Handout 1

The importance of markets in Asian countries

Markets are very important to people who live in Asian countries. They supply people with food, clothing, spare parts, second-hand goods, household equipment and furniture and many people visit them daily to buy the things they need or want. The markets provide fresh food close to where people live. This is important because some parts of Asia can become very hot and it is difficult to keep food fresh.

These markets are not just places where people buy things. They are busy, colourful, noisy places where people come to meet, talk, make plans and take care of things they need for their family and religious life. Often, the price of goods is worked out after a lot of talk about what is a fair price between the person who is buying and the person who is selling. This is called 'bargaining'.