A & CP

Anchors and chains proved

A.A.D.

Annual aggregate deductible

A.B.

Able-bodied seaman

A.B.S.

American Bureau of Shipping is an American ship classification society.

A.C.A.S.

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

A.C.I.I.

Associate of Chartered Insurance Institute

A.C.V.

Air cushion vehicle (hovercraft)

A.F.

Advanced freight

A.F.B

Air freight bill

A.G.

Arabian Gulf

A.G.W.I.

Atlantic, Gulf, West Indies Limits

A.H.

After hatch;

A.H.F.

American hull form (insurance policy)

A.I.M.U.

American Institute of Marine Underwriters

A.I.R.M.I.C.

Association of Insurance and Risk Managers in Industry and Commerce Fonds Africain de Developpement, FAD) is an affiliate of the African Development Bank (AfDB) which provides interest-free loans to African countries for projects which promote economic and social development and improve international trade among members o -

A.M.I.

Absolute maximum loss

A.M.V.E.R.

Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue

A.N.

Arrival notice

A.O. Voy.

Any one voyage

A.O.B.

Any one bottom

A.O.E.

Any one event

A.O.L.

Any one loss

A.O.O.

Any one occurrence

A.O.R.

Any one risk

A.O.V.

Any one vessel

A.P.

Additional premium

A.P.L.

As per list

A.R.

All risks

A.S.E.A.N.

Association of South East Asian Nations

A.T.L.

Actual total loss

A.V.

Ad valorem according to value

A/C

Account current

A/E

Accept/ Except

A/H

Anchor Handling

A/O

Account of

A/P

Additional premium

A/R

All risks. Against all risks

A/S

After sight, Account sales, Alonside (chartering)

A/T

American terms (grain trade)

A/v

Average, ad valorem (according to value)

AA

Always afloat

AAAA

Always afloat and (always) accessible

AAC

Alaska Administrative Code

AADFI

Association of African Development Finance Institutions

AAEI

American Association of Exporters and Importers

AAIB

Arab-African International Bank

AAPA

American Association of Port Authority

AARA

Amsterdam-Antwerp-Rotterdam Area

AASO

Association of American Shipowners

AATP

Association of African Trade Promotion Organizations

AB

Above bridges

ABC

American Business Center

ABCA

Association des Banques Centrales Africaines

ABCU

Automated Bridge Control System For Unattended Engine Room

ABEDA

Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa

ABI

American Business Initiative, Automated Broker Interface

ABI-AUTOMATED BROKER INTERFACE

A system available to brokers with the computer capabilities and customs certification to transmit and exchange customs entries and other information, facilitating the prompt release of imported cargo.

ABS

American Bureau of Shipping: A U.S.-based private classification, or standards setting society for merchant ships and other marine systems.

ABT

About

ABTA

Association of British Travel Agents

ABV

Above

ACAB

Association of Central African Banks

ACC

Arab Cooperation Council

ACCJ

American Chamber of Commerce in Japan

ACCT

Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation

ACDA

Arms Control and Disarmament Agency

ACEP

Advisory Committee on Export Policy

ACH

Automated Clearinghouse

ACOT

Advisory Committee of Offshore Technology

ACP

African, Caribbean and Pacific States

ACPC

Association of Coffee Producing Countries

ACPT

Acceptance

ACS

Automated Commercial System

ACTPN

Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations

ACU

Asian Clearing Union

AD

Antidumping

AD Valorem Tariff

A tariff assessed as a percentage of the value of the goods cleared through customs. For example, 10 percent Ad Valorem means the tariff is 10 percent of the value of the goods.

ADA

All Details About

ADB

Asian Development Bank

ADCOM

Address commission

ADD

Address

ADD. COMM

Address commission

ADDCOMM

Address commission

ADEC

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

ADF

African Development Foundation, African Development Fund, Asian Development Fund

ADFAED

Abu Dhabi Fund for Arab Economic Development

ADFT

AFT draft

ADMEASUREMENT

The confirmed or official dimensions of a ship.

ADMIRALTY COURT

A court having jurisdiction over maritime questions pertaining to ocean transport, including contracts, charters, collisions, and cargo damages.

ADNR

Department of Natural Resources (State Agency)

ADRs

American Depository Receipts

ADS

Agent Distributor Service ADS provides a custom search overseas for interested and qualified foreign representatives on behalf of a U.S. exporter. Officers abroad conduct the search and prepare a report identifying up to six foreign prospects that have examined the U.S. firm's product literature and have expressed interest in representing the U.S. firm's products.

ADV

Advise

ADV.

Advise

ADVISING BANK

A bank operating in the exporter's country that handles letters of credit for a foreign bank by notifying the exporter that the credit has been opened in his favor.

AECA

Arms Export Control Act

AEF

Africa Enterprise Fund

AEN

Administrative Exception Note

AERP

Automated Export Reporting Program

AF

Advanced freight

AFA

All Figures About

AFCSPS

Arrival first compulsory sea pilot station

AFESD

Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

AFFREIGHTMENT

The hiring of a ship in whole or part

AFFREIGHTMENT, CONTRACT OF

An agreement by a steamship line to provide cargo space on a vessel at a specified time and for a specified price to accommodate an exporter or importer who then becomes liable for payment even though he is later unable to make the shipment.

AFMT

After fixing main terms

AFRA

Average freight rate assessments

AFRAMAX

Tankers of about 70-110,000 DWT

AFSPS

Arrival First Sea Pilot Station

AFT

At or towards the stern or rear of a ship

AFTA

ASEAN Free Trade Area

AFTRN

Afternoon

AG

Aktiengesellschaft, Australia Group

AGENCY AGREEMENT

An agreement whereby the steamship line appoints the steamship agent and defines the specific duties and areas of responsibility of that agent.

AGRD

Agreed

AGRICOLA

Agricultural OnLine Access

AGRIPODS

Agricultural products

AGRIS

Agriculture Information System

AGRT

Agreement

AGW

All going well

AGW WP

All going well weather permitting

AH

After hatch; Range of ports between and including Antwerp and Hamburg

AHL

Australian hold ladders

AHS

Annual Hull Survey

AHT

Anchor handling tug

AHT (ANCHOR-HANDLING TUG)

Moves anchors and tow drilling vessels, lighters and similar.

AHTS (ANCHOR-HANDLING TUG/SUPPLY)

Combined supply and anchor-handling ship. Seismic ship: Conducts seismic surveys to map geological structures beneath the seabed.

AIB

Arab International Bank

AIBD

Association of International Bond Dealers

AID

Agency for International Development

AIES

Automated Information Exchange System

AIG

Airbus Industries Group

AIMS

Agriculture Information and Marketing Services

AIR DRAFT

Length between water level and vessel's rail

AIS

Automatic Identification System - Real-time ship identification. All ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages and cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages and passenger ships irrespe

AIST

Agency for Industrial Science Technology

AIT

American Institute in Taiwan

AK

Alaska

AKA

Ausfuhrkredit-Gesellschaft

ALADI

Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion

ALIDE

Association Latinoamericana de Institutiones Financieras, de Desarrollo

ALLI

Annual Load Line Inspection

ALU

ALUminium

AM

Ante meridiem, before noon

AMD

Average Most Probable Discharge

AMF

Arab Monetary Fund

AMS

Agricultural Marketing Service, Automated Manifest System

AMSC

African Management Services Company

AMT

Amount

AMU

Arab Maghreb Union

AMWELSH

Americanised welsh coal charter party

ANF

Arrival notification form

ANSI

American National Standards Institute

ANTHAM

Antwerp - Hamburg range

ANTI-TRUST EXEMPTION

The immunity from prosecution under the Sherman Act, granted to steamship companies in 1916, in recognition of the special services and value American Flag merchant vessels provide in the defense of the country in time of war.

AOB

As On Board

AOG

Act of God

AOR-E

Atlantic Ocean Region East

AOR-W

Atlantic Ocean Region West

AOSIS

Alliance of Small Island States

AP

Administrative Protective Order

APAC

Auto Parts Advisory Committee

APD

Alaska Petroleum Distributors and Transporters

APDF

Africa Project Development Facility

APEC

Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation

APF

Afloat Prepositioning Force

APG

Arabian Persian Gulf

API

American Petroleum Institute

APS

Arrival Pilot Station or At Pilot Station

APT

After peak tank

AR

Antwerp - Rotterdam range; Arrived

ARA

Antwerp - Rotterdam - Amsterdam range

ARAG

Amsterdam - Rotterdam - Antwerp - Gent range

ARAGH

Antwerp - Rotterdam - Amsterdam - Ghent range

ARAZ

Antwerp - Rotterdam - Amsterdam - Zeebrugge range

ARB

Arbitration

ARH

Antwerp - Rotterdam - Hamburg range

ARHB

Antwerp - Rotterdam - Hamburg - Bremen range

ARND

Around

ARPA

Automatic Radar Plotting Aid

ARS

African Regional Organization for Standardization

ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT

The document containing all particulars relating to the terms of agreement between the Master of the vessel and the crew. Sometimes called ship's articles, shipping articles.

AS

Annual Survey

ASA

Always safely afloat

ASAP

As soon as possible

ASBA

American Shipbrokers Association

ASEAN

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

ASEAN Free Trade Area

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed in January 1992 to create a free trade area (ASEAN Free Trade Area, or AFTA) with use of a common effective preferential tariff. Under the agreement ASEAN members will cut tariff rates within 15 y

ASF

Asian Shipowners'' Forum

ASPW

Any Safe Port in the World

ASTERN

A backward direction in the line of a vessel's fore and aft line; behind. If a vessel moves backwards it is said to move astern; opposite to ahead.

ASTM

American Society for Testing and Materials

AT SEA

In marine insurance this phrase applies to a ship which is free from its moorings and ready to sail.

ATA

Actual Time of arrival

ATDN

Any time day and night

ATDNSHINC

Any Time Day/Night Sundays and Holidays included

ATDON

At day or night

ATN

Aids to Navigation

ATRS

American Tank Rate Schedule

ATS

Actual time saved or All time saved

ATSB or ATSBE

All time saved both ends

ATSDO

All time saved discharging only

ATUTC

Actual Times Used to Count

AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL SYSTEM (ACS)

The electronic system of the U.S. Customs Service, encompassing a variety of industry sectors, that permits on-line access to information in selected areas.

AUTOMATED MANIFEST SYSTEM (AMS)

The electronic system allowing a manifest inventory to be transmitted to the U.S. Customs Service data center by carrier, port authority, or service center computers.

AUX

Auxiliary

AVCAT

Aviation Category

AVGAS

Aviation Gasoline

AWB

Air way bill

AWES

Association of Western European Shipbuilders

AWH

Available workable hatches

AWIWL

Always Within Institute Warranty Limits

AWRI

Additional War Risk Insurance

AWTSBE

All working time saved both ends

AWTSDO

All working time saved discharging only

AWTSLO

All working time saved loading only

Abaft

A point beyond the midpoint of a ships length, towards the rear or stern.

Abandon

A proceeding wherein a shipper/consignee seeks authority to abandon all or parts of their cargo.

Abatement

A discount allowed for damage or overcharge in the payment of a bill.

Abdnt.

Abandonment

Aboard

Referring to cargo being put, or laden, onto a means of conveyance.

Absorption

Absorption is investment and consumption purchases by households,businesses, and governments, both domestic and imported. When absorption exceeds production, the excess is the country's current account deficit.

Abt.

About

Abu Dhabi Fund for Arab Economic Development.

ADFAED promotes economic and social development in African, Arab, and Asian developing countries. The Fund, which was created in July 1971, began operations in September 1974; headquarters are in Abu Dhabi

Acc.

Acceptance. Accepted

Accession

Accession is the process by which a country becomes a member of an international agreement, such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) or the European Community. Accession to the GATT involves negotiations to determine the specific obligat

Acct

Account

Ad Val

Ad Valorem

Ad Valorem

Literally: according to value. Any charge, tax, or duty that is applied as a percentage of value.

Ad Valorem Equivalent

AVE is the rate of duty which would have been required on dutiable imports under that item, if the United States customs value of such imports were based on the United States port of entry value.

Ad. val.

Ad valorem-according to value

Administrative Exception Notes

CoCom controls exports at three levels, depending on the item and the proposed destination. At the lowest level, national discretion (also called administrative exception), a member nation may approve the export on its own, but CoCom must be notified

Administrative Protective Order

An Administrative Protective Order, APO, is used to protect proprietary data that is obtained during an administrative proceeding. Within Commerce, APO is most frequently used in connection with Antidumping and Countervailing Duty investigations to prohi

Administrative Review

Each year, beginning on the anniversary of the date of publication of an antidumping duty order, the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration is required to review and determine the amount of any antidumping duty, if an interested party re

Advanced Technology Products

About 500 of some 22,000 commodity classification codes used in reporting U.S. merchandise trade are identified as advanced technology codes and they meet the following criteria: -The code contains products whose technology is from a recognized high tec

Advisory Committee on Export Policy

The Advisory Committee on Export Policy, ACEP, is an interagency dispute resolution body that operates at the Assistant Secretary level. ACEP is chaired by Commerce; membership includes the Departments of Defense, Energy, and State, the Arms Control and

Advisory Committee on Trade Negotiations (ACT

A group appointed by the U.S. President to advise him on matters of trade policy and related issues, including trade agreements.

Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negoti

The ACTPN is a group (membership of 45; two-year terms) appointed by the President to provide advice on matters of trade policy and related issues, including trade agreements. The 1974 Trade Act requires the ACTPN's establishment and broad representation

Advocacy Center

The Advocacy Center, established in November 1993, facilitates high-level U.S. official advocacy to assist U.S. firms competing for major projects and procurements worldwide. The Center is directed by the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee; offices ar

AfDB

African Development Bank

AfDF

African Development Fund

Affiliate

An affiliate is a business enterprise located in one country which is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a person of another country to the extent of 10 percent or more of its voting securities for an incorporated business enterprise or an equi

Affiliated Foreign Group

An affiliated foreign group means (a) the foreign parent, (b) any foreign person, proceeding up the foreign parent's ownership chain, which owns more than 50 percent of the person below it up to and including that person which is not owned more than 50 pe

Africa Enterprise Fund

The AEF, operating under the International Finance Corporation, began operations in late 1989. The Fund assists small and medium-size enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa, supports investment projects, and promotes development of private enterprises in Afri

Africa Project Development Facility

The APDF seeks to accelerate development of productive enterprises sponsored by private African entrepreneurs as a means of generating self-sustained economic growth and productive employment in Sub-Saharan Africa. The facility provides advisory services

African Development Bank

AfDB (French: Banque Africaine de Developpement) provides financing through direct loans to African member states to cover the foreign exchange costs incurred in Bank-approved development projects in those countries. Fifty-one African countries are member

African Development Foundation

ADF provides economic assistance to groups and institutions involved in development projects at the local level. The foundation's assistance, designed as a complement to the U.S. foreign aid program, is awarded only to native African organizations and in

African Export-Import Bank

AFREXIMBANK offers short-term export trade financing to African exporters aimed at enhancing intra-African trade and Africa's exports. Agreement to create the bank was basedon a January 1993 agreement reached in Cairo, Egypt among African governments, ce

African Management Services Company

AMSCO provides temporary managers and management training to support the development of African companies. AMSCO works through a network of representatives in Africa; its clients include privately owned companies, public sector companies, and subsidiarie

African Regional Organization for Standardiza

ARSO (French: Organisation Regionale Africaine de Normalisation, ORAN) promotes and coordinates standardization, quality control, certification, and metrology practices in Africa. The Organization has been developing African Regional Standards (ARS) in

After Date

A term used on a draft, bill of exchange or note indicating the date from which a draft will begin counting days until maturity. If an exporter draws a draft and stipulates a payment 30 days after date, the draft is due 30 days from the date on which it

Agence de Cooperation Culterelle et Technique

The ACCT (English: Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation) was created in 1970 to promote cultural and technical cooperation among French-speaking countries. Members include: Belgium, Benin, Burkina. Burundi, Canada, Central African Republic, Ch

Agency for International Development

AID was created in 1961 to administer foreign economic assistance programs of the U.S. Government. AID has field missions and representatives in approximately 70 developing countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Near East.

Agent/Distributor Service

The Agent/Distributor Service, ADS, is an International Trade Administration (ITA) fee-based service which locates foreign import agents and distributors.

Aggregates Carrier

A single deck cargo vessel for the carriage of aggregates in bulk. Also known as a Sand Carrier. May be self discharging

Agrementx

Agreement by one government to accept the accreditation of an ambassador from another government.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Among its activities, the Agriculture Deparment's AMS is available to foreign buyers to assure that any product shipped overseas meets contract specifications. The service is operated on a user-fee basis. AMS works with the buyers to write a specificati

Agricultural Officers

Agricultural officers are embassy officials who are responsible for addressing agricultural trade policy issues and preparing reports on agricultural commodities such as rice, wheat, and dairy products. These officers promote U.S. exports by providing ma

Agt.

Agent, Against, Agreement

Aide-Memoire

A short written summary of oral remarks made to a foreign government representative and left with that individual.

Air Cargo Agent

A type of freight forwarder who specializes in air cargo and acts for airlines that pay him a fee (usually 5%). The Air Cargo Agent is registered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Air Cushion Vehicle Crew Boat

An air cushioned vehicle or hovercraft specifically designed as a crew boat

Air Cushion Vehicle Passenger

An air cushion vehicle or hovercraft used for the purpose of transporting passengers

Air Cushion Vehicle Passenger/Ro-Ro Ship (Vehicles)

An air cushion vehicle or hovercraft used for the purpose of transporting passengers and ro-ro vehicles

Air Cushion Vehicle Patrol Vessel

An air cushion vehicle or hovercraft used as a patrol vessel (perhaps change to work vessel)

Air Cushion Vehicle Research

An air cushioned vehicle or hovercraft specifically designed as a research vessel

Air Cushion Vehicle, work vessel

An air cushioned vehicle or hovercraft specifically designed as a work vessel

Air Freight Forwarder

A type of freight forwarder who specializes in air cargo. The Air Freight Forwarder usually consolidates the air shipments of various exporters, charging them for actual weight and deriving his profit by paying the airline the lower consolidated rate. He

Air Waybill

An AWB is a bill of lading which covers both domestic and international flights transporting goods to a specified destination. Technically, it is a non-negotiable instrument of air transport which serves as a receipt for the shipper, indicating that the

Air Waybill (Of Lading)

A signed receipt and a contract to deliver goods by air. Such bills are non-negotiable and do not convey title to the goods as do To Orders bills of lading used by ocean and land carriers. The title passes to the party to whom the goods are consigned (t

Airbus Industries Group

AIG is a supernational management organization responsible for design, development, manufacture, marketing, sales and support of selected commercial aircraft. Member countries are France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Airbus Industrie, G.I.E.

Aircraft Agreement (ATCA)

Formally known as the ''Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft.'' (ATCA), this MTN agreement is the only major sector-specific civil aircraft agreement. It establishes a framework of rules governing the conduct of trade in civil aircraft based on commercial

Aircraft Carrier

A combat vessel designed to enable the carriage, take off and landing of aircraft

Aktiengesellschaft

AG (German, meaning: stock company) is a corporation with a separate legal personality which must have at least five partners. The firm name usually reflects the activities of the company and must include AG.

Alcohol Tanker

A tanker for the bulk carriage of alcohol

Amended B/L

B/L requiring updates that do not change financial status; this is slightly different from corrected B/L.

Amendments

Article XXX of the GATT Agreement provides that amendments (that become effective upon acceptance by two thirds of the Contracting Parties) are to be effective only for those parties which accept them.

American Business Center

The ABC program provides U.S. companies which are exploring or establishing commercial opportunities in the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union with business services such as telephone and fax, temporary office space, market information, a

American Business Initiative

The ABI, or American Business and Private Sector Development Initiative for Eastern Europe, emphasizes the export of American telecommunciations, energy, environment, housing, and agriculture products and services to Eastern European countries.

American Depository Receipts

ADRs are negotiable receipts for the securities of a foreign company which are kept in the vaults of an American bank, allowing Americans to trade the foreign securities in the United States while accruing any dividends and capital gains.

American Institute in Taiwan

The AIT is a non-profit corporation that represents U.S. commerical, cultural, and other interests in Taiwan in lieu of an embassy. In 1979, the United States terminated formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan when it recognized the People's Republic of

American Traders Index

The American Traders Index, ATI, is the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service headquarters compilation of individual US domestic client files, for use by overseas posts to generate mailing lists.

Anchor Handling Tug Supply

An offshore tug/supply ship equipped with a high bollard pull and a stern roller for anchor handling

Anchor handling Vessel

A vessel equipped to assist with the handling of anchors in coastal waters

Andean Group

The Andean Group (Spanish: Grupo Andino; sometimes referred to as Pacto Andino or Corporation Adino de Fomento; formal reference is Acuerdo de Cartegana in recognition of the Group's establishment in Cartegena in October 1969) is an association of Latin

Andean Reserve Fund

The Andean Reserve Fund (Spanish: Fondo Andina de Reservas), associated with the Andean Group, was established to strengthen the balance of payments positions of member countries by offering credit, guarantee loans, and promoting compatibility among memb

Andean Trade Preference Act

The ATPA is a unilateral trade benefit program designed to promote economic development through private sector initiative in the four Andean countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The ATPA encourages alternatives to coca cultivation and produ

Anti-Dumping Clause

A tariff imposed to discourage sale of foreign goods in the United States market at very low prices (below foreign country's domestic market) which might hurt U.S. manufacturers.

Antidumping

Antidumping, as a reference to the system of laws to remedy dumping, is defined as a converse of dumping.

Antidumping Duty

A duty assessed on imported merchandise which is subject to an antidumping duty order. The antidumping duty is assessed on an entry-by-entry basis in an amount equal to the difference between the United States price of that entry and the foreign market v

Antidumping Duty Order

A notice issued following final determination of sales at less than fair value and material injury, or threat of material injury, providing for the imposition of antidumping duties.

Antidumping Investigation Notice

The notice published in the Federal Register announcing the initiation of an antidumping investigation. An investigation must be initiated within 20 days of the filing of a valid petition.

Antidumping Petition

A petition filed on behalf of an affected United States industry, alleging that foreign merchandise is being sold in the United States at less than fair value and that such sales are causing or threatening material injury to, or materially retarding the

Antidumping/Countervailing Duty System

The Antidumping/Countervailing Duty System, a part of Customs' Automated Commercial System, contains a case reference database and a statistical reporting system to capture data for International Trade Commission reports on antidumping and countervailing

Appd.

Approved

Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa

The ABEDA (French: Banque Arabe pour le Developpement Economique en Afrique -- BADEA) was created by the League of Arab States in November 1973 (began operations in March 1975) to promote economic and technical cooperation between Arab and African states

Arab Cooperation Council

The ACC was created in 1989 to promote economic cooperation and integration. Members include Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and North Yemen. The ACC, partly intended as a counterpart to Gulf Cooperation Council, was created one day subsequent to the establishment

Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

AFESD promotes regional economic integration and social development in Arab states. Members include: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia,

Arab International Bank

The AIB provides financing to support development of foreign trade among member nations and other Arab states. The Bank was established in October 1971; headquarters are in Cairo, Egypt. Member include: the governments of Oman, Qatar, and United Arab E

Arab Maghreb Union

The AMU (French: Union du Maghreb Arabe, UMA) encompasses Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. The Union was established in February 1989 to foster integration of the Maghreb economy. The Union also seeks to join the AMU and the Gulf Coope

Arab Monetary Fund

The AMF, originally aimed at correcting chronic deficits in the balance of payments in most member states, promotes Arab integration in monetary and economic affairs. The Fund's priorities have included: (a) addressing payments imbalances, (b) creating

Arab Trade Financing Program

The ATFP promotes trade among Arab countries and exports from Arab countries. The Program was established in 1989 by the Arab Monetary Fund; headquarters are in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Arab-African International Bank

ous buying and selling of the same commodity or foreign exchange in two or more markets in order to take advantage of price differentials.

Arbitrage

The practice of exchanging the currency of one country for that of another or a series of countries to gain an advantage from the differences in exchange rates

Arbitration Clause

A clause in a sales contract outlining the method under which disputes will be settled

Arms Control and Disarmament Agency

ACDA is an independent agency within the State Department. ACDA participates in interagency working groups that discuss export license applications requiring dispute resolution. ACDA is interested in dual-use license applications from a non-proliferatio

Arr. T. L.

Arranged total loss

Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supp

The Arrangement is an international agreement under Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development auspices governing the conditions -- such as interest rate, repayment term, and cash downpayment -- of medium- and long-term official export credit;

AsDF

Asian Development Fund

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

APEC, established in November 1989, is an informal grouping of Asia Pacific countries that provides a forum for Ministerial level discussion of a broad range of economic issues. APEC includes the six ASEAN countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippi

Asian Clearing Union

The ACU promotes regional trade and economic cooperation, including arrangements to conserve foreign exhcange and encourage domestic currencies in trade. Members include Bangladesh, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka; Bhutan, Malaysia.

Asian Development Bank

The ADB helps finance economic development in developing countries in the Asian and Pacific area through the provision of loans on near-market terms, with its Ordinary Capital Resources (OCR), and on concessional terms, through the Asian Development Fund

Asian Development Fund

The ADF (or AsDF), an affiliate of the Asian Development Bank, lends funds on concessionary terms to the Bank's least developed member countries.

Asphalt/Bitumen Tanker

A tanker for the bulk carriage of asphalt/bitumen at temperatures between 150 and 200 deg C

Assessment

The imposition of antidumping duties on imported merchandise.

Association of African Development Finance In

AADFI (French: Association des Institutions Africaines de Financement du Developpement, AIAFD) promotes cooperative financing for social development in Africa and economic integration. The Association was established in March 1975; headquarters are in A

Association of African Trade Promotion Organi

AATPO promotes inter-African trade, harmonization of commercial policies, communication among African states in trade matters, and research and training. The organization, which has about 26 members, was established in 1975 under the auspieces of the Org

Association of Central African Banks

ACAB (French: Association des Banques Centrales Africanines, ABCA) promotes cooperation among monetary, banking, and financial institutions in Africa. Members include two African regional banks and about 32 national banks. The Association was created i

Association of International Bond Dealers

The AIBD provides a forum for over 500 members from 30 countries to review international securities market matters. The primary objectives of the Association are to provide a basis for examinaitn and discussion of questions relating to the secondary mark

Attack Vessel, Naval

A combat vessel which is designed for high speed with a limited weaponry for rapid attack manoeuvres

Auditing

The process carried out to assess the operating standards of a company or a business and the degree of compliance.