Where to go next?

Once you have considered the information contained on our Overseas Business Risk pages you will need to seek further information on the market you plan to export to.

This could include seeking in depth analysis of the country or exploring services aimed at mitigating specific risks - whether putting protective security in place or conducting due diligence on potential partners.

Overseas Business Risk provides a number of links to parts of Government that provide advice on risks that firms can face, from bribery to cyber crime.

But as well as assistance from Government, a number of private sector providers could assist you with advice on entering new markets and mitigating risks.

Further market research

The Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) is a charged service offered to UK businesses by UKTI to directly connect them with local expertise. OMIS operates in all markets where UKTI has a presence.

The service offers a wide range of activities and a simple pricing structure to provide clients with a flexible and personalised journey. Activities can include:

• market advice,

• analysis of market entry strategies,

• identification of possible business partners,

• arranging meetings with key contacts in the country, and

• support during overseas visits or bespoke events such as product launches.

You should also read our market profiles and associated ‘doing business in..’ guides

Also ensure that you read travel advice and country profiles on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website.

Legal advice

When entering a new market you should always consider seeking professional advice on local laws – whether local employment practices, tax or health and safety rules.

Our Embassies and High Commissions provide lists of English speaking lawyers via their websites.

The Law Society also provides list of legal professionals who could assist you.

Insurance

If you are new to international trade you will need to asses a range of potential risks - from physical loss or damage to goods through to non-payment by your customers.

The gov.uk website contains a range of useful information on:

• Doing business in and outside the EU

• Sector overviews and regulations

• Customs procedures and systems

• Export and import licences

• Moving your goods

• Tax in international trade

UK export finance

UK Export Finance, a government department and the UK export credit agency, complements the private market by providing assistance to exporters, principally in the form of insurance and guarantees to banks. UK Export Finance provides cover, where the cover is not available from the private sector. UK Export Finance provides services, such as insuring UK exporters against non-payment by their overseas buyers and helping overseas buyers to purchase goods and services from UK exporters by guaranteeing bank loans to finance those purchases. For an overview of the services provided by UK Export Finance, please see the Quick Guide to UK Export Finance.

Risk & security

You may wish to consider engaging specialist risk and security services. These can assist in:

• Understanding the political, commercial, security and integrity environment in the pre-investment phase of the business cycle.

• Delivering due diligence on potential partners, suppliers or clients.

• Providing risk and security management support, including, security design, risk management, business continuity and protective security services.

• Advice and incident response for staff working or travelling overseas

Although there is no single access point for companies operating in these areas, A|D|S (the principal trade organisation for UK companies operating in the Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space sectors) can provide information on a number of companies delivering these services through their online directory or their Security in Complex Environments Group. The SCEG is partnered with the UK Government for the delivery of standards and regulation in this area.

We encourage companies considering the hire of private security in dangerous or high risk areas to use companies that have signed up to the principles of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers. UK national standards for land and maritime private security companies should be in place by mid-2013. By that time it should be possible to employ private security companies that have been independently audited as meeting these or other internationally recognised standards.

Disclaimer

This information is provided solely for information purposes.  Her Majesty's Government does not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions, or for the competence or probity of any firm or individual, or for the consequences of any action initiated or advice given.  Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.  In no event will Her Majesty’s Government be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of the information on this website.

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You can also call the UKTI enquiry line: +44 (0)20 7215 5000 or contact your local trade team and talk with one of UKTI’s country specialists. Or you can gain country specific information on our Overseas Business Risk country pages.