ABSTRACT
Do M E S TI CAN D FOR E I G N commerce affects the exchange of the output of agriculture and industry. Merchants seek markets where there is a demand for particular manufactured goods or farm produce. They arrange the necessary transport facilities and they are responsible for collecting debts due to producers. In .addition they provide credit and arrange for the storage of products that· cannot be sold immediately. In this way merchants assist in the process of production and help to maintain the balance between output and consumption. They are able to cope with the situation if the harvest is either too big or too small.
