Final answer:
The terms 'mother hen', 'piggyback exporter', and 'export vendor' refer to an Export Trading Company, which assists domestic companies in exporting their goods to international markets. These companies provide market research, logistics, and sometimes financing, helping smaller companies to navigate the complexities of international trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
'Mother hen', 'piggyback exporter', and 'export vendor' are terms that refer to an Export Trading Company (ETC). An ETC helps companies in domestic markets to export their products by taking advantage of the ETC's knowledge, expertise, and networks. These companies essentially 'piggyback' on the ETC's resources to reach international markets which they may find difficult to penetrate on their own. Export Trading Companies can assist businesses with various aspects of exporting including market research, foreign distribution, logistics, and sometimes even financing. The term 'mother hen' relates to the way ETCs take smaller companies under their wing, guiding them through the complex process of moving their goods to foreign markets. In contrast, a 'piggyback exporter' refers to a company that exports its goods by using the distribution systems of another company, which can often be facilitated by an ETC. 'Export vendor' is another name for an ETC when it directly sells goods on behalf of another business.
It is important to differentiate an ETC from the other options given in the question. An Export License is a government document that authorizes the export of specific goods in specific quantities to a particular destination. A Freight Forwarder is a firm that specializes in arranging storage and shipping of merchandise on behalf of its shippers. Finally, a Countertrade Arrangement is a trade between two countries by which goods are exchanged for other goods rather than for hard currency.