ABSTRACT
Traditional economics prescribes that trade depends on the efficient combination of labour, capital and raw materials—enhanced by storage, transportation and financing facilities. Trade may be catapulted by technological breakthroughs available to one, but inaccessible to another. For some, trade in general, and free trade in particular, is a core component of development; others view it as an obstacle to development. Even the champions of free trade apply restrictions: the jones Act in the US, the Swiss trucking standards which effectively restrict access through the Alps on European Union freight, and product safety measures in Japan. The emergence of green detergents illustrates another opportunity for integrated information systems and UpSizing trade. The benefit is twofold: an increase in international trade in renewable resources generates wealth in the country of export; and water quality is impacted positively in the importing countries. Demand for food, water, construction materials, healthcare and consumer products are increasing worldwide.
