n.a.
- Information not available. Net absolutely
n.a.a. - Not always afloat
N.A.S.D.I.M. - National
Association of Securities Dealers and Investment Managers
N.A.T.O. - Noth Atlantic Treaty
Organization
N.C.A.R. - No claim for
accident reported
N.C.V. - No commercial value
n.d.w. - Net dead weight
n.e. - Not exceeding
N.E.D.C. - National Economic
Development Council
n.e.p. - Not elsewhere provided
n.e.s. - Not elsewhere
specified
N.H.P. - Nominal horse-power
N.K.K. - Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
N.K.O.R.L. - No known or
reported loss
N.M.A. - (Lloyd's) Underwriters
Non-Marine Association
N.O.C. - Notice of cancellation
n.o.p. - Not otherwise provided
n.p. - Net proceeds
n.r. - No risk, net register
n.r.a.d. - No risk after
discharge
n.s.p.f. - Not specifically
provided for
N.V. - Norske Veritas
N.V.O.C.C. - Non vessel
operating common carrier
N/a - No advice, No account,
Not applicable
N/C - New charter, New crop
N/f - No funds
N/m - No mark
N/N - Not north of
N/o - No orders (banking)
n/s - Not sufficient
NAC - National Advisory Council
on International Monetary and, Financial Policies
Nacional Financiera - NAFIN
promotes growth in Mexico's priority development areas. NAFIN provides
financial assistance to small and medium-sized Mexican businesses,
encourages foreign investment in Mexico, and supports technological
development in Mexico. NAFIN headquarters are in Mexico City, Mexico.
NADBank - North American
Development Bank
NAFIN - Nacional Financiera
NAFTA - North American Free
Trade Agreement
NAL - National Agricultural
Library
NAM - Non-Aligned Movement
NAP - Amsterdam Ordnance Datum
NASDA - National Association of
State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of State
Development Agencies
NAT - North Atlantic Treaty
Organization
National Advisory Council on
International Monetary and Financial Policies - The NAC is responsible
for coordinating U.S. participation in the international financial
institutions and the policies and practices of agencies of the U.S.
government that make, or participate in making, foreign loans or that
engage in foreign financial, exchange, or monetary transactions. With
regard to international financial institutions, the Council seeks to
ensure that their operations are conducted in a manner consistent with
U.S. policies and objectives and with lending and other foreign financial
activities of U.S. government agencies. The Council formulates and reviews
policies and programs for use by the U.S. representatives to these
institutions and advises the Secretary of the Treasury on:- Policies and
selected proposed transactions of the institutions; - Proposed actions by
these institutions requiring U.S. approval on such subjects as the
flotation of securities, increases in quotas and subscriptions, and
changes in their articles of agreement; and - Problems relating to the
administration and management of the international financial institutions.
NAC membership includes: the Departments of the Treasury (as chair),
State, and Commerce, the U.S. Trade Representative, the Federal Reserve
System, the Export-Import Bank, and the International Development
Cooperation Agency.
National Agricultural Library -
In its international role, the NAL cooperates in database production,
compilation of world lists of journals, publication exchange, cooperative
indexing, and intern training. The NAL serves as the U.S. center for the
international agricultural information system. The NAL's AGRICOLA database
covers all aspects of agriculture via bibliographic records to documents,
including international agricultural trade topics such as policy,
research, flows of commodities, environmental, taxation, and sociological
impacts. AGRICOLA is produced soley by the NAL. The NAL's Agricultural
Trade and Marketing Information Center (ATMIC) disseminates information on
agribusiness, countertrade (barter), exports, and trade development. The
NAL is located in Beltsville, Maryland. See: Agriculture Information
System.
National Association of State
Departments of Agriculture - NASDA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization of the 50 state departments of agriculture and those from the
trust territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin
Islands. Headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
National Association of State
Development Agencies - The National Association of State Development
Agencies, NASDA, was formed in 1946 to provide a forum for directors of
state economic development agencies to exchange information, compare
programs, and deal with issues of mutual interest. NASDA's organization
includes International Trade and Foreign Investment components. Trade
activities include maintenance of a State Export Program Database.
National Trade Estimates Report
- An annual report by USTR that identifies significant foreign barriers to
and distortions of trade.
National Treatment - National
treatment affords individuals and firms of foreign countries the same
competitive opportunities, including market access, as are available to
domestic parties.
Natural Resource Based Products
- This GATT Negotiating Group was formed as a direct result of pressure
from resource-rich LDCs to have an additional forum to deal with their
special concerns, including the removal of barriers to trade in natural
resource-based products. There are different interpretations among
participants as to whether this group includes only three traditional
product areas examined during the early 1980s GATT Work Program on NRBPs:
non-ferrous metals and minerals; fish and fish products; and wood and wood
products, or whether the Group may also discuss barriers in
non-traditional product areas such as energy-based products.
NBA - Niger Basin Authority
Negotiating Group - Within the
Uruguay Round, a negotiating group is a forum in which contracting parties
plan and manage the multilateral negotiations dealing with a particular
issue. In the Uruguay Round, there are two major groups, the Group of
Negotiations on Goods (GNG) and the Group on Negotiations of Services (GNS).
Within the GNG, there are 14 issue-oriented subgroups.
NEP - New Economic Program
Net Foreign Investment - Net
foreign investment is the sum of U.S. exports of goods and services,
receipts of factor income, and capital grants received by the United
States (net), less the sum of imports of goods and services by the United
States, payments of factor income, and transfer payments to foreigners
(net). It may also be viewed as the acquisition of foreign assets by U.S.
residents, less the acquisition of U.S. assets by foreign residents. It
includes the BPA statistical discrepancy.
net weight - Weight of the
goods only which does not include their packing.
New-To-Export - As defined by
the International Trade Administration, a new-to-export action is one that
results from documented assistance to a company that assists the client's
first verifiable export sale. Either the company has not exported to any
destination during the past 24 months or prior exports have resulted from
unsolicited orders or were received through a U.S.-based intermediary.
New-To-Market - As defined by
the International Trade Administration, a reportable new-to-market export
action is one that results from documented assistance to an exporter that
facilitates a verifiable sale in a new foreign market. Either the company
has not exported to that market during the past 24 months or previous
exports to that market have resulted from unsolicited orders or were
received through a U.S. based intermediary.
Newly Independent States - The
NIS is a collective reference to 12 republics of the former Soviet Union:
Russia, Ukraine, Belarus (formerly Byelorussia), Moldova (formerly
Moldavia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan,
Kazakhstan, and Kirgizstan (formerly Kirghiziya) and Georgia. Following
dissolution of the Soviet Union, the distinction between the NIS and the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was that Georgia was not a member
of the CIS. That distinction dissolved when Georgia joined the CIS in
November 1993.
Newly Industrializing Countries
- The term, originated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), describes nations of the Third World that have enjoyed
rapid economic growth and can be described as "middle-income"
countries (such as Singapore and the Republic of Korea).
Newly Industrializing Countries (NICs)
- A group of developing countries which have reached a relatively advanced
stage of economic growth and have experienced high growth rates in recent
years. Some of the NICs are Brazil, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, Singapore,
and Taiwan .
Newly Industrializing Economies
- NIE's is a term generally applied to the more advanced developing
countries in East Asia. The reference includes Hong Kong, Korea,
Singapore, and Taiwan; occasionally its use encompasses other countries as
well, such as Indonesia and Thailand.
NG - Non-Governmental
Organization
NIA - Nearest international
airport
NIB - Nordic Investment Bank
NIC - National Intelligence
Council
NICs - Newly Industrialized
Countries
NIE - Newly Industrialized
Economy
Niger Basin Authority - The NBA
(French: Autorite du Bassin du Neiger) fosters coordinated development of
the Niger Basin area. The Authority regulates navigation, publishes
statistics and hydrological forecasts, promotes environmental control and
agricultural and infrastructure development. NBA's predecessor
organization was established in 1964; headquarters are in Niamey, Niger.
NBA members include: Benin, Burkina Faso, the Cameroon, Chad, Cote
d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria.
Nigeria Trust Fund - The NTF
grants loans on preferential terms to finance projects in Nigeria in
cooperation with other lending institutions. The Fund, which is
administered by the African Development Bank, was established in February
1976.
NIPA - National Income and
Product Accounts
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai - Japanese
ship classification society.
NIS - Newly Independent States
NMEs - Nonmarket Economies
nom. std. - Nominal standard
Non-Governmental Organization -
The term "NGO" is generally applied to private sector nonprofit
organizations that contribute to development in developing countries
through such activities as development cooperation projects, financial
aid, material aid, the dispatch of personnel, the acceptance of trainees,
and development education. In this context, NGOs are accredited by the
United Nations or its specialized agencies and can lobby and do business
with them.
Non-Market Economy (NME) - An
economy where commercial activity is centrally planned. While the GATT has
some NME members, it is difficult to enforce the rules since the GATT
system is based on market principles.
Non-Tariff Barriers - NTBs are
market access barriers that result from prohibitions, restrictions,
conditions or specific requirements and make exporting products difficult
and/or costly. The term covers any restriction or quota, charge, or
policy, other than traditional customs duties, domestic support programs,
discriminatory labeling and health standards, and exclusive business
practices which limit the access of imported goods. NTBs may result from
government or private sector actions.
Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) -
These are measures other than tariffs imposed by governments which
restrict imports with or without the intent to do so. Such barriers have
become more prevalent since the end of World War II. Since that time,
tariff rates have declined significantly while other forms of protection,
such as licensing and quotas, have risen.
Non-Tariff Measures - While
there is no specific definition of an NTM, some of the most commonly-used
NTMs include import quotas or other quantitative restrictions,
non-automatic import licensing, customs surcharges or other fees and
charges, customs procedures, export subsidies, unreasonable standards or
standards-setting procedures, government procurement restrictions,
inadequate intellectual property protection, and investment restrictions.
Participants in the Tokyo Round attempted to address these barriers
through the negotiations of a number of GATT codes, open for signature to
all GATT members. Seven codes were negotiated during the Tokyo Round,
covering customs valuations, import licensing, subsidies and
countervailing duties, antidumping duties, standards, government
procurement, and trade in civil aircraft. - Although the Tokyo Round codes
had alleviated some of the problems caused by non-tariff measures, overall
use of NTMs has increased since conclusion of the Tokyo Round.
Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) -
These differ from NTBs only in that they are actions by governments that
may eventual have restrictive implications on goods traded in the world
market. Though it cannot always be proven as such, an NTM is perceived as
having a restrictive effect.
non.d. - Non delivery
NonVessel Owning Carrier - An
NVOC is a firm which consolidates and disperses international containers
that originate at, or are bound for, inland ports.
NORAD - Norwegian Agency for
Development Cooperation
Nordic Council - The Nordic
Council, established in 1952, is directed toward supporting cooperation
among Nordic countries in communications, cultural, economics,
environmental,, fiscal, legal, and social areas. Members include: Denmark,
Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Council headquarters are in
Stockholm, Sweden.
Nordic Investment Bank - The
NIB, which began operating in December 1975, promotes economic cooperation
and development by providing resources and guarantees for exports and for
capital investment projects. Bank members include: Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Bank headquarters are in Helsinki, Finland.
North American Development Bank
- The NADBank, to be capitalized and governed by the United States and
Mexico, is intended to provide financing related to the North American
Free Trade Agreement. The NADBank will finance projects certified by the
Border Environment Cooperation Commission and support for community
adjustment and investment. Up to 10 percent of NADBank resources may be
made available for community adjustment and investment which need not be
in the border region. See: Border Environment Cooperation Commission.
North American Free Trade Agreement
- NAFTA, which entered into force in January 1994, is a free trade
agreement comprising Canada, the United States and Mexico. NAFTA exceeds
360 million consumers and a combined output of $6 trillion --approximately
20 percent larger than the European Community. NAFTA's consumer population
is slightly smaller than the European Economic Area which has over 380
million consumers. The Agreement: - Progressively eliminates almost all
U.S.-Mexico tariffs over a 10-year period, with a small number of tariffs
for trade-sensitive industries phased out over a 15-year period.
Mexico-Canada tariffs are also phased out over a 10-year period. Tariff
reduction schedules between the United States and Canada negotiated in the
Canadian Free Trade Agreement are retained. - Eliminates other barriers to
trade such as import licensing requirements and Customs user fees. -
Establishes the principle of national treatment, for ensuring that NAFTA-origin
products trade between NAFTA countries will receive treatment equal to
similar domestic products. - Guarantees service providers of the three
countries equal treatment in the NAFTA area, including the right to invest
and the right to sell services across borders. - Establishes five basic
principles to protect foreign investors and their investment int he free
trade area: (a) nondiscriminatory treatment, (b) freedom from performance
requirements, (c) free transference of funds related to an investment, (d)
expropriation only in conformity with international law, and (e) the right
to seek international arbitration f or a violation of the agreement's
protections. The Agreement contains special provisions for sensitive
economic sectors, including agriculture, automotive products, energy, and
textiles and apparel. The Agreement also created a Border Environment
Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank. See: Border
Environment Cooperation Commission North American Development Bank
Performance Requirements.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- NATO members include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France (which has only
partial membership), Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and
Germany. With the end of the "cold war," NATO's role, originally
defense-oriented is being redefined.
Norwegian Agency for Development
Cooperation - NORAD provides financing of project exports from Norway
to developing countries for development undertakings which contribute to
development and which can be sustained without future external assistance.
About 50 percent of Norwegian assistance is bilateral aid; the balance is
channelled as multialteral aid through UN specialized agencies and
financial institutions, including regional development banks. NORAD
bilaterial aid includes provisions for Norwegian private industrial sector
participation as suppliers of capital equipment and services and
technology. A portion of assistance may involve concessional financing for
Norwegian project exports, including mixed credits, export credit
guarantees, support for training in connection with project exports, and
tied co-financing on grant basis with the World Bank, the African
Development Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. NORAD assistance is
subject the OECD's Development Assistance Committee guidelines for
development assistance and associated financing. NORAD was established in
1968; headquarters are in Oslo, Norway.
notify party - Group, whose
name and address appear in a bill of lading, who is to be notified by the
shipping company of the arrival of goods at the discharge port. There is
normally a box on the bill of lading where the details of the notify party
are inserted.
NPIS - New Product Information
Service
NPV - Net present value
NRPB - Natural Resource Based
Products
nrt - Net registered tonnage
NTBs - Non-Tariff Barriers
NTDB - National Trade Data Bank
NTE - National Trade Estimates
Report, New-To-Export
NTF - Nigeria Trust Fund
NTM - New-To-Market
NTMs - Non-Tariff Measures
NVO-MTO - Non-vessel-operating
multimodal transport operator
NVOC - NonVessel Owning Carrier
NVOCC - Non-vessel-operating
common carrier
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