Chapter 1 Learning Objec ves
2.2 Transac on Analysis Using Accounts
Businessmen need to go into screening of market to be able to identity which market to go into. Unit 9 examined the processes involved in arriving at an appropriate international target segment. You look at both internal and external markets, study them very well and arrive at an appropriate segment.
3.3.1 Sources of Export Counselling
Information about export can be got from:- - -
Trade information centre Department of Agriculture Small business administration.
In Nigeria, there are so many agencies where you can get your export counselling from, the followings are some of them.
i.
ii.
The Central Bank of Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs
iii. Nigeria Investment Promotion Council iv.
v.
Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority Nigeria Customs Service, etc.
3.3.2 Export Payment Terms
In the US, there are basically five kinds of payment terms, offered by exporters to foreign buyers. They are:
i. Cash in Advance
When a buyer is not well known in terms of his credit standing, he is given cash in advance. Its disadvantages are that it will tie down the buyer�s capital because he needs to receive the goods and sell first before payment.
What is ordered for may not be received. Instead, the buyers prefer paying cash and collect their goods
ii. Open Account
An open account sales is offered to a reliable customer where an
economy is stable, the seller takes the whole risk. The exporter�s capital is tied down until payment has been received, sometimes you can use letter of credit as an alternative.
iii. Consignment
Are goods shipped to the buyer and payment is not made until goods are sold? The seller takes all the risk. Multinationals are involved in this type of sales; examples are Lever Brothers Nig. Ltd, UAC, etc.
iv. Letters of Credit
Are documents issued by the buyer�s bank in which the bank promises to pay the seller a specified amount under specified conditions?
Letters of credit could be confirmed and are irrevocable.
Confirmed- It�s an act of correspondent bank in the seller�s country by which it agrees to honour the issuing bank�s letters of credit
Irrevocable- It�s a stipulation that a letter of credit cannot be cancelled.
Air way bill- is issued by the carrier and presented as proof that shipment has been made.
Before you open a letter of credit, you as a buyer may request for a pro- forma invoice, which is seen as the exporter�s formal quotation containing a description of the merchandise, price, delivery time, method of shipping, term of sale, and points of exit and entry.
Letter of credit transactions- it means the route taken by the merchandise, letter of credit and documents in a letter of credit transaction.
iv. Documentary Drafts
Ball et al (2002) opined that when the exporter believes that political and commercial risks are not sufficient to require a letter of credit, the exporter may agree to payment in a documentary draft basis, which is less costly to the buyer.
Export Draft- It�s an unconditional order that is drawn by the seller on the buyer to pay the drafts amount on presentation or at an agreed future date and that must be paid before the buyer receives shipping document
3.4 Payments and Financial Procedure
Different countries have different payment and financing procedures,
this involves the documents used in export procedures. This procedure is followed strictly before any businessman is allowed to export to any country.
3.4.1 Foreign Freight Forwarders
These are special independent businessmen that handle export shipments for compensation. They are experts in this field. They offer advice in terms of markets, import and export regulations, and the best mode of transport, export packing and cargo insurance.
3.4.2 Export Financing
Export financing are both private and public. The private sources include the followings.
i. Bankers Acceptance- A time draft with maturity of less than 270 days that has been accepted by the bank in which the draft was
ii.
-
drawn, thus becoming the accepting bank�s obligation. It may be bought and sold at a discount in the financial market like other commercial papers.
Factoring- Discounting without recourse to an account receivable.
Forfeiting - Purchasing without recourse to account receivable, whose credit terms are longer than the 90 to 180 days usual in factoring; unlike factoring, political and transfer risks are borne by the forfeiter.
Export - Import Bank- It is a bank owned by the Federal Government that aids its citizens who engage in exports. Export- Import bank guarantees the following facilities.
Direct and intermediary loans - Working capital guarantees - Export credit insurance
Import-Export bank is discussed more in Module 3 Unit 5.
PUBLIC SOURCE-
In America they have the followings.
i. Overseas Private Investment Corporation ii. Foreign Sales Corporation
iii. Foreign Trade Zone
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
If you are involved in exporting, discuss two sources of your financial assistance.