. During the 2008 presidential elections Obama promised the American people that he would lift the embargo in order to re-stimulate - amongst other things – the economy.
Today – the 14th of September – Obama announced the extension of the embargo by one year. The extension is motivated by the American wish for a democratic and economically free Cuba. High hopes were raised when Raul Castro took over the presidency from his brother Fidel, but thus far the only improvements in the American-Cuban relations have been easier travel possibilities and leaner financial trade restrictions for US citizens.
I’m convinced, bygones should be bygones. The cold war has ended and most feuds from that time have been buried deep under the earth. The Cuban-American problem is an ancient one which is only kept alive by tradition, not by common politic, social or economical sense. The Cuban people have been dumped into poverty by the regime and it’ll be a slow and troublesome process getting them out of it. The conditions for the of the embargo are contradictory with the actions it’s causing. In order for the country to economically improve itself, it needs to be able to trade with nearby markets without any restrictions imposed by the US. Cuba has a lot of potential, it holds a large amount of resources, has a great climate for agriculture and could flourish as a touristic venue.
The media is also partly to blame; the American news stations have tipped the public opinion against Cuba. People forget that the greatest victims are the Cuban people themselves. Instead of maintaining trade embargos, quotas and protectionism we should think about maintaining the people first.
My advice: if the embargo ever is lifted, the first thing that should be exported are the values on which the United States were founded - equality and liberty for all!
Deaulmerie Julie
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/14/obama-extends-cuba-embarg_n_286154.html
Today – the 14th of September – Obama announced the extension of the embargo by one year. The extension is motivated by the American wish for a democratic and economically free Cuba. High hopes were raised when Raul Castro took over the presidency from his brother Fidel, but thus far the only improvements in the American-Cuban relations have been easier travel possibilities and leaner financial trade restrictions for US citizens.
I’m convinced, bygones should be bygones. The cold war has ended and most feuds from that time have been buried deep under the earth. The Cuban-American problem is an ancient one which is only kept alive by tradition, not by common politic, social or economical sense. The Cuban people have been dumped into poverty by the regime and it’ll be a slow and troublesome process getting them out of it. The conditions for the of the embargo are contradictory with the actions it’s causing. In order for the country to economically improve itself, it needs to be able to trade with nearby markets without any restrictions imposed by the US. Cuba has a lot of potential, it holds a large amount of resources, has a great climate for agriculture and could flourish as a touristic venue.
The media is also partly to blame; the American news stations have tipped the public opinion against Cuba. People forget that the greatest victims are the Cuban people themselves. Instead of maintaining trade embargos, quotas and protectionism we should think about maintaining the people first.
My advice: if the embargo ever is lifted, the first thing that should be exported are the values on which the United States were founded - equality and liberty for all!
Deaulmerie Julie
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/14/obama-extends-cuba-embarg_n_286154.html
To invest, or not to consume
To invest, or not to consume
Most emerging Asian countries are enjoying large current-account surpluses, meaning that they’re sitting on large amounts of cash. Though it provides a certain degree of financial security, it’s also considered a protectionist rule and has been deemed a cause for the American housing bubble by numerous Western economists.
The same economists recommend that Asian countries stabilise their markets by shifting from export-based income to consumption-based income. The current surpluses are being kept for a rainy day – certainly in these economical difficult times – and are mostly saved in financial institutions abroad. While these countries are flourishing financially, the standard of living barely improves.
It’s a simple economical breakdown: if consumption is stimulated, the standard of living will receive a temporary boost. But… if these surpluses are invested in – let’s say infrastructure – they could sustain a steady growth, thus continuously improving the standard of living. An example would be the Philippines: investments only account for 15% of the GDP, which leaves about 80% of the GDP to consumption. The low investments – which secure future output and consumption – and the high consumption only facilitate flashes of improvement, but don’t sustain growth. Leaving the Philippines with one of the lowest growth rates on the Asian market.
It’s clear; many Asian economic models need to be revised. The rapid development and weak political systems leave too much room for misconduct and mismanagement. As per usual the populace is being left out. We’ve seen the same problems with former colonies, where reinvestment of surpluses is nearly non-existent.
One of the origins of the problem is the lack of leadership with integrity; most Asian markets are still considered part of the ‘Eastern Wild West’ where money makes the world go around. This leaves little room for responsible spending, which is ever so desperately needed. Globalisation should’ve streamlined the world’s markets into a single and unified platform on which we can all fairly trade-off. Making concepts such as ‘outsourcing’ and ‘offshoring’ a vague reminder of ancient times, where everyone had a different standard of living. The Western world is rapidly becoming an exclusively service-based market, as to where the developing countries are becoming solely goods-based. This phenomena has enormous socio-demographical consequences, ranging from education to discrimination.
Simple measures like a balanced investment-consumption model are fairly easily implemented and maintained, but there’s no drive to change the current Asian model in this economic downturn - leaving the world’s economy fragile and the Asian populace in poverty.
Simon Verduyn
http://www.economist.com/business-finance/economics-focus/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15328875
Most emerging Asian countries are enjoying large current-account surpluses, meaning that they’re sitting on large amounts of cash. Though it provides a certain degree of financial security, it’s also considered a protectionist rule and has been deemed a cause for the American housing bubble by numerous Western economists.
The same economists recommend that Asian countries stabilise their markets by shifting from export-based income to consumption-based income. The current surpluses are being kept for a rainy day – certainly in these economical difficult times – and are mostly saved in financial institutions abroad. While these countries are flourishing financially, the standard of living barely improves.
It’s a simple economical breakdown: if consumption is stimulated, the standard of living will receive a temporary boost. But… if these surpluses are invested in – let’s say infrastructure – they could sustain a steady growth, thus continuously improving the standard of living. An example would be the Philippines: investments only account for 15% of the GDP, which leaves about 80% of the GDP to consumption. The low investments – which secure future output and consumption – and the high consumption only facilitate flashes of improvement, but don’t sustain growth. Leaving the Philippines with one of the lowest growth rates on the Asian market.
It’s clear; many Asian economic models need to be revised. The rapid development and weak political systems leave too much room for misconduct and mismanagement. As per usual the populace is being left out. We’ve seen the same problems with former colonies, where reinvestment of surpluses is nearly non-existent.
One of the origins of the problem is the lack of leadership with integrity; most Asian markets are still considered part of the ‘Eastern Wild West’ where money makes the world go around. This leaves little room for responsible spending, which is ever so desperately needed. Globalisation should’ve streamlined the world’s markets into a single and unified platform on which we can all fairly trade-off. Making concepts such as ‘outsourcing’ and ‘offshoring’ a vague reminder of ancient times, where everyone had a different standard of living. The Western world is rapidly becoming an exclusively service-based market, as to where the developing countries are becoming solely goods-based. This phenomena has enormous socio-demographical consequences, ranging from education to discrimination.
Simple measures like a balanced investment-consumption model are fairly easily implemented and maintained, but there’s no drive to change the current Asian model in this economic downturn - leaving the world’s economy fragile and the Asian populace in poverty.
Simon Verduyn
http://www.economist.com/business-finance/economics-focus/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15328875
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