Home / Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS)
Project part-financed by the European Union
The Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) is a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) service which aims to provide a more customer-focused service to British business. OMIS is a new way of putting you directly in touch with the UKTI staff in overseas offices who can give you focused business advice and visit support.
Each business and each market is unique. UKTI aims to provide you with assistance through research and advice for customers looking to make those initial approaches into new overseas markets. UKTI overseas experts can propose a programme of support and advice at the service level you have chosen. They will discuss the options with you before drawing up your work-plan. This will include firm delivery dates for key reports.
There are no set packages, only an intention to identify and provide the support and advice that will be most helpful to your business.
If you have a UK address, and produce, design or manufacture your product or service in the UK, UKTI should be able to help you with an OMIS service. Even if you do not, if you can demonstrate that you are adding significant value, or producing a significant benefit for the UK, UKTI will look at your request individually.
If you feel that the OMIS service is the next step required to progress your company towards becoming a successful exporter, UKTI would like to discuss your requirements with you. If you need any further information about OMIS our trade advisers are ready to work with you to create a bespoke plan for breaking into the market of your choice.
OMIS is currently available in all countries where UKTI has representation. It is delivered as an online service in the markets listed below. The online service allows you to directly communicate with both UKTI overseas and UK offices and is the most effective way of providing you with instant access to the information we provide as part of the service.
Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica*, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala**, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latin America & Caribbean Unit***, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands (The), New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK Representative (Brussels), United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen
* also covers Nicaragua
** also covers El Salvador and Honduras
*** Latin America & Carribean Market Intelligence Unit is based in the British Consulate, Miami. Drawing on its knowledge of South Florida as a trading gateway into Latin America and the Carribean, the unit can help UK companies make the most of opportunites in the region.
There are five levels of service priced at £250, £500, £1000, £1,500 and £2,000.
They are built around the typical requirements of businesses making their first steps into a new overseas market. All provide a flexible blend of preparatory advice and research, and support when you visit the market.
Previously, clients using OMIS were required to re-apply and open a new account with UKTI for each OMIS request. However, some clients prefer to work over a longer period, examining different markets in turn. For these clients, UKTI is now usually able to offer a ‘retainer’ facility, in which an ongoing business account can be opened for a client, which can be returned to when required.
To ensure your new market entry is as smooth as possible there is a great deal of practical assistance on offer before, during and after your market visit:
UKTI’s overseas experts will propose a programme of support and advice that fits the level you have chosen. This work-plan could propose:
Our research proposals will reflect local conditions, and could include advice on competitors, local regulation, standards, etc. However, UKTI cannot offer legal or credit-worthiness advice.
UKTI staff might also assist with:
They may also recommend a face-to-face discussion when you visit the market, or in advance, where facilities allow it, by video-conference.
For further information see this UKTI guide to OMIS services or visit the OMIS section of the UKTI website.
