ABSTRACT
THE INTERNET NOW REACHES ALMOST every corner of the globe, and electronic commerce has become an increasingly important aspect of international trade. The International Trade Centre, an agency of the United Nations, uses the term “e-trade” for electronic commerce. It defines e-trade capability as the capacity to do the following (Barclay and Domeisen 2001):
1 conduct preliminary market research and identify possible commercial partners; 2 promote capacities and establish an e-presence through a website; 3 initiate and maintain regular contact with prospective clients and suppliers through
email; 4 acquire credit references; 5 negotiate terms and contract specifics; 6 exchange and sign contracts on the basis of digital signatures; 7 order materials to produce contracted goods and monitor production and delivery
status; 8 expedite clearance of imported materials through customs; 9 coordinate production and delivery with subcontractors; 10 provide the buyer with information on order, production, and delivery; 11 coordinate shipment with freight forwarders; 12 acquire certificates of origin and other export documentation; 13 organize payment to suppliers through the local banking system; 14 receive payment from the buyer through the international banking system.
