A Sample of Questions from FCIB's Round Tables in 2005

1. Please comment on the current trade conditions in Argentina and the future outlook from a creditor’s perspective?

2. Is anyone working successfully with Argentina? What are members’ experience with terms and payments?

3. Are credit insurers providing coverage for Argentinean customers?

4. Please discuss payment terms and experience in Brazil.

5. Has anyone had to deal with the courts and bankruptcy system in Brazil? Do you have any tips to share?

6. Is anyone selling on open account terms in Ecuador and how are members getting paid?

7. Mexico’s central bank has tightened its monetary policy for the 10th time in the last year, signaling that the battle against inflation has not ended. What effect do you think this will have on trade conditions?

8. What are members’ experiences with payments coming out of Mexico these days?

9. Are you using any security instruments in Mexico, like pagares, for example, or is this a thing of the past?

10. What are the best executable guarantees for Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela?

11. What would you do to maximize trading opportunities while minimizing the inherent risks when doing business with Latin America?

12. Is Argentina considered as being a potential high risk in 2005-2006? What is the future outlook from a creditor’s perspective?

13. What is your experience with terms and payments?

14. Are credit insurers providing coverage for Argentinean customers? What is their view on Argentina?

15. Please comment on the significance of the Central America Free Trade Act (CAFTA).

16. What guarantees are best to have when doing business with Latin America?

17. Protesting drafts – why does it work in some countries and not in others?

18. We see more and more requests for open account terms. How are members dealing with such requests and what is your payment experience with China?

19. Will the Indonesian economy strengthen in the near future?

20. What is your experience with letters of credit issued by the Trade Bank of Iraq or any other Iraqi Bank?

21. In general are sales to Turkey increasing?

22. Has anyone used credit terms other than a letter of credit with Turkish customers and what was your payment experience?

23. Do you get Turkish letters of credit confirmed? Is it necessary?