(a) State five reasons that would make a bank dishonor a customer's cheque. (b) State five reasons countries introduce restrictions in foreign trade.

Answer Details

(a) Five reasons that would make a bank dishonour a customer's cheque

1. Insufficient funds: The customer's account does not have enough money to cover the amount on the cheque.
2. Irregular or missing signature: The signature on the cheque differs from the specimen signature held by the bank, or the cheque is unsigned.
3. Post-dated or stale cheque: The cheque bears a future date, or it is stale (presented more than six months after the date on it).
4. Difference in amount: The amount written in words differs from the amount written in figures.
5. Countermanded payment (stop order): The drawer has instructed the bank in writing not to pay the cheque.

Other reasons include the death, insanity or bankruptcy of the drawer, a garnishee order on the account, and material alteration of the cheque not countersigned.

(b) Five reasons countries introduce restrictions in foreign trade

1. To protect infant (young) industries from being killed by cheap foreign competition.
2. To correct an unfavourable balance of payments by reducing imports and conserving foreign exchange.
3. To raise government revenue through import and export duties.
4. To prevent the importation of harmful or dangerous goods such as hard drugs and expired products.
5. To retaliate against the trade restrictions imposed by other countries.

Other reasons include preventing dumping and protecting local employment.