Research Assignment
Use the globalEDGE (http://globaledge.msu.edu) website to complete the following exercises:
The World Trade Organization International Trade Statistics is an annual report that provides comprehensive, comparable, and updated statistics on trade in merchandise and commercial services. The report allows an assessment of world trade flows by country, region, and main product or service categories. Using the most recent statistics available, identify the top 10 countries that lead in the export and import of merchandise trade, respectively. Which countries appear in the top 10 in both exports and imports? Can you explain why these countries appear at the top of both lists?
You work for a pharmaceutical company that hopes to provide products and services in New Zealand. Yet management's current knowledge of this country's trade policies and barriers is limited. After searching a resource that summarizes the import and export regulation, outline the most important foreign trade barriers your firm's managers must keep in mind while developing a strategy for entry into New Zealand's pharmaceutical market.
The World Investment Report published annually by UNCTAD provides a summary of recent trends in FDI as well as quick access to comprehensive investment statistics. Identify the table of largest transnational corporations from developing and transition countries. The ranking is based on the foreign assets each corporation owns. Based only at the top 20 companies, provide a summary of the countries and industries represented. Do you notice any common traits from your analysis? Did any industries or countries in the top 20 surprise you? Why?
An integral part of successful foreign direct investment is to understand the target market opportunities as well as the nature of the risk inherent in possible investment projects, particularly in developing countries. You work for a company that builds wastewater and sanitation infrastructure in such countries. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) provides insurance for risky projects in these markets. Identify the sector brief for the water and wastewater sector, and prepare a report to identify the major risks projects in this sector tend to face and how MIGA can assist in such projects.