Every business buys goods and sells goods. For example, a bakery buys flour from a wholesaler and sells bread to its customers. A clothing shop buys stock from a supplier and sells it on. Countries do exactly the same. Ireland sells goods and services to other countries and buys goods and services from them. This buying and selling between countries is called international trade, and it is measured using exports and imports.
Exports
An export is a good or service sold by Ireland to another country.
Money comes in to the Irish economy. Visible export
A visible export is a physical good that leaves Ireland.
Money comes in to Ireland.
Example: Irish butter sold in France.
The physical good (butter) leaves Ireland, and money comes in to the Irish economy.
Invisible export
An invisible export is a service provided by an Irish business to a foreign buyer.
Money comes in to Ireland.
Example: A US tourist visiting Ireland and spending money on hotels and restaurants.
Invisible import
An invisible import is a service purchased by an Irish person/business from a foreign provider.
Money leaves Ireland.
Example: An Irish person booking a holiday to France.
Imports
An import is a good or service bought by an Irish person/business from another country.
Money leaves the Irish economy. Visible import
A visible import is a physical good that enters Ireland from abroad.
Money leaves Ireland.
Example: American cars purchased in Ireland.
The physical good (car) enters Ireland, and money leaves the Irish economy.
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STRAND 3 CHAPTER 33: Globalisation and international trade