NMIMS Semester 3 September 2024 International Trade Assignments
Operations and Supply chain strategies
1. Mr. Ranga is a store manager at Pmart Ltd one of the leading retail firm. To penetrate the market, he was using a low-price strategy. Due to competition, he also plans to use technology in the supply chain to reduce the cost. In such a scenario, every business requires some competitive edge to sustain in the market. Discuss different supply chain drivers with Mr. Ranga that ultimately helps Mega Mart to enable the entire supply chain.
2. Your artisanal ice cream company produces small batches of unique flavours sold in local shops. A large supermarket chain wants to carry your top five flavours nationwide, requiring a consistent and high volume of production. Considering your current small-batch production process, how would you adapt to fulfill this order? Would you switch to a mass production or continuous production process, or choose another method? Explain your decision, taking into account factors such as maintaining product quality, scaling up production, cost efficiency, and logistical challenges in distributing your ice cream across a national market.
Nikaa Ltd is leading e commerce company sells beauty, wellness and fashion products through its website, mobile app, and over physical stores. Company holds items bought directly from manufacturers in its warehouses, where they are supplied whenever there are online or offline purchases. Due to high demand company is not able to concentrate on the core business. E-commerce business has experienced significant growth, leading to challenges in managing inventory, order fulfilment, and timely deliveries. You are considering partnering with a third-party logistics provider to handle these logistics functions.
a) How would you evaluate the decision to outsource to a 3PL? Discuss the potential benefits and risks, including cost savings, efficiency improvements, loss of direct control over logistics, and potential impacts on customer satisfaction.
b) What criteria would you use to select a 3PL provider, and how would you ensure a smooth transition to maintain service quality during this change?
Project Management
1. What is a project charter? Develop a project charter for Bhubaneswar Metro-rail project and discuss the typical elements of the charter.
2. India is planning to bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Construct a WBS (Work break-down structure) for the project.
3. Budget 2024 raised the allocation for the Road Ministry marginally to ₹2.78 lakh crore from Rs 2.7 lakh crore. Out of the outlay, ₹1.68 lakh crore is earmarked for investment in NHAI for the development of national highway corridors under Bharatmala Pariyojana.
a) Explain the various characteristics of Bharatmala Pariyojana.
Discuss in brief the different activities to be executed during the project life cycle of the Bharatmala Pariyojana project.
International Business
1. Whether or not you produce and sell goods internationally, international business impacts every organization. In light of this statement what in your opinion are the various challenges a firm will face while embarking to International Business.
2. While investing in India what is the significance of the role of FII and FDI. How in your opinion does India benefits when Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), and FII invest in India?
3. Read the following case study carefully and then answer the questions that follow:
The crisis in Ukraine has created a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions and has also dealt a severe blow to the global economy. The brunt of the suffering and destruction are being felt by the people of Ukraine themselves but the costs in terms of reduced trade and output are likely to be felt by people around the world through higher food and energy prices and reduced availability of goods exported by Russia and Ukraine. Poorer countries are at high risk from the war, since they tend to spend a larger fraction of their incomes on food compared to richer countries. This could impact political stability. The WTO has an important role to play in mitigating the negative effects of the crisis and in rebuilding a post-war global economy. It is important for the international trade and development community to better understand, analyze and monitor the nature, magnitude and spill-over effects of the war on trade and development for developing countries and vulnerable segments, and to assist countries in coordinating trade policy responses. Only with a clear understanding of these impacts, will it be possible to create robust supply chains, to limit further trade and development losses and to avert deepening inequalities between developed and developing countries.
a) What in your opinion should the WTO take steps to provide an impetus to trade in that has disrupted trade due to the Ukraine-Russia war?
b) Explain Global macroeconomic and trade effects of war and what are the ways that WTO can mitigate the problem.
India’s Foreign Trade
Scenario:
Indian agriculture produce Start-up Company called Bharat Agro Tech (BAT) in collaboration with Israeli agriculture Tech Company having their agreement for Technology transfer with one-time payment for technology transfer.
BAT has 500 acres of land on 30 years lease in Nasik, Maharashtra. They have built in situ fresh agriculture produce Cleaning, Packing Cold store unit. They grow fresh vegetables like Red Onion, Cucumber, Carrot, Beetroot, Moringa, and Green Pepper in 200 acres land and 250 acres they grow fruits like Grapes (All varieties), Papaya and Pomegranate. In the remaining 50 acres they grow different varieties of Roses. They are having all the experts from the field of agriculture and Horticulture from India and Agro technology from Israel. Their agriculture produce is 100% Organic and for that they have certificate also. BAT is 100% export oriented Start-up Company, their focus is on exporting to GCC countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait.
Q1. You can take any one country from above mentioned countries, discuss how you will move forward in finding market profile of identified market. You need to discuss on regulatory requirements of the target market, market survey (secondary) major non-tariff barrier and competition.
Q2. Please discuss on logistics, which is very important to ensure the product will be shipped on priority by air/sea.
Q3 a) You need to discuss what are the benefits BAT will get it from the State & Central government keeping in mind it is 100% export oriented start-up company.
b) What is your suggestion for BAT for marketing of their produce overseas? Do you recommend them to develop a good brand name for their products explain briefly?
Export Import Procedures and Documentation
Q1. You are working with a Customs Broker company. One of your clients seeks your advice on whether to import goods on Ex works, FOB basis or CIF basis. They don’t want to opt for any other incoterms. Please explain the three incoterms and advise them suitably.
Q2. Your friend wants to import some interior decoration goods from China for his home i.e. personal purposes. He seeks your guidance on obtaining IEC certificate to import goods for his purpose use. Give a good write up to your friend on this.
Q3.You have been shortlisted for a job of Export & Import Manager. During an interview you have been asked to give your views on the following questions:
a) What are the different type of payment terms prevailing in the international market today on imports?
b) What is your option of payment term for safe transaction and why?
Customs Shipping and Insurance
Q1. You are appearing for a written test as a part of the selection process for the post of Export Import Manager in an international organization. You need to answer the following question based on the Customs Act 1962:
Question: List 5 points under the title “Confiscation of improperly imported goods”
Q2. You are heading EXIM dept in an organization. In one of the Management meeting Finance Director requests you to explain the various types of bills of entry for his academic interest. Give a write up on all bills of entry that are in use.
Q3. You are attending a webinar on Customs clearance of export goods. The webinar conductor asks you the following questions
a) What is shipping bill and where it is used?
b) How many types of shipping bills are in use and explain them
