British Embassy research service helps UK exporters in the Gulf

The Overseas Market Introduction Service, or OMIS, puts UK companies directly in touch with embassy staff who can provide tailored local export advice and support.

OMIS is one of the many services for UK exporters offered by UK Trade and Investment, the government's lead department for helping British companies develop their export potential. The service is available across the global network of UK embassies, high commissions and consulates. Dubai is now the UK's tenth largest export market worldwide and the British Embassy in Dubai deals with a high volume of OMIS orders. The service is open to eligible UK companies who already have a presence in the Gulf but may wish to explore opportunities in neighbouring countries.

The aim of OMIS, which is a chargeable service, is to provide UK companies with the assistance and support they need to take the first steps into new overseas markets. Accurate and up-to-date information is crucial to the successful export of products or services. Embassy staffs are located 'on the ground' and can bring to bear experience, language skills, local market knowledge and extensive commercial contacts.

OMIS reports can provide a range of advice and support including overviews of particular sectors, market analysis, assessments of the export prospects for a product or service, advice on market entry strategies and the warming of potential business contacts and partners.

"Our customers often tell us that OMIS has opened doors and created new and exciting opportunities for them", said Mark Ellam, Second Secretary and OMIS manager at the British Embassy in Dubai.

Karl Brooks, Area Sales Manager for Marl International, which supplies LED lighting, said, "The OMIS report prepared for my trade mission to Dubai was invaluable for background information and the arranging of appointments with suitable companies in our market sector. Since April 2006 we have been asked to quote on £500K of business in the Dubai/Gulf area as a direct result of the visits arranged by the OMIS team. I would recommend anyone considering opening up business channels in Dubai to use the OMIS report service available."

Mr Gary Scaife, Director of NCS Ltd, a UK company offering energy saving solutions, wanted to find a spread of potential suitors for partnership in Dubai and gain information on how the market worked. He said, "The appointments generated by the Embassy were first class. We were in discussions with managing directors, general managers, and engineers at the highest level within their organisations".

Rod Smith, Managing Director of Smith Engineering, who visited Dubai in April 2006, commented that the OMIS service was better that he had anticipated and proved good value for money. He sees this as a necessary service for companies visiting an overseas market for the first time.