certificate of origin

per capita income

securities

insolvency

fledgling industries

tender

consumer goods

For most people involved in the production and trading of “soft” or agricultural commodities, this is proving to be a grim decade. Prices are in many cases at, or near, historic lows in real terms as markets struggle to cope with floods of surplus produce. And—with most soothsayers forecasting flat, or still lower, prices—the markets themselves have lost much of their allure. Speculators who profited handsomely from the price volatility of the 1970s have deserted soft commodities for the newer excitement of financial futures or the security and big yields afforded by the equity and money markets. It is strange, indeed, to observe that only 10 years have elapsed since many respected forecasters were warning of impending global shortages of basic; raw materials and foodstuffs.

Big corporations usually bring much needed business expertise and management skills to developing countries.

Because RMB is not fully convertible, it cannot be attacked by foreign speculators.