Passage 1
The Internet will play a central role in conducting international trade beyond the year 2000. The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) recently announced a plan to assist developing countries develop a capacity for e-commerce and e-business. The spin off from the decision can pay huge dividends to offshore companies that position themselves on-line right now to supply goods and services to the coming global Internet trading market.
E-business will help you set up and operate with a minimum of effort and at reasonable prices.
E-business Incorporated works with international companies to set up a web-office, or CyberSuite as its own domain accessible over the Internet via its own domain name or from the e-business Cyberspace Station.
If you are a supplier, your CyberSuite would have a showroom where visitors — especially wholesale importers and distributors — can examine images, drawings or listings of what you have to offer. If you are a buyer, your web-office can include a notice board listing products or services or agreements you are looking for and a bidding gallery where suppliers can post bids and link you to their sites to examine products. Trading partners can make purchases, send invoices, hold business meetings, track shipments, and work out potential trade agreements within the E-business Cyberspace Station. E-business seminars and conferences will introduce new potential trade partners to each other.
Orders placed on the site are sent immediately to manufacturers and any suppliers integrated into the trade process. For example, established trading partners might include an importer ordering large shipments from a manufacturer and suppliers of parts or raw materials in other countries. By electronically notifying the whole trade net at the same time, each partner is able to trim supply and demand to “just in time” delivery of goods or services. The savings of doing business this way can be substantial — even without the tax advantages.
32.In a Cybersuite, a supplier can _____.