Market Intelligence is a view of a market using existing sources of information to understand what is happening in a market place, what the issues are and what the likely market potential is. Market intelligence from external data is normally gathered through desk research or through country representatives. Desk Research involves sourcing and analyzing published information to build a picture of a market and to try and answer some specific commercial questions such as what is the market potential. Market Intelligence could identify who your competitors are and analyze their market position against yours to find strengths and weaknesses and indications of new developments.

Related to desk research is list building. This involves seeking out lists of likely prospects or partners for relationship or network building and finding out key information about the company for marketing purposes. A specific form of Market Intelligence is competitive intelligence. This is typically undertaken on an on-going basis and involves the collection of news, materials and other information about competitors from a wide variety of sources. Because of its on-going nature, Competitive intelligence is more about putting structures in place than specifically finding one-off pieces of data.

The Internet is also a good source of information, with many websites providing country profiles detailing national strengths and weaknesses. Various government bodies offer Internet services. Among the many websites providing market-related information, services and links are the following:

• Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) - www.goic.org, a GCC based regional organisation, speciallising in trade information from the GCC

• CONTAX – (www.contaxgroup.com): Contax works with decision makers and business leaders across the entire supply chain in the oil, gas, petrochemical, metals, mining, power and water industries to support customers' Middle East strategies.

• MEED (www.meedprojects.com) is a leading source of business intelligence in the Middle East that helps businesses and individuals maximize potential by providing business intelligence across print, online and specialist events

• SIS International Research (www.sisinternational.com) is a global Market Intelligence firm providing comprehensive research services and strategic analysis of information. IT conducts Market Research, Business Intelligence and Competitive Intelligence for over 50 industries in over 120 countries.

• The Business (www.thebusiness.co.uk). Global business magazine covering UK, Europe and world markets, banking, transportation, politics, utilities, natural resources, technology and telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors.

• Financial Times (www.ft.com) - Carries features on markets and industries, including services.

Sector-specific information or market intelligence reports can be developed by DEDC on request. Typical information could include that on the following areas:

• Macro environment (business & economy conditions, government, law, Foreign ownership & licensing requirements, technology, ecological)

• Market analysis and competitor analysis (market definition, market size, market segmentation, industry structure and strategic groupings, Labour availability, supply chain, competition and market share, competitors' strengths and weaknesses , market trends)

• Consumer analysis ( nature of the buying decision, demographics, buyer motivation and expectations, loyalty segments)

You will be able to get market entry restrictions information on the commitments made under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) from the website of the World Trade Organization, www.wto.org.

In the U.A.E, the WTO Enquiry and Contact point for Trade in Services is: WTO Division, Ministry of Economy and Commerce, P.O. Box 901, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Telephone: (9712) 6265 000, Telefax: (9712) 6260000, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .