A:To get around your difficulty,Mr.Schmidt,I’d suggest that you reduce your order by half.You can send in an additional order later.

B:Well,I’ll consider the possibility.By the way,when do I have to open the L/C if I want the goods to be delivered in June?

A:One month before the time you want the goods to be delivered.

B:Could you possibly effect shipment more promptly?

A:Getting the goods ready,making out the documents and booking the shipping space—all this takes time,you know.You cannot expect us to make delivery in less than a month.

B:Very well,Mr.Zhang.I’ll not reduce my order.I’ll take the full quantity you offer.And I’ll arrange for the L/C to be opened in your favour as soon as I get home.

A:When will that be?

B:Early next month.In the meantime,I should be very pleased if you would get everything ready.I hope that the goods can be dispatched promptly after you get my L/C.

A:You can be rest assured of that.We’ll place the order and inquire for the shipping space now so that shipment can be effected within two or three weeks of receiving of your L/C.

B:That’ll be fine.I appreciate your cooperation.

A:Very good.Thank you for placing a large order with us.Our discussion has been very pleasant and fruitful.I sincerely hope that the volume of trade between us will be even greater in the future.

B:By the way,Mr.Zhang,I have the intention of forming into a joint venture with you on Chinese arts and crafts in our market.Would you consider this proposal?

A:Well,that is a good proposal because we complement each other in business.A few of our friends from Europe have also suggested that we participate in joint enterprises with them dealing in some of our arts and craft goods.We think there are a lot of details to go into.

B:If you feel our proposal is appropriate,we’ll go back and draft a memorandum of intention.It is estimated that business to the extent of over twenty million euros can be done in this manner.

A:Naturally,I appreciate your efforts in pushing the sale of Chinese arts and crafts.But I’m not in a position to discuss your proposal today.I must first talk to our director,and discuss it with you some other time.

B:Alright.Anyway,I’ll be staying here for another two weeks.But I’m looking forward to having something done about this.

A:We’ll talk about it in detail next time.Now that everything is settled,let’s have a cup of tea,and get our minds off business for a change.