Main Aim(s) of the Unit

This unit covers the key areas of finance of international trade and payments and identifies and explains methods to be considered in order to reduce the level of risk associated with International Business decision-making.

The unit can also provide practical methods and techniques to executives of Maritime organizations operating in highly competitive international environments.

By evaluating individual buyer’s risks, the student will be able to understand the most appropriate and practical methods of payment in the international trade.

Main Topics of Study

The International Trade

• The Law of Comparative Costs
• Origins of International Trade
• The Benefits of International Trade
• The Structure of International Trade
• Economic, Commercial & Political Factors
• Countertrade
• Trading With Eastern Europe
• Multinational Companies & Direct Investment
• International Organisations Seeking to Facilitate World Trade
• Regional Organisations Seeking Liberalisation

Country & Buyer Risk

• Country Risk
• Balance of Payments
• The International Monetary Fund & the World Bank
• Political Risk
• Buyer Risk
• Credit Insurance

The Quotation

• Delivery Terms
• Calculation of the Quoted Export Price
• Profit Margin, Pricing Policy & Delivery Terms
• Credit Terms
• Foreign Exchange Pricing

Foreign Exchange

• Convertibility of Currencies
• Quoting in Currency, The Exchange Risk
• Understanding Rates of Exchange
• Forward Exchange Contracts
• Forward Exchange Rates, Calculating Forward Exchange Rates
• Closing Out Forward Contracts
• Pure Currency Options, The Wider Picture
• Avoiding the Spread, Euro-Currency Markets
• Tender to Contract Cover

Agreeing a Method of Payment

• Risks Associated with the Country or the Buyer
• The Role of the Credit Controller
• Types of Methods of Payment, Methods of Remittance

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PAYMENTS II (0706)

Documentary Collections

• The Bill of Exchange
• Uniform Rules for Collection

Documentary Credits - Obtaining the Credit

• The Definition of a Letter of Credit
• Opening a Documentary Credit
• The Main Categories of Documentary Credits, Types of Documentary Credit

Documentary Credits - Securing Payment

• Examination of a Credit on Receipt, Amending Letters of Credit
• The Doctrine of Strict Compliance
• Discrepancies in Presentations, The Pre-Presentation Examination
• Action in the Event of Discrepancies

Banker’s Guarantees (Bonds) & Indemnities

• Guarantees Issued by Local Banks
• The Exporter’s Liability to the Bank
• Indemnities Securing the Release of Goods
• Bank Guarantees in Support of Loan or Overdraft Facilities
• Custom Clearance Guarantees

Finance for International Trade

• Bank Finance to Establish Export Markets - Overdrafts & Loans
• Bank Finance from Contract to Payment - Overdrafts & Loans
• Credit Insurance Cover, Bills of Exchange
• Forfeiting, Factoring
• Other Sources of Finance, Finance for Imports

Other Trading Methods

• Consignment Trading
• Joint Ventures Overseas
• Pick-A-Back Schemes & Group Selling
• Royalty Agreements & Licensing

Learning Outcomes for the Unit

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Use cost data for the planning, monitoring and control of a business
2. Recommend, for any market, optimum mixes of trade finance
3. Identify and explain country and buyer risks in any export plan
4. Discuss methods to avoid trading losses arising from business conducted in foreign currencies
5. Critically assess methods of finance in international trade
6. Analyse and select appropriate procedures to secure payment for goods or services

Learning and teaching methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:

Learning takes place on a number of levels through lectures, class discussion including problem review and analysis.  Formal lectures provide a foundation of information on which the student builds through directed learning and self managed learning outside of the class.  The students are actively encouraged to form study groups to discuss course material which fosters a greater depth learning experience.

Assessment methods which enable student to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the Unit:

Examination                100%

Indicative Reading for this Unit:

Main Text:

Principles of International Trade & Payments - Peter Briggs (Blackwell Publishing)

Alternative Text and further reading:  

Trade Finance: Payments & Services - D B Cox (Northwick Publishers)

Multi-National Finance - Buckley (Prentice Hall)

Exchange Rates & International Finance - Dufey & Giddy

Guideline for Teaching and learning time (10 hours per credit)

 50 hours Lectures / Seminars / Tutorials / Workshops:
Tutorial support includes feedback on assignments and may vary by college according to local needs and wishes.

50 hours Directed learning:
Advance reading and preparation / Class preparation / Background reading / Group study / Portfolio / Diary etc

100 hours Self managed learning:
Working through the course text and completing assignments as required will take up the bulk of the learning time. In addition students are expected to engage with the tutor and other students and to undertake further reading using the web and/or libraries.