---Where in the World?

If you wanted to conduct business in another country, what foreign country would you choose? Of course, the answer to this question depends on the type of business you're considering. It wouldn't make sense to sell luxury goods in a country where people couldn't afford them or winter clothes in a tropical climate. For the purposes of this exercise, select a product (computers, mountain bikes, line of clothing, etc.) or business operation (starting a restaurant, bookstore, etc.) that interests you. Then browse the Web sites associated with 3-5 of the countries on the right to identify the country that offers the best opportunity for your business venture. Explain why your choice won out over the other countries you reviewed. As part of your preparation, take advantage of our Resources Covering the World. They include such valuable references as the "World Factbook" and the "International Market Research Reports," both of which help you look up background information on a country. Consider the following questions when making your decision: 1. How large is the market for your product within ---the country? 2. How many people can afford what you're selling? 3. Is there a stable political environment? --(If a government is unstable, you might not be ---sure whether your investment in the country will ---be protected by the next government.) 4. How developed is the infrastructure, including ---utilities, transportation, industry and technology? 5. How well do consumer tastes and culture match ---what you're offering? 6. What's the outlook for the country's future? Is it ---expected to grow economically or are hard times ---ahead? 7. How much competition is there? --(In the United States, there are over 200,000 ---fast-food outlets!) 8. Can you find employees with the education and ---skills you need?		Australia
		Brazil
		Canada
		China
		France
		Germany
		India
		Indonesia
		Israel
		Japan
		Mexico
		Pakistan
		Russia
		Saudi Arabia
		South Africa
		United Kingdom (Includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

---Global Business: An Extra Challenge

It can be difficult enough to make money in a business in your own country, let alone a foreign one. What are the extra challenges you will face if you want to conduct business in a particular country? First, select a country from the list on the right. Then, list the challenges you uncover. If you completed the previous exercise, it might be interesting to focus on one of the countries you rejected as your choice because of the problems you uncovered. What were those problems? Take advantage of Resources Covering the World to gain additional insights about a country or region of the world.		Australia
		Brazil
		Canada
		China
		France
		Germany
		India
		Indonesia
		Israel
		Japan
		Mexico
		Pakistan
		Russia
		Saudi Arabia
		South Africa
		United Kingdom (Includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

---NAFTA: Helpful or Harmful?

The North American Free Trade Agreement was passed into law in 1994 by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The basic intention of the law had been to improve the economies of the three nations, including the creation of more jobs and a better priced, wider selection of products for consumers and businesses. Overall, has NAFTA been beneficial to the United States? Give the specific reasons for your conclusion, including why you think the evidence was stronger than the opposing viewpoint. The Web sites below may help you in gathering facts and opinions. Just remember that any groups for or against an issue may distort the facts in their favor! Background Information North American Free Trade Agreement This is the complete agreement. It's far too detailed to read in its entirety for this exercise, but use it as a reference when you need to confirm or clarify any points. NAFTA Clouds Prospects of New Pact Washington Post article discussing some of the arguments of both proponents and opponents of NAFTA and similar free trade legislation for Latin America.
-- For NAFTA Effects of NAFTA on US-Mexican Trade Extend the Benefits of Free Trade		-- Against NAFTA NAFTA: A Clear Failure of Public Policy NAFTA at Seven Years

---

Copyright © 2004 South-Western. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer
Webmaster