Finance for Exports

Abstract

A simple subject with a simple answer is one way of describing the subject matter of this paper but the only really simple part is being played by the speaker who was simple but honoured to accept the invitation of the Rhodesian Economic Society to be present today. Where does the finance of exports start? When the seed is sown by the farmer? When the shaft is sunk by the miner? When the raw materials are purchased by the industrialist? The answer could well be yes but for the purpose of this paper it is intended to approach the financial side of the subject by firstly examining the methods by which an exporter may arrange to receive payment for his goods and the likelihood in each instance of obtaining local finance prior to receiving proceeds from the purchaser. Bound up with this, is of course, the extension of finance to the importer by the exporter.