Factors Affecting Development and Trade

Mid$-$Unit Assessment

You are consulting a local SME that is looking to expand into the global market. Their current operations are mostly domestic, but have recently begun exporting their products to the United States. The Owner has a very limited understanding of international markets and the risks$/$opportunities involved. So$,$ they are relying on your skillset and understanding of global markets to guide them in the initial stages of research.

They have asked you to prepare a guideline of factors that they should consider when choosing a country to expand into. You are to prepare a resource$/$information guide to assist with this. In a $2$ page $)$ document incorporate the following:

A description of factors that should be considered when comparing risk and opportunity among countries.

An explanation of the factor and why it is important for consideration

A description of the classifications or types within each factor $($Ex$.$ Market Structures$)$

$1-2$ comparator tools or indicators that could be used with an explanation of what they tell us and how they are determined

You know that understanding economic development and potential goes beyond monetary indicators, so you want to include tools that take a more holistic approach

Include $2$ comparator tools that provide a more holistic measure of development and explain how they are determined, and why they are useful

You understand that additional opportunities$/$risks can be found with countries that have some level of economic integration

Give an example of a trading bloc or regional association other than the European Union and USMCA

Provide a brief background of their formation and members along with the level of integration

Highlight the potential benefits and risks of this integration using your own thinking.