The term "invisible export" refers to the exportation of services rather than physical goods, such as tourism, financial services, or intellectual property. The word "invisible" is pronounced /ɪnˈvɪzəbəl/, with the stress on the second syllable and the vowel in the first syllable being pronounced as the "ih" sound as in "sit". Similarly, the word "export" is pronounced /ˈɛkspɔrt/, with the stress on the first syllable and the vowel in the second syllable pronounced as the "aw" sound as in "saw".
An invisible export refers to the sale or provision of services by individuals or businesses located in one country to recipients or clients in another country. Unlike tangible goods or products that can be physically transported across borders, invisible exports involve intangible services that cannot be seen or touched. These services are typically knowledge-based and include sectors such as finance, consulting, telecommunication, tourism, software development, and education.
Invisible exports play a crucial role in a country's economy, as they contribute significantly to its overall trade balance and economic growth. They represent an important component of the balance of payments, which records all economic transactions between residents and non-residents. Invisible exports are recorded as a positive item in the balance of payments as they represent an inflow of funds into the country.
The term "invisible export" distinguishes these services from tangible or visible exports, which refer to the physical transportation of goods from one country to another. While the term "invisible" implies that these services are not readily seen or observed, their impact on a country's economy is substantial. Invisible exports often require a high level of expertise, and countries may develop specialized industries or sectors to cater to the growing demand for services in the international market.
In summary, invisible exports encompass the sale or provision of intangible services by individuals or businesses across national boundaries. These services are vital to a country's economy, contribute to its trade balance, and represent a significant source of revenue and economic growth.
The term "invisible export" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two words with well-established origins.
The word "export" comes from the Latin word "exportare", which means "to carry out". It evolved through Middle French and Middle English to its current usage, referring to sending goods or services from one country to another for trade or sale.
The term "invisible" was added to describe certain types of exports that are not tangible goods. It derives from the Latin word "invisibilis", meaning "not visible", combining the prefix "in-" (not) with "visibilis" (visible). In this context, "invisible" refers to services, such as tourism, insurance, banking, consulting, or intellectual property rights that cannot be physically seen or touched.
The combination of these two words, "invisible export", emerged to distinguish between physical or tangible exports and intangible or service-based exports.